Motorhome Sledding. Tips and tricks?

[MikeMetzger]

So I bought a motorhome recently, and the main reason was so I can use it for sledding and stay up on the mountain over the weekends etc. I was curious what kind of tips/tricks people use or know about that will help me get my "set-up" dialed in before the season.

Such as how do you dry your riding gear without stinking up the RV with 2stroke smoke smell?

Anything people do to keep their water pipes from freezing?

And anything else thats a good to do know before I head up there for a weekend and destroy my new purchase.

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Coldfinger]

Not going to be much help here because all I have is a toy hauler for 3 season use, but a few questions come to mind that someone else may want to know...

Is it rated for 4 season use?
Do you have an enclosed trailer?

 

[tudizzle]

Depends how long you want to stay in it and how important a shower is.

Easiest safest route is to run them dry..maybe throw some antifreeze in the black tank and still use the toilet. If you live in a warm enough climate to empty after a trip. Then you can just use bottled water for everything during the trip.

Some campers will run fine as is....depeding on how the water is routed. leave a faucet dripping to prevent freeze up. But without preppin you always run the risk of freezing.

You will usually have a hot spot in a camper...maybe a back corner...or bathroom. if your lucky the bath room Then you can just put an expandable shower curtain rod across the inside of the shower and use that as a dry room boots at the bottom. dry room with a drain.


If you want running water and want to guarantee no freeze, you will need to add extra insulation to the tank...lines. Depending on what temps you will be camping in. YOu can add heat blankets to the tanks and lines. Not overly expensive but it can eat up some power. Keep the cabinets open at night...fun a faucet

 

[LM.]

You didnt state what MH you purchased. Hopefully you bought one with the 4 season package. You will want to make sure that all your water lines are insulated & or have heat tape on them. You can also add heat pads to your black & gray tanks to prevent them from freezing. If your coach did not come with that the tape and pads you can add them. They are a huge draw on your batteries so you will want your generator running when you use them. Keep front window curtins closed to help insulate. The front windows do not help with insulation.

If your rig is a diesel you can run your generator for several days to keep your basement heaters running to keep everything thawed out. I have run my generator for 9 days straight with no problems. You can supplement your heat with space heaters, or blue flame heaters. Also your propane tank can be set up to run an outside propane tank attachment. Just keep in mind, that you will burn thru propane very quickly, if you use the coach furnace over a blue flame heater. Crack a window or vent to keep moisture down on the inside.

Dry your clothes in the trailer with your heater in there if you have one. Other wise your humidity level is going to be high in the coach.

If your just going out for a weekend, you should be ok for propane on a full tank. Just regulate your heat use so your not running your furnance while out ridding. Set it to 50 or so.

I have used my coach in -15 below temps. With no problems. I have had night temps down into the low 20's with out freezing up. Lower then that I need to turn on the generator and the basement heaters to keep everything thawed out.

I would also get yourself a set of cable chains just in case the roads get really slick. My coach weighs 32,500 pds. I have had it slidding one time. It gets your attention really quick. Your just along for the ride. Full size chains may not clear your wheel wells. That is why I suggest the cable chains as emergency only.

 

[4GR8X]

So I bought a motorhome recently, and the main reason was so I can use it for sledding and stay up on the mountain over the weekends etc. I was curious what kind of tips/tricks people use or know about that will help me get my "set-up" dialed in before the season.

Such as how do you dry your riding gear without stinking up the RV with 2stroke smoke smell?

Anything people do to keep their water pipes from freezing?

And anything else thats a good to do know before I head up there for a weekend and destroy my new purchase.

Thanks,

Mike

Greetings Mike,

Check out the two links below on winter time camping.

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=314733&highlight=camping

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86690

Have fun, Craig.