Is the Alde up to the task of winter camping?

vito

Even though my T@b is winterized and sitting quietly for the winter season, I wondered about whether or not the Alde can keep the T@b warm enough to use for winter camping. I mean real winter, where snow is on the ground and temps stay below about 30 degrees. The Alde could run on electricity while driving, and on shore power at a campground. Would it be able to both keep the T@b warm enough to be comfortable and keep the water lines and holding tanks from freezing? My main thought was that if we chose to go south for awhile, we would have probably two days in the cold winter climate before we got far enough south to no longer worry about freezing, and I wonder if the T@b would survive. I guess another solution would be to leave in winterized until we arrive at our southern destination, then re-winterize before heading home. But could the Alde do the job?

Nomad

There's a couple other similar threads on this somewhere.
First, I'd not have fresh water on board when it's consistently below freezing. The Alde may keep the internal pipes from freezing but definetly not anything external. I'd have it in winterized mode.
Last year, before I could head south, I was stuck for a week in 40/27 degree weather and then a week in 10 degrees with a stiff 30mph wind. I was winterized and carried water internally. The Alde did fine the first week but not the second. With all the little cold air leaks from the AC and fridge vents I couldn't get much warmer than 55-60. If one had vent covers one might get better. I didn't dewinterize till I got south far enough where I had consistant above freezing temps.

Bert

We ran the Alde on propane at a Forest Service campground in Montana a couple of weeks ago and were quite toasty at 30 degrees F. The air conditioner and fridge vents were not covered. We kept the 2016 Tab Outback's ceiling vent and one window cracked to prevent condensation inside the trailer. It was windy out, but we were in the shelter of trees.

ChanW

Vito, we've camped at 5 below zero Fahrenheit before, with no problem keeping the Tab warm. It was cozy.

I wouldn't trust the plumbing to stay thawed, however, and the outside holding tanks will definitely be at risk.

Nomad

There ya go - Fine for some, not others - In other words, "your mileage may vary"

jkjenn

Agree with the consensus on liquids. I camped with snow, below 20 degrees last winter (backyard) to test it out and I was nice and cozy. some like to cover the a/c and fridge vents. I like a little fresh air so I don't and I leave the roof vent cracked to avoid condensation.

Verna

I've ordered one of the A/C vent covers from Elsie because I remember those cool winds in AZ last winter coming in through the A/C. Of course, I'm sure I'll be warmer in the T@B than I was in the Silver Shadow. I may even have a trick up my sleeve for the fridge vent. Hang onto that thought for a week or so.....

Nomad

ChanW - 5 below, on propane, elect. or both?
Verna - I made a sabel style ac cover yesterday. Was pretty easy.

ChanW

PXL, we probably used both propane and electric, in fact I remember needing to keep the exhaust vent clear of snow, so yes. But now, skinflint that I am, I'm thinking I'd try to use electric as much as possible in the future, cuz the electric was already paid for (Ontario Provincial Park campground).

Verna

PXLated said:

ChanW - 5 below, on propane, elect. or both?
Verna - I made a sabel style ac cover yesterday. Was pretty easy.

What kind did Sabel make?

Nomad

Verna - sabel posted pics within the last week or so but I've searched and can't figure out which thread they were in - msg sabel and he can probably direct you to them. Only took me 15-20 minutes and probaly cost $10 bucks.

Verna

PXLated said:

Verna - sabel posted pics within the last week or so but I've searched and can't figure out which thread they were in - msg sabel and he can probably direct you to them. Only took me 15-20 minutes and probaly cost $10 bucks.

Oh yeah, the plastic yard sign. Gotcha. Thanks.

Nomad

Verna - Yep, that be the one ... I used industrial strength velcro like sabel but if I redid it I think I'd use the velcro version of 3M Command Strips - Easier to remove if necessary.

Michigan_Mike

PXLated said:

Verna - sabel posted pics within the last week or so but I've searched and can't figure out which thread they were in - msg sabel and he can probably direct you to them. Only took me 15-20 minutes and probaly cost $10 bucks.

Taken from THIS thread.  

Nomad

How did you find that - I spent 15 minutes looking.

Verna

Thank you!

vito

My question about the water lines freezing was on the assumption that I would de-winterize before leaving my home, so that enroute we could use the sink, shower, toilet at campgrounds. But I guess if I want to winter camp I should just leave it winterized, use shore power for the Alde to keep us warm (especially at night), and just not use any of the water related items in the T@b (sink, shower and toilet). 

Nomad

Vito - I wouldn't dewinterize till you get into warmer temps. If you carry some water jugs and put some rv antifreeze down in your dump tanks, you could use the sink and toilet though - I did. You can run the Alde enroute on propane so it's not completely cold when you stop and hook into shore power.

Nomad

Rereading the thread I see I'm the only one that actually stated a room temp - comfy, toasty, etc. are kind of fuzy - what room temps were you actually able to maintain in below freezing temps?

Nomad

Vito - Here's how I carry extra (internal) water...
http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/630/for-every-ledge-theres-a-purpose#latest

ChanW

PXL, we don't usually have a thermometer in the Tab, but hanging out in our skivvies, sipping wine, watching a movie, while the snow settled quietly on the roof at 5 below, sez it was warmer than 70 in there.

PXLated said:

Rereading the thread I see I'm the only one that actually stated a room temp - comfy, toasty, etc. are kind of fuzy - what room temps were you actually able to maintain in below freezing temps?

jkjenn

ChanW said:

PXL, we don't usually have a thermometer in the Tab, but hanging out in our skivvies, sipping wine, watching a movie, while the snow settled quietly on the roof at 5 below, sez it was warmer than 70 in there.

PXLated said:

Rereading the thread I see I'm the only one that actually stated a room temp - comfy, toasty, etc. are kind of fuzy - what room temps were you actually able to maintain in below freezing temps?

I don't have one, either. As long as I am cozy, I don't care.

Nomad

ChanW - Ahhhh, it was the wine rather than the Alde then :-)

Nomad

Jenn - WHAT? - You've got monitor for everything else but you don't have a thermometer? Get with it :-)

Verna

Even I have an indoor/outdoor thermometer!

Nomad

Verna - Yep, that's what I have. Been standard equip wherever I've lived.

jkjenn

I guess I have always thought that it didn't matter what the temperature was as long as I was comfy.

Nomad

Jenn - You mentioned you sleep with a window open even in winter and love snow/cold so it appears you're the exception on temp rather than the rule so I'm taking your "comfy" with a grain of salt :-)
As a general rule I think it's considered 68-72.

mickietucs

Verna said:

I've ordered one of the A/C vent covers from Elsie because I remember those cool winds in AZ last winter coming in through the A/C. Of course, I'm sure I'll be warmer in the T@B than I was in the Silver Shadow. I may even have a trick up my sleeve for the fridge vent. Hang onto that thought for a week or so.....

Verna - does the a/c vent cover work on the S T@B? How do you plan on putting it up? I know Jenn suggested rare earth magnets.

jkjenn

PXLated said:

Jenn - .. I'm taking your "comfy" with a grain of salt :-)
As a general rule I think it's considered 68-72.

Most do...I keep my winter thermostat between 62-64.

ChanW

PXL, probably the wine, the company, and the dog...