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How cold can I go? Headed to Oregon for Thanksgiving.

TomStephens1
TomStephens1 Member Posts: 88
edited December 2015 in Heating/Plumbing & Winterizing
Hi All,

We are planning a maiden voyage in our new t@b next week to Oregon to see my sophomore at Oregon State. The Weather Channel predicts temperature to be in the high 30s or low 40s.  Anyone know if we will be able to stay warm?  Or should we take the hotel route and keep the new camper for the spring?
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Comments

  • Lisa33
    Lisa33 Member Posts: 260
    That's totally doable.  I've camped in temps as low as the mid-20's.  It gets down into the 30's at night in Yellowstone even in the summer.  The Alde will keep you warm and toasty.
    Lisa. 2008 T@DA, previously 2012 6x10 SS. Southeastern PA
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  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,417
    edited November 2015
    You should be able to be plenty warm. One note, the Alde does mot heat up instantly, because it is radiant heat. If you are stopping at campgrounds, use both shore power and propane and it will heat up faster. Once it reaches the desired setting, it will use shore power and the propane will kick off.

    I tested the Alde/T@b last winter below twenty degrees and stayed nice and toasty.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    i spent a week in 10 degrees with a strong 20 mph wind and felt the Alde struggled. Bought a little quartz heater to supplement as I had shore power. Have never had a problem with mid 20s and above but the Alde will run a lot and you'll go thru propane a lot faster than you're used to.
    If you have a strong cold wind, cover your air conditioner and fridge exterior vents. Amazing how much cold air can get in and destroy your heat.
    High 30s to 40s shouldn't be a problem.
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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    Definitely can do it. We camped in Ontario in January? at -5F and stayed cozy.

    As PXL says, the AC should be covered (outside might be easiest), and that fridge vent next to the door should be covered.

    Note, in our 'S' Maxx, I also had to re-secure the insulation board in the compartment at the end of the bed (back end of the Tab) because the wind was coming in there too. Look under the back cover to check it. There's a screw holding the cover down.

    A strong wind coming in these three places was pretty bad, but it made all the difference when those spots were taken care of.
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    Oh, and also be sure to keep the roof vent cracked when you're inside to lessen condensation.
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • mickietucs
    mickietucs Member Posts: 720
    How do you all cover the a/c and the exterior fridge vents?
    Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


    You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

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  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,417
    mickietucs said:
    How do you all cover the a/c and the exterior fridge vents?
    I haven't done it, but think I would get a piece of Tyvek with bubble wrap and either use strong magnets (rare earth) or gaffer tape it to the outside. You could do the same with the fridge cents.

    Personally, I love the cool air blowing in. It's invigorating! Of course, I sleep with my bedroom window open all winter, too.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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  • mickietucs
    mickietucs Member Posts: 720
    jkjenn said:
    mickietucs said:
    How do you all cover the a/c and the exterior fridge vents?
    I haven't done it, but think I would get a piece of Tyvek with bubble wrap and either use strong magnets (rare earth) or gaffer tape it to the outside. You could do the same with the fridge cents.

    Personally, I love the cool air blowing in. It's invigorating! Of course, I sleep with my bedroom window open all winter, too.
    Thanks Jenn - I'll look up getting some of that to have on hand if the wind is crazy and cold on my travels.  I'm a complete wimp when it comes to anything under 50 or 60!
    Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


    You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

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  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    Michele - sabel did it with a piece of corrugated plastic like they use for yard signs and heavy duty velcro tabs - I saw it attached at The Arches. Maybe he will see this and give a little more detail. Stays on while they travel.
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  • mickietucs
    mickietucs Member Posts: 720
    PXLated said:
    Michele - sabel did it with a piece of corrugated plastic like they use for yard signs and heavy duty velcro tabs - I saw it attached at The Arches. Maybe he will see this and give a little more detail. Stays on while they travel.
    That would be super to see what and how it was done. Since you've been in the thick of it when it comes to wind storms, did you do it on either the a/c or fridge vents?
    Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


    You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

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  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,417
    Wow, that looks rather professional!

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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  • sabel
    sabel Member Posts: 283
    Thanks. We'll  have to see if it holds up over winter. So far so good.
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  • TomStephens1
    TomStephens1 Member Posts: 88
    Thanks to all for the great info.  Off to Oregon we go!
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  • kybob
    kybob Member Posts: 232
    Have a great trip! For future reference, I believe the plant sells a snap on cover for the AC. Elsie at Pleasant Valley could tell you. I'm not sure how you would attach the snaps to the T@B.
    2018 Outback S, Silver/Black - 2015 Silver Honda Pilot 4WD - Florence, KY

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  • TomStephens1
    TomStephens1 Member Posts: 88
    Hi All,

    We did the trip to Oregon and everything worked out great.  The Alde heating system kept us plenty warm.  Our best investment, however, was the purchase of the tent and a gas propane heater.  The space in the t@b can be quite confining, but with the tent up and propane running we were very comfortable in 30+ weather. 

    We did have a lot of condensation on the ceiling, but should have read Chan's comments before going and kept the roof vent open.  The worst of it was the first night when we experienced a lot of rain. Oh well, the next time we will know better!
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  • Mr_Mrs_Gnome
    Mr_Mrs_Gnome Member Posts: 241
    @TomStephens1, which propane heater did you buy for the tent?
    '17 Outback S - TV 2016 Chevy Colorado in "Colorful Colorado"
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  • TomStephens1
    TomStephens1 Member Posts: 88
    We bought a portable Buddy by Mr. Heater. One little propane tank lasts up to 3 hours.  I highly recommend it.
    FYI: Best place to buy one is Walmart. We bought ours at Bass Pro Shop for $99, but Walmart carries them for under $70.
    These things are made for tents.  They seem to be very safe.
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  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    Probably the same kind they use in ice fishing houses in MN. Supposedly no CO detector required.
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  • GlennBeck
    GlennBeck Member Posts: 71
    jkjenn said:
    Wow, that looks rather professional!
    My wife and I are going to the foot of the Appalachians in VA for a weekend camp. Temp should drop to 29 tonight.  I'm trying this LTP-G (less than professional - Ghetto) style of AC covering method just to see if it'll work.  I do like fresh air too, so it's just a test to see if it'll work in a dire temp condition.
    Glenn & Annie
    2016 T@B CS-S Max Black on Silver
    2013 Toyota Tacoma V6 



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  • mickietucs
    mickietucs Member Posts: 720
    Glenn - let us know how (if) that works!
    Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


    You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

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  • GlennBeck
    GlennBeck Member Posts: 71
    I will, Michele.  I'm out the door soon and will report back soon.  Campground has wifi so I'll post from there tomorrow.

    Glenn & Annie
    2016 T@B CS-S Max Black on Silver
    2013 Toyota Tacoma V6 



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  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,417
    I have thought if I need to cover for the cold I could use some thick plastic like you use for window sealing in your home in the winter.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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  • GlennBeck
    GlennBeck Member Posts: 71
    I've got the window covering also, but I was going to try quick first to see how it went

    Glenn & Annie
    2016 T@B CS-S Max Black on Silver
    2013 Toyota Tacoma V6 



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  • GlennBeck
    GlennBeck Member Posts: 71
    The Press& Seal worked perfectly.  The team dropped to 27F over two nights with a lot of dampness and frost.  The plastic never moved.  I even repositioned it several times to get it on evenly and still it never failed in three days of temperatures that ranged from 54 to 27.
    Glenn & Annie
    2016 T@B CS-S Max Black on Silver
    2013 Toyota Tacoma V6 



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  • mickietucs
    mickietucs Member Posts: 720
    GlennBeck said:
    The Press& Seal worked perfectly.  The team dropped to 27F over two nights with a lot of dampness and frost.  The plastic never moved.  I even repositioned it several times to get it on evenly and still it never failed in three days of temperatures that ranged from 54 to 27.
    Great! Which size did you get (assume the largest offered so one piece fit over the opening) - correct?
    Michele, Tucson, AZ. TV - '13 F150 & '16 T@Bitha special order.


    You never really travel alone. The world is full of friends waiting to get to know you!

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  • GlennBeck
    GlennBeck Member Posts: 71
    I used the standard(?) 11.8in width and it had over 1/2" overlap top and bottom.  It's as if the vent was made to fit the Glad product.  
    Glenn & Annie
    2016 T@B CS-S Max Black on Silver
    2013 Toyota Tacoma V6 



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  • Michigan_Mike
    Michigan_Mike Member Posts: 2,858
    I'm wondering if the "press & seal" would hold in a thin piece of cardboard (for added insulation) if that was cut to size over the A/C grill pieces?  Great idea nonetheless!
    Mike - Elmira, Mi / 2019 T@B 400 / 2021 Chevy Silverado LTZ
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  • GlennBeck
    GlennBeck Member Posts: 71
    It may, but I would recommend the cardboard be the height and width of the grill area so the Press&Seal adheres to the metal frame of the vent.
    Glenn & Annie
    2016 T@B CS-S Max Black on Silver
    2013 Toyota Tacoma V6 



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  • Nomad
    Nomad Member Posts: 7,209
    Mike - If you're going to the trouble of cutting cardboard you might just as well make the cover sabel made. It's basically just a piece of plastic cardboard with a foam insulation border and some velcro. 20 minute project max.
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