RE: Cold weather - specific to TCs
There are a lot of great threads on winter camping in the TC university and forum on this site and the modifications people made so they were comfortable.
For our TC:
Sealed and insulated as much as possible (Acrylic storm windows, reflectex over other windows, AC, skylights, hatches) to keep as much heat inside the TC.
Did what we could to have more battery capacity. Added more battery capacity so the furnace can run multiple days at -10F to keep the TC warm. Bought AGM batteries that charge faster off a generator, can be inside the camper (warmer batteries have more capacity), aren't damaged if frozen when discharged. Converted to LED lighting to use less energy.
Added 2AWG wire from the truck back to the TC to provide non-battery power to the furnace while driving and re-charge the TC batteries.
Use the generator to recharge the batteries, run an electric heater in the basement, run the electric blanket to pre-heat the bed for my girl friend.
Changed to a closed cell latex foam mattress. Warmer, water vapor impermeable and not prone to mildew
After those changes we can comfortably stay out 5-7 days at temperatures around 0F with internal temperature in the 70's when we are inside and the 60's during the day while skiing or sleeping. Batteries last 2-3 days before needing charging. 20 lbs of propane lasts 5 days. Gray tank fills up in about 5 days. Black tank 7 days. Out of water by 7 days (a 20 gallon tank).
Winter camping requires backups, contingency plans and knowing what your capacities are for your TC, as well as having your truck prepared for most cold weather situations. We have two 20lb propane tanks, carry enough gasoline to run the generator (synthetic oil for easy starting when cold) for days to run electric heaters we carry, if the propane furnace fails (the regulator freezes, the autochange over valve fails); we carry down bags, if it all fails. Still on my list is a diesel fueled forced air heater in the basement.
We approached winter camping slowly, used wireless thermometers to see how cold things got at various points inside the TC before we put the water system at risk. Used the battery monitor to figure out how many Amp-hrs are used keeping the camper at various inside temperatures at colder outside temperatures. Determined how much propane was used to achieve those temperatures at various outside temperatures. Actual data, is always better than opinions of what would work for your specific TC.
From the specs on your camper it appears you have a single 30# tank. How far down are you willing to go before you refill it? How will you know? What if the low temperature for the night is much lower than expected? A lot of this can be figured out safely in front of your garage. If you are wrong, you can always run electrical heaters after a low temperature alarm goes off.
RE: Lightweight solid counter tops, where to buy?
Americamper --
The entire interior of my sailboat, the bulkheads, galley and table are made of ultralight weight, 3/8" thick fiberglass reinforced phenolic honeycomb panels that are commonly used in airplane floorboards and galleys (the latter is lighter). Since Airbus is manufacturing in Alabama, you might check what they have surplus.
An epoxy putty was used to fill the edges of the panel, give a rounded edge and then a two part poly ureathane paint was used to finish the job.
Compression strength in the 100's of psi, shear strength around 1,000 psi and a 4'x8' sheet weighs less than 10 pounds, very little deflection when loaded. Amazing stuff
RE: Choosing tough & versatile tires for 2500 CTD with camper
I've been running the Toyo M55 on my dually for the last year. With the window closed, you can't hear the tire noise over the noise of the diesel. With the window open, the creaks and other noises from the TC and tie downs are more obvious vs. the tire noise.
Before buying the M55 I had also considered the Cooper Discoverer S/T Maxx due to their emphasis on the 3 ply casing and the new chip and cut resistant thread compound, as they were ~ 2/3 the cost of the M55. But the decision was made for me while stretching the lifetime of my existing tires, when a rock on a forest service road cut the old tire and a Les Schwab which only had the M55 was the closest tire place.
