Winter travel....(attn: Tom S.)...

[fwernlein]

I thought it might be worthwile to start a new thread on this topic of
winter travel. I would like to hear other opinions/experiences and
any cautions.

I have had my bus through 2 winters, and use it for skiing trips and
other winter travel in VA/PA/NY. Some hook-up camping, most dry-
camping. Most of my experience is in the low teens as far as low
temps.

Over the road: I have not had any big scares in snow/ice, I keep it
slow and reasonable(not hard in an FC). The bus can skid, and inspite
of the big weight, momentum on ice can surprise you. The bus stays
toasty with the chassis heat. We feel very safe and comfy.

Camping: I have two modes (wet water lines OR dry) 1: WET: I keep the
fresh water tank filled as I expect to need it and I use on board
water. Basically, this is normal camping 2: DRY: I use bottled
water for sink and toilet flushing, thus only have to mess with
draining the waste tanks. I do not "dewinterize" the water supply
system. No showers...but you can maintain clean hands and face. For
either: I keep either rock salt or pink anti-freeze in the waste tanks.

I run the generator typically for breakfast and dinner (microwave and
top off the batts), perhaps 30-45 mins both cycles-and always run long
enought to full operating temp. At night, I run the propane heaters,
usually deciding to use one or two based on the temp. forcast. Never
needed all three going. My goal is to keep both the family AND the
bus body interior warm (to prevent interior line freezing). I keep
the access door in the bath vanity open at night. I have run two of
the propane heaters with just batts overnight w/o problems (I have 6
6vt. golf batts). I do have an aux. CO detector that I installed.

Main engine...I use the water block heater, and have battery blanket
heaters. Never had a cold start issue with the 3208. Typically, I
start the main at the end of my AM generator run...

I think my biggest exposure to potential freezing problems is being
out of the bus for a extended time w/o electric hookup. If parked and
unattended/unheated...say for over 6+ hours, I would think the
interior temps would drop enough for line freezing if they
were "wet". This I try to avoid during below freezing weather.

Frank
85FC33
Woodbridge, VA.