Advice? Reassurance?

[Marie]

I need a little advice, or maybe I'm just looking for reassurance! Sometime in the first part of December, I will be leaving Missoula Montana, traveling south on I-15 to the desert Southwest.
Easy trip! I've done it several times! However, this time I will have to spend one, possibly two nights in extremely cold conditions! (Depending on road and weather conditions, and my ability to stay awake!)
I've got a 1995 Dodge van, a Little Buddy heater, lotsa blankets, and a general understanding of cold weather camping. I have Triple A Roadside Assistance. I also will be traveling with two little, older dogs, and a cranky cat. I do my absolute best NOT to drive at night
If my van, and myself, were a tiny bit younger, I probably wouldn't worry, but we aren't. I probably shouldn't even worry now: it's only 1 or 2 nights, we'll muddle through, use ALL the blankets, pee RIGHT BEFORE going to bed so there won't be any middle of the night emergencies, start the van up for a while if it gets REALLY cold, get the Little Buddy going if it gets REALLY cold...
But I still worry. Does anyone have any words of wisdom that you will share with me? Thank you.

 

[GotSmart]

Get a harness for the cat.  Don't worry if it gets dramatic and falls over at first,  It will get used to it.  That is the only way you can keep track of Grumpy.

 

[Almost There]

Micro fleece long thermals both top and bottom and a fleece hoodie saved my butt (and other parts of my anatomy... ) when sleeping outdoors in a hammock in 30F weather. I also had a pair of MaxHeat socks..pretty ugly colors but they actually have an R factor rating. I got all my thermals and the socks at Marks WorkWarehouse.

A pure wool blanket will be warmer than any other blanket of any weight and fleece on it's own is pretty warm.

Pick up a pair (or more) of those hot hand things in the camping department. I shoved one down the back of my thermals to my tailbone...wonderful heat.

If you've got a Nalgene (I don't trust much else) you can fill it with hot water, put it in a heavy sock and use it for a hot water bottle.

The other tricks that cold weather campers use are to eat something warm and high carb just before bed and or do some exercises. I've never tried them because sweets aren't on my menu and well, just because calesthenics is a 4 letter word isn't it... :angel:

Let the dogs in under the cover (not so much a cranky cat... ) and let them help keep you warm.

 

[rvwandering]

You'll be fine. Just take your time and don't drive if the road conditions are bad. You are well prepared for the trip and weather. Keep in touch with all of us and let us know if you run into any problems.

 

[WriterMs]

Hi Marie,
I'm sure you have provisions for using the bathroom INSIDE your van, right? Though I really understand how miserable it can be to get out from under the warm covers on a very cold night even if not having to leave your van. Last year, I stayed too long in Montana and the October nights got extremely nippy for any pre-dawn ventures out of bed.

Almost There has some wonderful ideas -- especially I think for the instant heat hand and body warmers! For only a couple of nights, it would not be terribly expensive to have several on hand. Put one or two inside your bed near your feet and have a couple of others handy for other places.

You likely know the signs of hypothermia and the little test of touching your little fingertip to your thumb tip -- since you live in Montana. I really don't think you'd let yourself get that chilled but if you know the signs you can get your Mr. Heater turned on right away.

Looking forward to seeing you at RTR.

 

[66788]

Being basically a whimp when it comes to cold, I keep my Olympian Wave 3 heater on all night long when the temperature drops below 50 degrees. Last night it was 32 degrees F and I was a toasty 65 in the van. I love that thing!

 

[rvpopeye]

It sounds like you're well set up for the cold.
Dash heater . check
Mr Buddy . check
Blankets . check
Dogs , check
Kitty , check (get the harness+leash)
Drive days , snuggle up nights .
And YES , don't drive in bad weather , wait it out !
You'll be fine.

 

[buckwilk]

Road conditions are a direct result of weather conditions, keep an eye on the long term and 10 day forecasts. It's not at all unusual for a chinook to hit at any time for a few days or more. That warmer weather is much better for traveling. Do not, under any circumstances, leave when expecting bad weather and try to outrun it. Look at ways to stay away from high altitude passes. Fill your gas tank at every opportunity, regardless how much you think you have left, fill it. Lots of water onboard, for you and the little guys. It is just as easy to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Don't forget a car charger for your cell. Maybe you can make a connection with some of the ladies on this board who may be on your route and willing to give you a driveway should weather hammer the area you're moving through. PM is the way to do that. All that said, I'm sure you will be fine and you will see some spectacular scenery on the drive. Take care Marie

 

[Marie]

Thank you so much for the awesome ideas, reminders, and support! This was just what I needed!

GotSmart, I am going to do the harness thing IMMEDIATELY!!! If I SHOW up at RTR with scratches all over, everyone will know why! But I'm gonna win!!!

Almost There, those are FANTASTIC tips! The hot hand things especially. I'm gonna get some in Missoula before I leave!

Tonyandkaren- thanks for the support! I needed that! I might be calling on you for advice again!

WriterMs, yes on the inside potty system! First order of business when I set up my van! I'll be careful of hypothermia - always a danger in this frigid part of the world. Thank you so much.

66788, at some point should I upgrade to that kind of heater you mentioned? My Little Buddy will have to do for now. PS: nice to know another weather wimp!!!

Thanks, rvpopeye, yes, so far the list is compete! Cat harness next on the agenda!

Buckwilk, all awesome advice! I have decided to get a special app for my phone that specializes in 10 day forcasts. That should help. Monida Pass can be kinda scary, and there are a couple others. But I'll be on I-15 all the way down - seems safer, right?

Thank you all!

 

[Patrick46]

I see you're coming down I-5, but if you come down the coast, you can park in front of my shop for a night or two.


btw...my daughter was a Grizzly! We love Missoula!!

I'm married to a Marie. Good Stock!

 

[Rugster]

A number of years ago, I went to a KLR meet/camp out in January. It was unseasonably cold, with lows in the low 20's forecast that weekend and not warming up much past 40 degrees.

I went anyway but my friend and I decided our cheap sleeping bags were probably not suited for 20 degree weather so we rode over to the Walmart and went shopping. I bought a $10 fleece liner. It was not very thick but I decided to give it a try.

It got down to 20 degrees that night but I was almost too warm with that fleece liner and the cheap sleeping bag. That liner was awesome and for $10 you couldn't beat it.

That might be something to look into.

 

[Marie]

Oh that's tempting, Patrick46, tempting!!! It would be an awesome trip, it would be awesome to meet another Marie, oh, and good to meet you too! However, I've made the trip from here to the coast. It's not something I want to do in winter! Thank you so much for the offer and the reply! Will you be at the RTR?

 

[user 2252]

Sounds to me you got this covered........

 

[flying kurbmaster]

sounds like you are prepared and all the advice has been good, someone mentioned the high passes and I am sure you already know I would add that I avoid high passes late in the day and early morning, I once went through a high pass late one day on my scooter found myself in the middle of a snow storm in July. It was a long few hours of slow going and freezing rain, sleet, black ice. It was so cold and miserable and all because I was pissed off at the price the campground wanted to charge me a few hours earlier in Jasper. The next day I was so mad at myself as I exited my 165.00 room. live and learn :huh:

 

[Marie]

Good thought, Flying Kurbmster! I hadn't considered that! Apparently I also need to be careful about getting mad and having it bite me in the butt, right??? Thank you for your help!

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]I have done the Great Falls to Florence, AZ trip in January a number of times and it can get cold (-20°F).  If you have some flexibility, you can plan your trip around warm spells.  The only place I had trouble was Monida Pass, where we were stopped for a day because a semi had overturned (twice in 10 trips).  Have the Montana, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona DOT road conditions sites bookmarked and check them often.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]The two older dogs will also need to be kept warm.  If they won't/don't sleep with you, hot water bottles in their 'nest' will help.  I imagine the cat would need help too (not a cat person).[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]If you run the van and/or Little Buddy heater (with proper ventilation) while sleeping, please have a CO detector.  A propane detector wouldn't hurt, either.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]If you have the time, side trips through Bryce and Zion parks is spectacular if there is snow on the ground.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]One trick I learned mountaineering: if you have to get up during the night, close your sleeping bag.  It will keep the heat in while you are up and you don't have to rewarm the bed.[/font]

[font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif]-- Spiff[/font]

 

[akrvbob]

Lots of really great tips so far, but let me share one more tip that I think is very important. Keeping your head and neck warm is a top priority but I can't keep a hat on at night. I've tried hoodies but boy does that do a job on my hair.

What works for me is a fleece blanket that goes above your head, back by your pillow. Pull it down over your head so it covers everything but your nostrils and mouth.. Pull it down around the top of the blankets and around your neck and shoulders so cold air can't sneak in through the to p.

If it's extremely cold, get a second fleece blanket above your head and pull it down further so it actually covers your neck and mouth. Your breathing will get it wet but the other blanket will keep it up off you and it should stay dry next to the rest of your head and shoulders.
Bob

 

[Marie]

Spaceman Spiff - thanks a lot for the info! I know Monida, and it can be AWFUL! I just put those bookmarks on my phone - thank you.

My dogs INSIST that we all sleep together. That's good for all of us. I'm not a cat person either, so I was very surprised when Kitty also insisted on sharing my bed. Oh well - the more the merrier (and warmer).

I do not have those detectors, so I'll only run the heaters when I'm awake. Thank you for the warning! Next trip I'll get them.

GREAT tip about closing the sleeping bag! I never would have thought of it! I'm very appreciative of yours, and everyone's help.

PS: I lived for a winter in Black Eagle, in a travel trailer, parked on the street in front of a friend's house. My husband was being treated at the cancer center. That was a very rough winter.

 

[Marie]

Thank you, Bob. I can't keep a hat on when I sleep either. That's a wonderful idea about the blankets. With the 2 blanket system it wouldn't feel like you were suffocating either, because nothing would be up against your nose. Great plan! Thanks again! I'm beginning to think I might actually live through this!

 

[speedhighway46]

CRVLers:

Ten years ago I "discovered" fleece. Even to this day, this stuff amazes me in terms of the insulating properties and warmth it can provide. Years ago I used down sleeping bags to stay warm . . . fleece is more efficient. Plus, after it gets dirty, throw it in the wash and clean it; can't do that with wool or down. Fleece gets even better after a few washings; gets more "fuzzy".

Down to abt 30 degrees, in addition to my Buddy heater, I use a fleece mattress cover, and a couple of fleece blankets; plus a pair of fleece "booties" I made to keep my feet extra warm. When I know its going to dip lower than 30 degrees, I fire up the 12VDC fleece blanket I bought at a truck stop for $30 or so. I thought this made-in-China was going to be a real POS, but it has surprised me in both its performance and durability. I never gets that "warm" to the touch like regular electric blankets, but provides a low heat level to supplement your body heat. I can run it all night long with little effect to my house batteries.

Fleece is truly amazing stuff! I went to Field's Fabrics and bought a whole bolt of blue with little yellow rubber ducks on it; every night I chuckle a bit before dozing off!