Heating an RV?

[bluedawg]

Hi,
My name is Mary Murphy. I have gone back to school at 50 to get my bachelors is Medical Technology. A career which promises job security and employment anywhere in the country. So it is said. My dream is to rent out my house, buy an RV and live minimally out of the RV. This way when I transfer to SUNY Upstate in Ithaca, NY, Next year, I can live out of the RV and when I graduate I will already be mobile so I can go anywhere in the country I wish to search for work.

My concerns is how do I heat an RV in the winter? I hear Ithaca is very cold. Is this a major flaw in my plan? I hope you can give me some tips.

Thanks you so much for any advice you can offer, Love the site. it is a plethora of information.

best,
-Mary

 

[Almost There]

Welcome to the forum Mary.

Yes, Ithaca is cold in the winter. Cold is all relative though so if you're a southerner you'll likely find it almost arctic cold. To someone from Alaska it will be balmy.

You're going to need somewhere to park the RV for the winter so the first step IMO, would be to find a park that is open all winter - a lot of the northern parks aren't. Maybe check to see if you can find a mobile park that has permanent residents rather than an 'RV park'. Make sure that the combined cost of lot rental and your utility bills aren't going to be more than the smallest apartment you can live in and with, would cost you.

RVs and travel trailers vary greatly in their ability to be lived in over a northern winter so the next step is to find which ones will be most practical for that use BEFORE you go shopping for one.

And then, finally, there is a lot of information to be found here on setting up your mobile home so that you can remain warm and cozy in it over a winter. When you're ready for it, we'll help you find it. There's no need to go in to all the 'ins and outs, whys and hows' before you have the rest settled.

It is possible but it involves figuring out how to keep water lines running, reducing condensation and keeping your floor and feet warm...

 

[RollinWOT]

Welcome Mary, I'd say, make sure to keep your RV well insulated. Make sure there's no holes in the bodywork, make sure the flooring and walls are in good shape, and bring blankets, dress in layers, and you can even buy portable space heaters. Just remember, if you decide to use a space heater, YOU MUST follow the directions to a "T." They need so much "breathing space" and have to be situated so far from walls/ground levels as well. Also, try to park in the sunshine during the day so it keeps the vehicle warm. Cheers!

 

[cyndi]

Welcome to the CRVL forums, Mary!

One thing is for sure you'll have to winterize your tanks and haul water in and out by hand. You won't be able to flush your toilet or shower. It can be done, but it's no fun,in my opinion.

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips & Tricks" post lists some helpful information to get you started. We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[SoulRaven]

I just barely survived two winters in a travel trailer in the Poconos and I have permanent health problems because of those -20f winters.

It's like living in a wooden matchbook in a deep freezer while hauling water and then the sewer line freezes solid.

In a conventional structure with a basement the space under the floor is 40-50 degrees. In an RV it is whatever the outside temperature is at the time.

 

[akrvbob]

After a divorce I loved in a box van for 6 years in Anchorage Alaska. Because the box van was a blank slate I heavily insulated it and had two heaters and I stayed comfortable.

After 6 years my son wanted to live with me and so I bought a 24 foot travel trailer and put it in a trailer park with full-hookups. Because I couldn't insulate it I was stuck with the factory insulation--it was miserable!! The worst year of my life! The first cold snap the plumbing froze and never thawed even though I had insulated the lines and had heat tape.

We finally figured out how to stay warm by buying 500 watt heat lamps and putting them aimed at the floor by our feet. That heated our lower body and the heat rose to keep our upper body warm and we were dressed warm anyway.

I had bought the heat lamps to thaw the pipes under the trailer and they just wouldn't thaw because it was -30.

By the way, I had used 2 inches of styrofoam to make a skirt around the trailer. It was worthless and did no good at all.
Bob

 

[bluedawg]

OK, Thanks everyone - I can see this is not the solution I am looking for. I have a parrot and she is a number one priority for me. She would not be able to survive in an RV in the winter if I could not keep it reliably warm. So I guess I'll wait 'til I graduate then get an RV so I can explore southern routes in the winter and northern in the summer until I find where I want to live.

 

[Almost There]

OK, Thanks everyone - I can see this is not the solution I am looking for. I have a parrot and she is a number one priority for me. She would not be able to survive in an RV in the winter if I could not keep it reliably warm. So I guess I'll wait 'til I graduate then get an RV so I can explore southern routes in the winter and northern in the summer until I find where I want to live.

We all hate to be the downer on someone's plans but truthfully a winter in Ithaca in an RV is something I would never even think about!

While you're working on your degree there's no reason why you can't do some extended trips camping out and learning how to live on the road. You might just find your new home while doing that.

Also, there are so many choices of vehicles other than an 'RV' - stick around and start reading, we have people living out of or in everything from a Prius to a 40 ft converted school bus. Each of us has chosen our choice of vehicle based on our own wants and needs. It's often very interesting how each decision has been reached.

 

[eDJ_]

Could you not live in a southern state and go to school while living in the RV ?  Florida has some good schools
and if you live in  "St Petersburg, Fla" or below it the winters are mild and there are decent schools in that part of the world to pursue your schooling.

 

[Suanne]

...Next year, I can live out of the RV and when I graduate I will already be mobile so I can go anywhere in the country I wish to search for work.
My concerns is how do I heat an RV in the winter? ...

Do you plan to drive the RV while living in it in the winter?  That is, will you have other transportation?

If you don't have to drive it, you can rent out a space with electricity with enough amps to power some heaters or heating lamps.  Then, insulate the heck below the RV.  My BIL lived in the oil fields of ND for a couple of winters in his Class A.  He put straw bales under it, then concrete insulating blankets as skirting. 

He did have problems with varmints using the warmer space under his RV for shelter.  He ended up putting a baby camera under there to watch and try to figure out what was making the noises.
I also think he put heating lamps under it at times to keep his lines and tanks from freezing, even with all of that insulation.  Of course he had several heaters going inside his rig as well.  He says he was plenty warm.

The other option, as others have mentioned, is to put RV antifreeze in your lines and tanks, then carry- in the water you need, and use a bucket for bathroom duties.  This is what you'd need to do as well, if you drive your RV during the winter.

Also, they make "Four Season" types of RVs which are made to withstand more extreme temperatures.  Be sure to research those before you make your purchase.  Unfortunately, I don't know the specifications.  But, a quick google search on "four season rv" will bring up some options for you to research.

Another option would be to go south to a warmer climate to complete your studies, if possible.  Are there online classes you can take during your winter semesters?

Suanne ... who has become a snowbird herself.

 

[my_vantasy]

I'm so glad to read that your parrot is #1 with you, and you won't do anything if it would have a negative impact on her. You're a great pet parent!

 

[ZoNiE]

Ithica is wicked cold... You will want at least a true 4 seasons RV, but it will be tougher to keep the water system from freezing than keeping warm.

 

[jimindenver]

Mary

Welcome to the forum. I am glad you asked before learning the hard way about RV's and winter time. It can be interesting reading about what people either have to do to their rigs, or what they go through because of the cold.

 

[LoupGarou]

Mary

Focus and finish school first. The best investment you'll ever make is in yourself. In the mean time you can downsize your possessions and fine tune your new lifestyle.

 

[VJG1977]

I took  a look at three RV parks around Ithaca and they were only open from May to October.  The monthly fees were also as much or more  than a one bedroom apartment.

 

[bluedawg]

Truth is, I can probably finish school around here (Either Hunter or Mercy) and then go exploring. As LoupGarou Says I'll focus on downsizing and fine tuning my new lifestyle in the meantime, then I'll be better prepared. I was just excited about getting started and thought if I went to school in Ithaca that would be an excuse to go ahead and do it but I did not foresee the cold issue. I'll be patient finish school then start living the life I want to live

 

[LoupGarou]

Put together a list of classes and stick it to the refrigerator door and cross them off after finals. There will be times of frustration when you will pound on the steering wheel after a final yelling, I knew the answer to that question.

Keep telling yourself.....focus and finish!

 

[Canine]

I live in Montana and have much the same problem to deal with. I've greatly reduced my water needs so I don't need a giant holding tank that I need to insulate and fill every week. I use 10 gallons of water a week at the most. The average person uses 9.1 gallons of water per day just for flushing the toilet! I shower every day with a modified weed sprayer and use a bucket toilet exactly like the one in the Humanure Handbook.

I can handle carting 10 gallons of water a week to the camper. It's a small price I pay for being mobile. Dumping the very small amount of grey water is nowhere near a chore, either. No holding tanks for this dude.

Check out the forums for ideas on how to be frugal. It's much easier to keep jugs of water in a liquid state than in traditional plumbing. That plumbing also reduces insulation, increases thermal breaks, and increases convection. Getting rid of plumbing is a huge step toward being able to live comfortably in the cold.

Since you have a parrot, your heating requirements need to be more precise. If electricity is a concern, the electron-frugal the PlatCat could be a good choice. It is a catalytic heater that is vented and has a thermostat. A thermostat is important for your fine feathered friend.

There is specific information on how to better insulate an RV. Even the true 4 seasons aren't insulated like I think they should be. No matter what you do to insulate an RV, though, it wouldn't be as good as if you insulated a box yourself.

 

[bluedawg]

Ahhh, Montana... that's where I ultimately want to live. I'll buy a small home there once I find my spot, and live happily ever after


I live in Montana
CanineI live in Montana and have much the same problem to deal with. I've greatly reduced my water needs so I don't need a giant holding tank that I need to insulate and fill every week. I use 10 gallons of water a week at the most. The average person uses 9.1 gallons of water per day just for flushing the toilet! I shower every day with a modified weed sprayer and use a bucket toilet exactly like the one in the Humanure Handbook.

I can handle carting 10 gallons of water a week to the camper. It's a small price I pay for being mobile. Dumping the very small amount of grey water is nowhere near a chore, either. No holding tanks for this dude.

Check out the forums for ideas on how to be frugal. It's much easier to keep jugs of water in a  liquid state than in traditional plumbing. That plumbing also reduces insulation, increases thermal breaks, and increases convection. Getting rid of plumbing is a huge step toward being able to live comfortably in the cold.

Since you have a parrot, your heating requirements need to be more precise. If electricity is a concern, the electron-frugal the PlatCat could be a good choice. It is a catalytic heater that is vented and has a thermostat. A thermostat is important for your fine feathered friend.

There is specific information on how to better insulate an RV. Even the true 4 seasons aren't insulated like I think they should be. No matter what you do to insulate an RV, though, it wouldn't be as good as if you insulated a box yourself.