Winter Camping Advice

[WestCoast]

Great question about max load when down...and 4-5 inches of snow can weigh a lot or a little...depends on water content...out here 5" of snow is fluff and weighs very little..

Was good to hear you could lower the top with 1,000 lbs snow load...that would break my neck! I put my head against the front board to control lower the top..

Phil

The thing is if your using the heater and only have 5” on top of the camper, it’s the water slurry that develops you might not notice. This compacts the snow and weighs much more than 5” of snow by itself. I’ve come back at noon and noticed a slight bowing to the roof with just 6” on top.

 

[PokyBro]

Randonneur,

I did get a chance to try out the tarp method of protecting against snow accumulation, however to be upfront, it was not in a heavy snow storm. I believe it will work, just the same, and using a tarp, secured to the truck, is an effective way to remove the snow easily, and prevents ice build up on the camper roof. Here's a couple photos of a snow storm I was in, while elk hunting in Colorado. You never know how bad they're going to be, so I just proactively prepared. Again the idea is getting the tarp over the roof, snug it down with ropes, and when you feel you need to remove the snow, you can either slide the whole tarp to one side and the snow and ice will fall off as you go, or you can throw the ropes back over the top and sort of peal the snow off to one side as the tarp curls over itself. What I like best about it is you don't have to climb a ladder in wet, icy conditions, so it's safer than climbing a ladder. With two people getting the tarp up over the camper it can be done relatively easy, by tying a rope to two corners on each side, and throwing the ropes up over the roof to the other side, and then pulling the tarp up into place, and tying it off on the truck or the camper at the jack mounts. Of course you can't open vents, and your solar panel is covered up, but it isn't much use during the snow storm anyhow.

Poky

 

[Wallowa]

The thing is if your using the heater and only have 5” on top of the camper, it’s the water slurry that develops you might not notice. This compacts the snow and weighs much more than 5” of snow by itself. I’ve come back at noon and noticed a slight bowing to the roof with just 6” on top.

Yup...I mentioned that possibility, then there is chance of an ice layer...gets complex quickly...wonder if windshield de-icer would damage the outside of a FWC?

Same question folks...how do you prevent the water systems from freezing during use in very cold temperatures?

Phil

 

[Wallowa]

Randonneur,

I did get a chance to try out the tarp method of protecting against snow accumulation, however to be upfront, it was not in a heavy snow storm. I believe it will work, just the same, and using a tarp, secured to the truck, is an effective way to remove the snow easily, and prevents ice build up on the camper roof. Here's a couple photos of a snow storm I was in, while elk hunting in Colorado. You never know how bad they're going to be, so I just proactively prepared. Again the idea is getting the tarp over the roof, snug it down with ropes, and when you feel you need to remove the snow, you can either slide the whole tarp to one side and the snow and ice will fall off as you go, or you can throw the ropes back over the top and sort of peal the snow off to one side as the tarp curls over itself. What I like best about it is you don't have to climb a ladder in wet, icy conditions, so it's safer than climbing a ladder. With two people getting the tarp up over the camper it can be done relatively easy, by tying a rope to two corners on each side, and throwing the ropes up over the roof to the other side, and then pulling the tarp up into place, and tying it off on the truck or the camper at the jack mounts. Of course you can't open vents, and your solar panel is covered up, but it isn't much use during the snow storm anyhow.

Poky

Thanks for explanation and photos; jack mount plates a great idea for tying off...tarp also gives some added insulation and stops wind....but of course also stops venting inside..only my front slider window in the Hawk would be exposed..two roof vents = nada. Always trade offs....


Poky...I see you are using the sink, drain hose attached. Did you use the on board water system? If yes, how did you protect the system from freezing? Thanks.

Phil

 

[PokyBro]

Phil,

I don’t have an on board water system set up yet, so I was using a five gallon jug inside, and it had some freezing.

 

[Wallowa]

Phil,

I don’t have an on board water system set up yet, so I was using a five gallon jug inside, and it had some freezing.

What were high and low temps during that hunt while you were using FWC? Thanks again.

Unfortunately I may be flying up a dead end canyon on trying to use the water system in really temps..

Phil

 

[PokyBro]

Phil,

Not sure how low the temperature got, but in mid October it wasn’t to bad, but definitely below freezing, maybe 20 degrees F.

 

[WestCoast]

Yup...I mentioned that possibility, then there is chance of an ice layer...gets complex quickly...wonder if windshield de-icer would damage the outside of a FWC?

Same question folks...how do you prevent the water systems from freezing during use in very cold temperatures?

Phil

I use an insulated water jug made by Stanley

https://www.campsaver.com/stanley-adventure-water-jug.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA-qDTBRD-ARIsAJ_10yLPUvnCeX6OBTA2Rjd-Rs-WDZdghU1YsquIdfzkTJlLgFgsoNiwuyMaAjNrEALw_wcB

 

[Randonneur]

Wallowa- I got the Shell- no water system for just this reason- I didn't want to mess with frozen water lines.
Pokey- Thanks for the photos. I like this-- I'll try to rig up some Blue Tarp and see if it works.