Heating in my van needed at RTR?

[sabice]

I will be attending the RTR for the first time this year. Is a heater needed? My DIY van is insulated but wondering what others experiences are. New to travels in the southwest, RTR will be my first trip to the area in Jan. Thanks for any experience shares!

 

[rvwandering]

Welcome to the CRVL forums sabice! Be prepared for cold weather. Some years it's been sunny and warm other years, rainy, windy and cold. Not snowy, freezing cold but cold enough that you'll want a hat and gloves. As long as you have a good sleeping bag or down comforter and warm clothing you'll be okay.

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

 

[bullfrog]

A lot of it will depend on what your body is used to. I am used to warm temps so I use a heater when I go. The desert gets cold at night but I'm fine sleeping with plenty of layers, it is when you first get up or overcast windy days when I am inactive that I get cold. Depending on which way you come to the RTR it can get very cold, especially me as I come through Flagstaff where temps have been single digits I will definitely use the heater if that is the case this year!

 

[MrNoodly]

The current 10-day forecast shows days in the 50s and nights in the 30s. That trend might change by mid January. Of the five RTRs I've been to, three were shirtsleeve weather, one was rainy and one was chilly.

 

[wagoneer]

I find clothing to be my first go to in the "keeping warm" topic. will be using the Wave3 for everything else. just be ready for whatever comes your way. Long Johns??? I look for the first sun to come over the ridge with a warm cup in my hand and a wool cap on my head.

 

[highdesertranger]

yes it all depends what you are used to and how fast you acclimate. oh welcome. highdesertranger

 

[Wabbit]

Hi Sabice and welcome. Can you handle 32°f lows? Possibly cooler. If so you'll be fine. Gloves and hat for mornings and late evenings and a few blankets or good sleeping bag for sleeping.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Here is a look at the upcoming weather in Quartzsite:

https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/az/quartzsite?cm_ven=localwx_10day

 

[lenny flank]

The current 10-day forecast shows days in the 50s and nights in the 30s. 

Ack! For a Florida boy like me, temps like that would make me curl into a fetal ball and cry.

We shiver if it gets below 75.

 

[bullfrog]

Yes it takes me about 2 months to "acclimate" and I'm usually looking for someplace warmer after a week!

 

[sabice]

Thanks to everyone for your replies! You've given me some great tips for planning my trek to the WRTR and RTR. I'm a knitter/spinner so plenty of wool to pile on! I hadn't purchased a heater for the van yet but believe I'll do it now for this trip to be prepared. I live in No. California so we've got some cold weather right now...acclimation shouldn't be too bad.

FYI: 2016 Dodge Promaster 2500, so far DIY build and about half finished?? Solar, lights, bed are in. Next steps are kitchen counter and more storage. Very happy to be coming to the WRTR and RTR this year!

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Ack! For a Florida boy like me, temps like that would make me curl into a fetal ball and cry.

For a Northern Minnesota boy that's t-shirt and sunscreen weather 

 

[dawnann7]

For a Northern Minnesota boy that's t-shirt and sunscreen weather 

For a Canadian gal, too! 

 

[highdesertranger]

it's not only the temp but also the humidity. way back when I lived in Huntington Beach, CA. and I would travel to the high desert. it would be like 20-50 colder in the desert a night, but when I would return home it was warmer but much higher humidity and I would freeze the first couple of nights. highdesertranger

 

[lenny flank]

For a Northern Minnesota boy that's t-shirt and sunscreen weather 

Every winter in Florida I'd see tourists from up north walking around in shorts and t-shirts, while we locals were wrapped in sweaters shivering.  

 

[lenny flank]

HDR: My teeth were chattering during my first night in the desert. I thought deserts were supposed to be HOT, dammit.

I broke out my cool-weather sleeping bag even though it was 102 during the day.

 

[Moxadox]

If you're in NorCal you should be fine in Baja AZ! It's usually much dryer than NorCal, so even when it's cold it doesn't feel as cold (but the wind can be fierce). Also the sun is usually shining, which makes everything better IMO :-D

Layers are essential. Bring a daypack because you will be peeling off layers as the day warms up, then needing them back on again after about 4 p.m.

A heater is nice for those chilly mornings. The cool nights are great for sleeping, but you may need a hat to keep comfy in your bed.

So far it's been a cooler than usual December here on the southern border, but who knows what January will bring. One year it was in the 90s in January. Bring layers.

The Dire Wolfess

 

[sabice]

Still figuring out this "forum" think...where to reply, HOW to reply! LOL!! Thanks much Moxadox, appreciate the tips, especially about dayback, hat for bed, layers...nice.

 

[MrNoodly]

I thought deserts were supposed to be HOT, dammit.  

Yeah. Deserts are about lack of precipitation, not necessarily about heat. Antarctica is a desert.