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11-16-2007, 03:16 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Palmer
Posts: 1,526
M.O.C. #7893
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Arctic Camping Anyone??
Any one have experience with true Arctic camping? We just purchased a 3650RK with subzero package here in Anchorage, AK. Temps are currenlty around 25 degrees F but will fall drastically. We will be fulltiming in Northern Alberta, Canada where temperatures should be below zero for several weeks. Any thoughts / suggestions are appreciated. BTY, I will be working full time in Alberta for several years.
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11-16-2007, 03:43 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Olahoma City
Posts: 1,219
M.O.C. #6054
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With temps that low I would definately look into skirting for your unit.
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11-16-2007, 04:08 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Palmer
Posts: 1,526
M.O.C. #7893
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I thought the same thing. Any suggestions on constructing or where to purchase? I am familiar with house skirting, but not sure how to attach to an RV.
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11-17-2007, 04:03 AM
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#4
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Crown Point
Posts: 382
M.O.C. #4726
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I don't know how familiar you are with these rigs so I would suggest reading some of these comments posted on this thead.
Living in your Montana this Winter? by SKOOBDO
Hope this helps
Chuck
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11-17-2007, 05:17 AM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location:
Posts: 608
M.O.C. #6162
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It might be worthwhile to invest in a dehumidifier as you will generate quite a bit of moisture in a closed, heated trailer.
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11-17-2007, 11:10 AM
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#6
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: St Johns
Posts: 434
M.O.C. #7691
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Having spent time in Northern Alberta I would definitely put skirting around even if it is foam backed plywood. The average temp during the winter is -12F. It can get down to -40 or more with wind chill. A block heater in your truck is an absolute necessity. When it snows pack it up against your skirting to provide additional insulation. Try to get southern exposure on your big window side and leave your shades up during the day and let the sun add its warmth to the trailer. You can wire additional insulation to the underside of your trailer using chicken wire to hold it up. We have arctic living units designed to be brought in by helicopter. Inside we have several bales of fiberglass bats that are placed on the ground before we lower the unit in place. Without the insulation the floors of the units get moist with condensation.
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11-17-2007, 12:32 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Palmer
Posts: 1,526
M.O.C. #7893
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Thanks MacDR50. That is good information. The temperature you stated is about what we expected. It is actually warmer than where we are coming from - the Alaskan bush.
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11-17-2007, 01:06 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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Sounds like a interesting adventure.. Let us know if you live through it...
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11-17-2007, 02:51 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
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Also a given that you need to make sure that you have some sort of block from the prevailing winds...
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11-17-2007, 03:20 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Eastern
Posts: 1,155
M.O.C. #7270
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What richfaa said.
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11-18-2007, 12:46 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Clearwater
Posts: 10,917
M.O.C. #420
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Arctic Camping???? BBBBRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!! The closest I want to be to Arctic Camping is right here in west central Florida thank you very much. Gets much below +35° around here and I am on my way to the FL Keys. Don't even want to think about - 40°
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11-18-2007, 02:21 AM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lake George
Posts: 1,078
M.O.C. #3847
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by lwcdg
I don't know how familiar you are with these rigs so I would suggest reading some of these comments posted on this thead.
Living in your Montana this Winter? by SKOOBDO
Hope this helps
Chuck
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IMHO-I don't think these rigs are designed for temperatures that go that low continuously. SKOOBDO lived in hers in the winter, but it wasn't as cold as that. Sreigle lives in his in Kansas and it does get cold there. However, not that cold! Like Rich says, "let us know if you live through it." Like Glenn say "BBBRRRRRRRrrr!!!"
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11-18-2007, 03:53 AM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Casa Grande
Posts: 5,369
M.O.C. #6333
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Having spent 14 winters in Alaska, mostly Anchorage, but one year on the western coast, I can't even imagine attempting to stay in a travel trailer during the winter. My hat is off to you if you make it. Hope you own shares in Tesoro or Holiday. It will be a great challenge to do what you are contemplating. Good Luck!!!!!
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11-18-2007, 04:42 AM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Fort Myers
Posts: 5,933
M.O.C. #4282
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Also, as you will go through a bunch of propane, make sure you have a propane company set a 100# tank (or two?) and then run off of that.
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11-18-2007, 08:56 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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By "subzero package" are you referring to Keystone's "arctic insulation package"...the one that has "tested and approved features?" If so, I would not count on it to help much where you will be. These trailers are extremely drafty and cold, and IMHO, not meant to be used in your part of the world. I would not even consider living in one in the northern US, much less Alaska.
Good luck and keep us posted.
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11-27-2007, 04:18 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Bum F Egypt
Posts: 979
M.O.C. #2733
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I will be working out of my Montana this winter but I hope not to the extremes that you'll be in! I already have added extra insulation to the belly and have ALL fresh water line heat taped and wrapped with foam, a most in cold weather. Don't think I'll have to go with skirting but it will save on heating cost!
I'm looking at heating pads for the tanks and is something you should look at.
http://www.ultraheat.com/index.html
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12-01-2007, 03:36 AM
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#17
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chugiak
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #6752
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I have another problem. I am in north central South Dakota and the temperture here at night dips down below freezing. When it gets below 20 degrees the pipes inside the coach freeze. Have others of you experienced similar problems and have you found a solution.
I have 2007 3500RL.
Thanks,
Jim
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12-01-2007, 04:07 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Weeki Wachee
Posts: 814
M.O.C. #7219
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Yep, I've had the pipes inside coach freeze while I was using it. I've found if you open the cabinet doors its helps a lot.
A ceramic heater pointed in the direction of the frozen pipe also helps.
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12-01-2007, 04:49 AM
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#19
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New Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chugiak
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #6752
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Illini Trekker
How did you get to the enclosed water pipes to tape and insulate them? Did you do anything special to “convenience center that provides access to all major exterior plumbing functions and enclosed dump valves?” Have you considered leaving an electric heater in the storage area? Any other thoughts would be appreciated. We are currently parked in a blizzard.
PS Anyone:
Our 2007 3500 RL is advertised to be operational at zero degrees (Artic Package). Do you think this is realistic?
Jim
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12-01-2007, 06:56 AM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Jim Pooley
Illini Trekker
PS Anyone:
Our 2007 3500 RL is advertised to be operational at zero degrees (Artic Package). Do you think this is realistic?
Jim
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They "tested" these rigs for "four season living." If you reread the propaganda, I don't think you will find where they say that the trailers will be "operational at zero degrees." I, for one, don't want to be the guy that tests them at zero.
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