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Traveling in colder weather questions

 So....traveling from southern Idaho to Minnesota and along the way will be in the mountains.
 Do I need to winterize my rig before leaving? (I would prefer to have my shower, bathroom etc. During my trip)
 Also wondering if it's ok to have the furnace on while driving?
 I'm new to all of this so any help Is appreciated! Thanks in advance.
1994 U240 3116 Cat 6 speed Allison transmission

Re: Traveling in colder weather questions

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Brettforfreedom –
1. Do I need to winterize my rig before leaving? (I would prefer to have my shower, bathroom etc. During my trip)
 2.Also wondering if it's ok to have the furnace on while driving?
1. No If it is comfortable for you inside the water system in your 240 will be fine
2. Yes it will keep all thins comfortable while traveling.
We traveled a lot in the winter in our 240 (when I worked the winter was the best time for vacation) and never had a problem in freezing temps.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Traveling in colder weather questions

Reply #2 –
There is cold, and there is COLD! I it depends a little bit. I recommend getting a digital thermometer with 5 remote sensors. They sell cheap on Amazon. Keep a few of the sensors in critical places like the water bay. Temps dropping below freezing and -20 are very different animals for water lines freezing :) I traveled last winter in the coldest week of the year ( the week that killed Texas) and I kept everything winterized and used antifreeze to flush the toilet.

So when are you traveling to MN?

Re: Traveling in colder weather questions

Reply #3 –
Good idea when traveling in super cold temps to keep your fresh water tank as full as possible.  Two reasons:

First, wherever you end up parking each night the shore supply water faucets might be frozen and don't work.

Second, once you get that big tank of fresh water in your coach warmed up (to 50-60 degrees or so) it provides a nice "Thermal Mass" to keep the rest of the wet bay warm and operating properly.  See below:

Water as Thermal Mass: Liquid Thermal Mass - Earthship Biotecture

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Traveling in colder weather questions

Reply #4 –
But if you live in the mountains and travel in the mountains, the amount of full tanks of water, diesel, propane will, in our case, be over 10 percent of the weight of the coach the way we normally travel. Taking an extra 2000 plus lbs up every hill uses a lot of extra diesel. This is without even considering the grey/black water tanks.

The propane furnace will keep the tanks from freezing with the extra hose going down into the bay.

Try adding 10% to your weight over Thanksgiving and Xmas and see if you don't notice it when doing almost any activity. Nice hike down to Yellowstone Falls and back up at 8000 feet.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Traveling in colder weather questions

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
The propane furnace will keep the tanks from freezing with the extra hose going down into the bay.
True, as long as you don't mind having the furnace on.  Some owners don't like running the rear furnace at night (too noisy).  Sometimes it's really cold outside, but the interior of the coach is warm enough so you don't need or want the rear furnace running.

Agreed, lighter is most always better for performance.  CC said "Simplify, then add lightness".

In extreme cold conditions, paying extra for more diesel and losing a bit of speed going uphill may be preferable to broken water pipes.

Every coach owner should DWMYH.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Traveling in colder weather questions

Reply #6 –
Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Watch the 10 day forecasts for the places you will be. You do not want to freeze pipes.
1993 U225 Build #: 4285
500 Watts Solar
Honda CRV AWD
Former 1981 Foretravel Travco
Retired, Full Time Off Grid Snowbird

Re: Traveling in colder weather questions

Reply #7 –
The key thing about the 240 is the water pump and surge tank along with related piping is under the couch (in the living compartment not in the basement). With the propane furnace located in the same area it keeps this area up to temp.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."
 

Re: Traveling in colder weather questions

Reply #8 –
Quote from: nbluesky –
There is cold, and there is COLD! I it depends a little bit. I recommend getting a digital thermometer with 5 remote sensors. They sell cheap on Amazon. Keep a few of the sensors in critical places like the water bay. Temps dropping below freezing and -20 are very different animals for water lines freezing :) I traveled last winter in the coldest week of the year ( the week that killed Texas) and I kept everything winterized and used antifreeze to flush the toilet.

So when are you traveling to MN?
Leving at 4am!
1994 U240 3116 Cat 6 speed Allison transmission