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Permanent winter living in Coach

Good day,
I realize there have been multiple conversations and suggestions along this topic but I want to delve into this again in hope that
others can understand and perhaps offer suggestions on this topic.
Sorry for the length of the comments and article but I want to ensure I have covered everything....

-I am intending to take up residence in my 1998 U320 with no slides from apprx October until May in Canada.
-The temperatures here will range between 32 F to -31F.  ish.... with snow!!
-This will be in a proper RV park with flat and level spots, stable 50, 30 and 20 amp outlets located at each site along with winter prepped water outlets and sewage facilities at each site.
-My coach will be leveled, and then put on 8 stands for stability and to take the worries off the air pressure/air compressor issues off the air system (will drain the air out as much as possible)
-The water system will be winterized as my intentions are to utilize the facilities at the site. This will alleviate concerns of freezing up the pex pipes and pump etc. ( I will still use small portable heaters in the wet bays and storage compartments on thermostats monitored from inside the coach as a precaution)  (MAYBE SUGGESTIONS ON WHETHER I EVEN NEED TO WINTERIZE THE WATER SYSTEM????- I am paranoid of something failing and freezing up rendering my AH dead...I just did a 8000.00 replacement of the AH coils last year)
- I am using a No freeze water and sewage hose. The sewage will only be dumped when required although I will keep the hose extended and heated. The water hose will only be "in case" as the system will be winterized.
-The Aqua hot will be used for coach heating, and will be be serviced before taking up residence. (I will also have on hand a spare jet, fuel filter and thermostats etc for backup.)
-Because I will be required to top up diesel tanks every so often (Thanks Rudy for comments on AH fuel usage) I will be pouring some Power Service Diesel Fuel Supplement + Cetane Boost (winterizer/antigel) in the fuel with each fill. (There is service that comes around to fill tanks occasionally)
-Air skirts will be installed below the coach along with tire covers to keep the under body warmer.
-Outside window covers will also be installed on the front and front side windows.
- Inside, I will use silver thermal sheets on the windows, 2 electric de humidifiers, along with all the blinds being closed.
- I have read the fridge (Dometic 7832) is ok at those temperatures (maybe someone can chime in on that) and no insulation will be required on the outside vent. (The ice maker is disconnected and capped)
- The roof will be routinely be swept from snow (mainly because I have a King sat dome which is my source unit for Bell tv here).
-Tires will be slightly over inflated to allow for loss over the winter.
-New insulation in the engine compartment is be re done prior to winter.
-Generator will be serviced and ready if required due to power outages.

Thanks for your time reading this!
Please chime in if you think I have forgotten anything. I welcome any suggestions!!

Regards
Peter

Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Permanent winter living in Coach

Reply #1 –
We have two catalyst propane heaters for backup. They produce almost zero CO so are safer than any other unvented heater. We have two new Chinese diesel parking heaters (one installed) but it's been too hot to try them.

Quote: Catalytic heaters oxidize natural gas, propane and butane flamelessly, emitting medium to long wave infrared energy (3.5 – 7 microns). A platinum catalyst forces combustion below the gas ignition point (1400 Degrees F) generating surface temperatures of 600 – 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.  Since the reaction is totally flameless, there are no NOX emissions associated with open flame gas systems. The byproducts of the oxidation process are carbon dioxide, water vapor, and trace amounts of CO.


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

Re: Permanent winter living in Coach

Reply #2 –
Pierce,
Are these heaters you mention exclusive for in coach use or do you use them for auxiliary heating of the bays?
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Permanent winter living in Coach

Reply #3 –
Even with glo plugs on your generator I would install an oil pan heater. I prefer the pad style that sticks to the pan but the one that goes down the dip stick tube works also.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Permanent winter living in Coach

Reply #4 –
What Mike said is a good idea and if the power is off and the engine is -30 f 0 I would cycle the glow
plugs at least 3 times. I know at -0 f I need to cycle the glow plugs once before I let the starter turn
the engine over.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Permanent winter living in Coach

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Peter –
Pierce,
Are these heaters you mention exclusive for in coach use or do you use them for auxiliary heating of the bays?
Peter,

The cayalytic heaters are off of FB Marketplace and used for tents, rooms, RVs, etc. Made by Coleman, etc. I've read that dust can damage the platinum so they should be covered when not in use. Some are very small, others larger.

The diesel heaters are like the ones here: diesel heaters for sale | eBay . About 1/3 the size of the OEM propane heaters and 1/4 the weight. Lots of reviews on YouTube. For sale on ebay. Parts are interchangable with the German models but less than 10% of the price.

Photos of both types of heaters can be posted.

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

Re: Permanent winter living in Coach

Reply #6 –
You need to check the refrigerator. Certain models have a low ambient temperature switch as the cooling unit can freeze and stop working. I turned on the low ambient temperature switch and never had a problem even at-20f with a 20 mph wind. One of my friends had his freeze and stop working. When he got to warmer weather it started working again.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Permanent winter living in Coach

Reply #7 –
red tractor...good to know. Mine has the ambient switch and I will certainly use it.
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Permanent winter living in Coach

Reply #8 –
Just a quick question, why not just run your Aqua hot?
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Permanent winter living in Coach

Reply #9 –
I will be running the AH for coach heat. My fear, is that if I also keep the water system active, and have an episode where my AH fails (especially when I am away and such) that the water system will freeze and destroy my AH and all the pex tuning, water pump etc.
Wish I could be 100 per cent sure that everything would be ok, but at least if the AH fails with the coach heat, my thermostatically controlled electric heaters will come on and provide some heat in the coach.
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Permanent winter living in Coach

Reply #10 –
You might also cover the grills for the radiator, rear engine hatch, and ac, to help with cold wind under the bed.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Permanent winter living in Coach

Reply #11 –
When we were in the cold in Nebraska for 2 winters , I carried a complete Webasto burner with me. I figured that way if the one quit, I would install the spare.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins
 

Re: Permanent winter living in Coach

Reply #12 –
One year we got 4x8 sheets of insulation (about $10 a sheet) and put it around the coach,over the basement doors,when you want
to get in just move the board and cut spots for the water heater etc.,plenty of ways to fasten it.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.