PBLouie
My Easy Chair
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I am full timing in my 5er now, I just started. I am Living in the Nashville Tn Area. I have checked the Average Lo and Hi temperatures for this area. I understand that those are only averages so it is possible for it to get much colder. I know my rig isn't a full timers fig. So keeping that in mind, what should I be looking for as far as a full timing options on a new 5er.
Iris (My Better Half)
Steve (Me! Not Really Retired)
Skeeter (The Wonder Dog)
Tess (The Bundle of Energy)
2005 Dodge Ram 4X4 2500 Cummins
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi,
Are you planning on living in one place full time in the RV, or traveling around the country? If traveling, do you plan on doing any dry camping? There are a lot of great places to camp in the boondocks in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and California. Many places where the next door neighbor is over that hill, or at least 200 feet away! I am not talking about Wal Mart parking lots either, but out in the woods and enjoying yourself.
If you want to winter in the RV without hookups, then a couple of 120 watt solar panels and a Olympic Catalytic heater will assist in keeping it warm and recharging the batteries.
If you plan on staying put, then what I did was fill my 100 gallon fresh water tank every 2 weeks, and dump the sewage and gray tanks when it was warm enough outside to do so. I kept the drinking water hose empty, and in the basement ready for the next time.
I also used 1/4" thick R-4 insulation, it looks like bubble wrap with aluminum coating, and works well at keeping the cold window air from getting through, as well as blocking light, so I can sleep in until noon!
Good Luck,
Fred.
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sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Moved from 5th wheels to Full-time RVing.
Frank
RV.net blog
For those of you looking for expert advice, here ya go!
Frank
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Rick & Cheryl
Texas
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Joined: 09/28/2007
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I would think about the only add-on that would be super important would be to add a second ac. You can supplement heat with an electic space heater in the winter if needed. You might want to protect your input water line during the colder months.
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johncrazyels
Vancouver/California
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Joined: 12/24/2006
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After six years of fulltiming, we would suggest insulation R-values in the order of 20 in roof and floor. Unless you plan to be in temperatures below 45F for extended periods of time, IMHO, an a/c with a heat pump and a 50 amp power system are a must. A dehumidifier will help with excessive condensation in cold weather. Also, as a fulltimer, be sure your unit has adequate carrying capacity, i.e., depending on the size of the unit, at least 2,500 lb., which usually means 7,000 lb. axles and "G" rated tires.
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orgelmo
Full timing since Mar 2004
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Joined: 02/16/2001
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A very good friend of mine, stays in the PA area all winter, in his 5th wheel, he is a full timer as the 5th wheel is his home, and he is still working. He has heaters on his holding tanks, wrap around heater on his water hose, and makes sure when he dumps the black and gray tanks that he then lifts the sewer hose to make sure that the hose is empty.
He uses electric heater 3 of them to keep warm inside. So far he has not had any problems, he does not winterize. I would think that heated holding tanks, good insulation would be what I would want. The heat pumps, air cond, are only good above 38-40 deg, any lower they do not heat. He has 2 of the oil filled radiator heaters, and 1 that blows the heated air, 65-70 deg all winter.
Elmer & Sharon
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hitchup
Fulltiming in Mount Airy.
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Our son was parked near us last winter in Manassas, VA. He bought a 2009 Coachmen TT and spent Jan thru March. He had only some minor freezeup's when temps hit single digits. We bought him an Extend-a-T so he could use a 100 # propane tanks.
He started a project in FL today, so he won't need to insulate his hoses this year.
2009 DRV Mobile Suite 38TKSB3....our custom home
2008 Ford F450 Lariat CC 4x4......his office
Working Fulltimers since 3/2005
"Shoot for the Moon! Even if you miss it, you will land among the Stars."
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skylos
Issaquah, WA
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Required: Furnace in good condition, plenty of propane.
Anything else is incremental.
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2Rovers
On The Road
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I would also consider double paned windows, some type of heating mechanism for your tank and water line areas. Leave your cabinet doors open where pipes are to allow heat inside. We never use our heat pumps on the a/c's - they are pretty worthless when it's below 45 degrees, but we do keep a couple of Vornado space-type heaters and use one to keep the temp even inside when the furnace doesn't cycle. If we are boondocking, we use the Big Buddy. You could consider the Olympian Wave heater which would save on the use of your furnace.
Someone suggested 50 amp. I agree. This allows you more leverage for adding the space heater etc. If you can specify be sure and ask for as much insulation as you can get. If you don't use a humidifier, leave a roof vent cracked about 2" to allow moisture to escape. Keep drapes/shades/blinds drawn to keep the cold air from entering through the window areas.
Good luck.
I think sometimes we forget that the freedoms we have are freedoms not because of celebrities. The freedoms are because of ordinary people who did extraordinary things, who loved this country more than life itself.
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skylos
Issaquah, WA
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Is there a reason not to use your furnace?
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