Am curious what everyone thinks is the best truck camper for winter camping. We've got a 2011 F350 diesel long bed, and like to go snowmobiling in the winter. There are some great spots here in Colorado with know hotels nearby (Creede etc). Am curious how these things hold up when the mercury goes down.
Have you heard of Olympic Catalytic heater? I have a 6,000 Btu model that keeps my 30' Bounder toasty warm when it is above 30 outside, and I run the furnace a bit below that temperature.
They do not use any electricity, and require a window and roof vent be slightly open to let in fresh air, let out the fumes. Olympic brand does not make nearly as much CO (a deadly poison) as other brand heaters, and it is safe to use at night, many use them while boondocking.
The small confines of a camper would be heated well with a 3,000 Btu model. My problem is how to keep the RV cool enough when it is only 55 or so outside, and setting the heater on low is not cool enough, I have to leave the roof vent almost wide open to keep the temperature down, or else shut it off, and then it will get really cold in about an hour.
SO when it is around 55 I normally just run the furnace and keep it about 65 inside, that does not take to much battery power.
Solar panels are really nice for dry camping. In Colorado, they get extra amp hours due to the bright sun at the higher elevations.
SunElec.com is one place that sells solar panels for a great price. I don't know how suitable each brand is in RV use, but you can get a great price.
SOlarONSale.com is where I bought my pair of 120 wat solar panels back in 1999. I also have a 50 amp controller, and other goodies on my RV.
Artic Fox claims their campers are "true 4 season campers" with R-18 insulation in the roof & R-7 insulation in the walls.
Eagle Cap has a better "R-17 in ceiling, R-22 in the floor and R-11 in the wall, plus Thermal pane insulated windows, 1” insulated baggage doors, easy access winterization station, full ducted basement heat and a 30,000 BTU furnace are all standard."
Lance has R11 insulation value in the floors and ceilings and R9 everywhere else.
My posts shouldn't be taken for factual data. They are purely fictional, for entertainment purposes and should not be constituted as actually related to scientific, technical, engineering, legal, spiritual or practical advice. Amen.
WE have used slideouts and a non slide. The non slide works better for us . It is a lot easier to heat and you dont have climb onto the roof to clear snow/ice off the slideout in order to close it. I have observed the slide awnings in use by snowmobilers and they make it more difficult to remove snow and ice once it gets blown under the awning. If you choose a slide model, make sure it can be fully used with the slide IN .
Mid dinette floorplan makes a warmer place to sit opposed to sitting next to the door. They tend to leak cold air , we have to cover ours with a H.D. drape. Use double pane or storm windows. Make sure you bring a hair dryer in case you have a pipe freeze, dump valve freeze or a propane regulator freeze. WE use a non slide Lance and its very warm to -30F but that's w/o water, dry camping. Adding a few minor mods we have used ours with water to about zero F. PM me if you need more detailed info. Good luck and be safe , Bob .
Good tips above. Expect problems from the cold. No matter what the manufactors claim you'll have freeze ups,etc. These aren't made for long term cold camping.
I camped in sub zero,low teens,single digit temps but only for the weekend (one night or two) and was back home were temps got above freezeing most days. So I thawed out enough to dump and thaw lines. Hate to think of having to stay for extened periods. Dry Camping would of been in order. Propane also doesn't flow very good outside. Allow for that. Bed gets very cold from air flowing up thru mattress. A sleeping bag helps to crawl into during very cold nights. A solid foam mattress may work better. Or a bed heater type for the mattress if you got 120volts.
2011 F350 Super Duty,SRW, 6.7 PowerStroke,Crew Cab,Lariet,4x4, 3.55 Locking Diff ,Short Box.Timbrens,Happy Jack's, Gator Guard bed liner, Penda bed mat.
2012 Lance 855S 9K Coleman A/C,Duel Batteries
I never had anything freeze in my Lance TC. The only problem you will have is the storage compartments that go from the bottom of the camper into the truck bed area can not be used for some storage in cold or hot weather. Plus cold air does leak through those cheapo doors.
I've got an Arctic Fox and I believe it does fine in pretty cold weather (4 season Oregon weather) but I'd add a bunch of insulation and covers if I was going to be winter camping weather of close to 10 or below. I'd say a AF would be just fine 20+ degrees without any mods.
Even at 30 degrees our AF 1150 is flipping the furnace on ''alot'' and has a definite warm and colds zones in the camper.
2011 Dodge Ram 3500 4*4 Black dually Laramie 4.10 gears
2011 Arctic Fox 1150 Drybath
2009 Polaris RZR w/fun parts
2011 Polaris Sportsman 550 XP EPS w/stuff
2006 Polaris Sportsman 500 w/stuff
1977 K5 Blazer 1 ton modified
2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid (her car)
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