DA Rv
San Diego, CA, USA
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Joined: 09/14/2003
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Need your help, we are looking for a 32 or longer Class A to camp in the snow. What
Company is the best?
Donna glfdiva@sbcglobal.net
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wny_pat
Western NYS
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Joined: 08/11/2007
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Triple E and Monoco is known for being well insulated,
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Dave D.
Snohomish, WA, USA
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Joined: 02/19/2004
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We're happy with our Gulfstream. Heated basement, extra insulation, double-pane windows, dual furnaces. We are up at the ski area Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon all ski season long.
The only thing we don't have on our entry/mid-level pusher is automatic chains. If you can find a rig with automatic chains (mid/upper levels have them) they are really, really nice to have.
One more thing -- make sure you have hydraulic jacks. Electric gear-driven jacks can get stuck once frozen in place. I've seen it happen.
2005 Gulf Stream 8356, 350 Cat; new pictures coming
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fordsooperdooty
Orange Kounty Kalifornia
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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Winnebago, in addition to being one of the oldest rv manufacturers, with over 50 years in business, builds one of the best insulated RV's made. The top 5 Motorhomes have R-21 roofs, R-13 walls and floors...they use a superior R-Value block foam, a one piece fiberglass roof, heated holding tanks, insulated thermal windows and even heated underfloor storage compartments! Rated to zero degrees. (21R roof and R9 walls and floors are considered to be "Artic or Polar" Level insulation.)
This is our 7th new Jayco in 30 years! Loved 'em all!
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RayChez
Barstow, Ca. USA
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Joined: 09/13/2003
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I would say your upper class GulfStream coaches are pretty well insulated and have heated compartments, heated black and gray tanks, double pane windows.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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Joined: 08/19/2003
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Hi,
I have a Bounder RV and it was said that they can camp in 0F weather and with enough propane will do fine. I have dual pane windows, the basement where the tanks are located has a 2" heater hose to near the tank drain valves.
When dry camping in 20F weather I did not worry about the tanks freezing, and I normally will use my Olympic Catalytic heater. This requires leaving a roof vent open about 1/2" and a window cracked open a bit to let in some fresh air, but the 6,000 Btu portable gas heater keeps the RV toasty warm. I do run the furnace a bit to keep the basement warm too. Above 20, I don't need to run the furnace if the catalytic heater is on. Or near 55, I run the furnace instead of the catalytic heater.
You might also want to get an adapter to use compressed air to get the water out of the lines. You will also need to remove the drain plug from the water heater when winterizing, but skip the step of adding anti-freeze to the fresh water lines in between trips, if there is air in all the lines. Do add some anti-freeze that is drinking water safe to each drain trap though. And make sure the water pump is run dry for a few seconds and that the outside shower is also empty of water before storing the RV without the heaters on.
If you will visit campgrounds during the winter travels, a couple of portable heaters with a quiet fan and thermostat are handy. I find they do not wake me when they run, much quieter than the RV furnace. Also you can put one on the dash just before leaving camp to clear the windshield and warm the drivers area.
I used 3 heaters when living in the RV in Portland Oregon. Kept them on low most of the time, and had to shut them off to use the microwave or coffee maker.
Good Luck!
Fred.
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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Joined: 12/07/2000
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According to RV service tech's Newmar's are about the top of the heap for insulation. Newmar doesn't make a big advertising deal out of it. In Yuma or Quartzsite in 95° weather we did just fine with ONE 13,500 heat pump running. We have dual pane windows and the optional (now standard I think) roof insulation package.
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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Joined: 06/30/2004
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Another example of which ever brand I own. I'd say any MH with a AquaHot system will do just fine,,,like my Monaco.
04 Monaco Dynasty 42' quad slide
Where am I?
How I tow.
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GrumpyandGrandma
CIncinnati, OH
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Joined: 02/02/2004
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Good Sam RV Club
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I don't think "snow" is the issue as it depends on where the "snow" is. If you are talking areas in the West that get snow and then warm up the same day just about any of the better units will fit your needs. If you are talking extended "cold" (below 32) temps that is when I would really be selective. We had an 2001 32' Jayco Designer that served us well even when a couple nights got down to 13 and never above 35 during the day. Even spent a couple Feb weekends in a Standard Starcraft Fifth wheel years back in Northern Illinois with no issues..
The only "extras" we used were a heated water line and an extra electric heater in the coach.
Grandma in front of her retirement home..
She lets Grumpy drive!!
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mcewena
Canada
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Joined: 02/20/2006
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fordsooperdooty wrote:(21R roof and R9 walls and floors are considered to be "Artic or Polar" Level insulation.)
LOL by who? The marketting department? R12 walls won't even pass inspection for new stick homes in southern Ontario 
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