rphdiesel
Idaho
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Joined: 09/17/2007
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I posted this on the fifth-wheel forum also.
I need some ideas on how to make or buy a insulated skirt for my Raptor. I have seen some that look pretty good and then the people put a couple of heat lamps underneath to keep things from freezing. I will be in the Boise, Idaho area. Also, does anyone know how well Keystone builds Raptors for the cold? It looks as if the tanks are all inside the frame and hidden by the underbelly covering.
Thanks, Chet
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Sherri48
Canada
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"You are not allowed to post the same message in multiple forums without permission from one of the Open Roads Forum moderators"
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jamman
Desert Tortoise Refuge…
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Sherri48 wrote:"You are not allowed to post the same message in multiple forums without permission from one of the Open Roads Forum moderators"
Uh oh.... beat down by the MAN!
As far as how well they are built: They have some insulation in the underbelly but it is minimal, at best. We had our fresh water tank freeze a year ago, and we live in California. I'm sure it get's a little colder up in Idaho... I like the skirt and lightbulb idea.
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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Chet I've seen a vareity of things used, from steel siding, visqueen, to actual custom made RV skirts. A quick google on "RV skirt" came up with many places.
The Raptor isn't really true 4 season RV, we had one and camped in the winter. It did fine, but we had a few issues. You may want to look at getting tank heaters as well. Basic common sense will go a long way, skirting, heated hose wraps, etc. Will you have 50amp power? Are you going to get a larger propane tank delivered to your site for the winter?
When we camped we had 3 ceramic heaters to keep the bedroom, main room and garage warm. We also used the LP heat as that is what keeps the under belly warm as well as the RV itself. I left the cabinets open under the kitchen sink as well.
Good luck in your quest. As already mentioned just one post should take care of you.
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Badhabt
Puyallup, WA
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The tanks are heated via the heater ducts. So simply, if the heater isnt on, no heat to the tanks.
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Rolling Condo
South Carolina
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In my reading and research on winter camping I've found many ideas for skirting such as; using hay bales with a UV poly covering, cutting foam insulation panels to fit, again with a UV poly covering. (In snow areas they pile the snow up around the 'skirting to help seal the area off). In your area I doubt a couple of heat lamps would help with the area to be heated and the prevailing temps. Most have said that they use a small heater with a t'stat under the trailer to keep it warm enough.
If you want to invest in an insulated trailer skirt something like this Curing Blankets might work.
I personally have gotten creative with Reflectix in covering areas not exposed and made 'storm windows' to using 1/8" acrylic sheet and hook & loop tape to hold it in place.
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rphdiesel
Idaho
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Thanks for the ideas. Sorry about the double post. Kinda new to these here parts. What brought me to this forum is a problem with my inverter/converter on the Raptor. I followed the advice that I obtained from this forum and it is fixed, by me, for the cost of the parts and a couple of bud-lights. Darn good deal. I learned about my rig at the same time.
Chet
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RCFlyer
Washougal, WA, USA
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Welcome aboard Chet!
We camped in some 10 degree weather in Pasco our first winter and it was OK, but we used a LOT of propane. We didn't have any special skirt or any mods, just the basic 3712TS. We did have a couple electric heaters to help.
I'd also suggest something to cover the windows, especially at night, as they are all single pane - loose a lot of heat there. My DW has made some covers for the large oval windows near the roof oout of a multi-layer insulated fabric that we attach with Velcro - keeps the light out and the heat in. Also some insulated inserts for the roof vents and an insulated cover over the inside of the AC unit - all the heat ducts are in the floor, so cover all the AC vents in the ceilings.
Our 3712 isn't a true 4-season rig, but with some of the tips you’ve gotten tonight you should be ready to go.
Good luck – give us a post once in a while and let us know how its going and what you’re learning.
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tbusciglio
Philly
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Be sure to ask the campground if they allow Hay bales as some places won't.
I skirted my trailer w/ Plywood and put pipe insulation around the top so it didn't rub against my trailer.
Use Pex tubing with Heat traceing and pipe insulation for your water line. Do not heat trace and insulate the standared white water hose. The ends will heat up and blow off.
Some snow on the roof is OK but brush it off your slide outs. Its amazing how muck snow actually weighs.
You can also get heated pads for your tanks that are activated when it gets below freezing if you wanted extra piece of mind.
Look into alternate methods of propane instead of the 30# bottles. I was going through a 100# bottle in just over a week at the coldest part of winter.
All this is based off of doing a winter in Michgan.
Good luck to you
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Northern Camper
Canada
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I lived in my 3712 through last winter up in Alberta, Canada. I had problems when it dropped below -30 C with a frozen line. I ended up skirting it in with a custom made skirt made of vinyl with an insulating back that attaches with a combination of snaps and turn buckles. You can probably get one made at a good upholstery shop. The place that did mine also did custom covers for boats, specialty leather seats for classic cars, etc.
You have to have run your furnace all the time or you will freeze up as the furnace heats the tanks as well. I found that once I skirted and put a ceramic heater under the front step (as that is where most of the water lines run) it kept the lines from freezing. I also put a heater in the front compartment, after removing all items being stored, which made a huge difference and made the floor of the bathroom and bedroom warm on the feet. If you are going to be in one place for a while you can contact a propane company and they will come drop a 400 lb tank and hook it into your trailer.
My only concern with skirting in the whole trailer was that the vent from the fuel tank vents under the trailer and at times the smell of fuel was strong under the back of the trailer. I would caution against using a propane heater under the trailer as a result.
Also, if you do have a custom made skirt, like I did, have a seam put in on one of the corners of the couch/dinette slide so you can open and access the sewer dump. I did not do this and to get under to hook up or check the hoses was a pain.
I did get to experience many of the highs and unfortunately the lows of winter camping so any help that I can be feel freet to message me directly.
Good luck and enjoy.
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