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Topic: Winter camping in Val D'Or, QC (Read 993 times) previous topic - next topic

Winter camping in Val D'Or, QC

Hi,
 
I did post my question on Winter camping in Val D'Or, QC - Escapees Discussion Forum

and was recommended to post my question on this board again. 

I am a German, who is used to RVing in Europe and Africa. Now I am going to take up employment in Val D'Or, QC, Canada. As there is currently no house or flat to rent or buy, I was wondering, if I could prepare a 40' diesel pusher sufficiently for winter camping, i.e. permanent camping over the winter there. I do have the option to use the sanitary installations at work for a couple of Sses and would thus not need water in the RV. I am calculating the $$ for propane and electricity against $130 per day for the hotel. In addition, I would have a separate car to move around.
 
Is there anyone with experience of winter camping in Quebec, who could tell me either I am a total nut case or it may be possible, (with which lot of precautionary measures?).


If I could get some opinions, which brand of RV would be best suited, I would be even more happy. 

I hope, this board may be able to give me the answer(s) I am looking for.

Thanks for your help
 
Kurt

Re: Winter camping in Val D'Or, QC

Reply #1 –
Welcome to the board, and I hope some of the experienced owners will answer your questions.

We have done boats in cold weather and know that the biggest problem is moisture inside the coach that condenses against the cold walls.  You might find frost in the cabinets and under beds.  Keeping dry with low humidity is going to be a problem.  My older Foretravel has heated basement storage, and that will help keep the floors warmer, but I have single pane windows and some uninsulated areas in the coach.

Hope you can work out the details and make a coach work for you.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Winter camping in Val D'Or, QC

Reply #2 –
We have camped a few days at a time in temperatures of 0 to 10F (-18 to -12C). We found a low end 37' diesel pusher coach on a dual rail frame chassis to be unsatisfactory. There was insufficient capacity of fuel for the heater to wait out a storm of more than two days. Also, the storage bins below the floor were not insulated well and much of the floor was exposed to cold temperatures.

We now have a Foretravel U295. It is "semi-monocoque" construction. It has a full width basement with insulation and heating. The liquids in the basement are much less likely to freeze and the floor is much more comfortable than in our previous motorhome. Our coach has propane heaters. For extended stays in cold weather, I recommend a unit with the Aqua-Hot heater. It uses diesel fuel for heat and will serve you through extended periods of cold. The Aqua-Host system also provides basement heat controlled by a thermostat in the basement.

There will be challenges with the water supply and water disposal from the coach. Those can be handled with heated hoses and insulation material. We carry a "No Freeze Water Hose" from NoFreezeWaterHose.com. We were able to successfully dump waste tanks in subfreezing weather because the effluent was warm enough to get through the dump hose to the sewer hookup without freezing.

Our coach has double pane windows. It has the original equipment window shades. We did not add additional insulation. In a period of four days below 10F (-12C), we didn't have issues with interior moisture or freezing.

Folk who have spent extended periods of time in cold weather will be able to provide more information. There are likely to be issues that only show up after longer periods of time in cold weather.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Winter camping in Val D'Or, QC

Reply #3 –
Having lived in that region for a few years Here is what I would do; look outside of the city of Val D'Or whit in 30 kilometers there are a lot villages You may find find logging. a lot easier to travel with a 4 wd pic up truck. Back to camping. it get really cold in the winter down to minus 45 Celsius for weeks at time. Call a camp ground ask them your question or to refer to some one who is staying the winter; also call local RV dealer but DO NOT believe every thing they will tell you. It can be done if you are prepared.
niagarachip 
1997 U320  40'

Re: Winter camping in Val D'Or, QC

Reply #4 –
Quote from: niagarachip –
it get really cold in the winter down to minus 45 Celsius for weeks at time.
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!  That is almost the same as -45 Fahrenheit!!!  -42.77777777777778 to be exact.  Down right cold.  In all my years in Berlin, I never saw it anywhere near that cold.  In fact Chip, I live just south of you down in the snow belt and the coldest I've ever seen it here is around -30 Fahrenheit, and that does not happen often!
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Winter camping in Val D'Or, QC

Reply #5 –
No....no, no, no. Period.
Everything will at some point freeze solid...everything, solid.
Condensation inside will be unbelievable.
(our Foretravel is heading south next week...yeah!!)
Living in Alberta and loving it!!!
Vickie Argals
1999 U320 40'