A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

As usual, when I'm stuck in the house, I'm still looking at all types of RV's. Still seems the only real 4-season RV I've found are the Triple-E. (Please post if you know of others )

Since full-timing is still a few years away for me, I've been also looking at mini's just to get away on weekends. Found this one - sure is a cute little thing and love that the roof raises for more headroom & windows. Unfortunately, only seems to be sold in Canada or Oregon.
http://safaricondo.com/alto1713/indexeng.php

Like Crystal's little Daisy teardrop too, but I'd want the wet bath.

Actic Fox, Heartland, Hitchhiker to name a few I know have 4 season packages ... just remember, all 4 season packages are different. And it doesn't mean I'd want to live in one in Canada. I think all Bigfoot rv's are 4 season, but am not sure. There's another manufacturer which includes Class C's and I can't think of it right now ... will add it if I do. And then, there's the 4-season packages many have - just need to know just what it includes, as there are no standards.

Thanks for the other manufacturers Beth. I'll look into those also. I'm not really planning on full-timing in Canada (well, maybe in the summer some time). I started thinking about them again since it seems a lot of the ladies are having some issues with the cold recently, so thought it might be good to look into as much cold pro tection as possible (i.e. insulated and heated basements, thermal windows, etc), instead of having to Jeri rig (sp?) something on my own.

Appreciate the info!

If you're wanting to live in your RV during the winter there are models available to do that. Common issues people are the same ones you'd have at home. Freezing water. The advantage your house has is services are supplied under ground, beneath the freeze line. Since a RV is mobile you don't normally have that option. We get around this by bringing everything inside the heat envelope of the RV. Heated underbelly, tank heaters, dual pain windows, increased insulation packages and using onboard freshwater tanks. Since most people just head for warmer climates these options are not normally fully incorporated into the RV as they had weight, wall thickness and diminish room for other features not to mention cost. Case in point the my RV is a 3 season trailer in all practicality. I do have the enclosed belly and the heat runs through the belly to keep tanks from freezing to a point. I'm comfortable for the early spring or late fall but would not want to winter in it below 30 degrees for any length of time. I only have single pain windows and my dry weight was 10,500# like wise a similar 4 season unit like the Mobile Suite designed for 4 season and full timing, starts around 13,500# dry weight or 3,000# heavier than mine. Put your stuff in it and your 18,500# gross of trailer and heading for one of the new diesel F350's (1 ton dually) or mostly likely a F450 to pull it. Not to mention the Mobile Suite costs 3x what I paid for mine.

There are add on electric heaters so your furnace can run on gas of electric blow air through your duct heating the underbelly as designed. No matter what RV you buy the weak point will always be the water hose and the drain hose freezing. Fill or drain then, put them away.

I know most of you that get caught in the cold are only affected for a few days or so, but wouldn't window insulator kits work on the windows for a little more protection from the cold? For small RV windows, it would be quick and easy to put on and is easy to remove. Also doesn't cost much for a small kit.

(For those from the warmer parts of the country who may not be familiar with this, the plastic sticks to a removable tape that goes around the frame of the window and you use a hair dryer to tighten the plastic so it is totally see-thru.) It really works good to keep the cold out!

Melissa -
All good things to know and think about. It does seem that major things to think about is water lines freezing and keeping them insulated and heated. Sounds like intake and drain lines should be enclosed in the basements and not outside of the rig like most I've seen. The windows don't seem to be as much as a problem and self-insulation can be done as Beth & Barbara mentioned.

Thanks for the feedback. More things to look at when I go to the Chicago RV show in February. I'm planning on going for at least 2 days just so I can really take my time and look at all things mechanical and storage.

To respond to Barbie's suggestions. Most of us do add extra insulation to our windows during the great chill. The not fun part is that your rig becomes a great (or small) dark cave. Doable but those thermal double paned windows would sure help.