T_Bone
Arizona
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Joined: 09/20/2001
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Hi Jon,
I was cold weather work boomer for 5yrs before I retired and lived in a RV. He's what I'd do for that area as my area was only 0° up.
I'd have my RV custom built. Not as expensive as you think in todays economy.
The best bang for the buck for full timing living space is, bedroom, bathroom, livingroom, rear kitchen.
You can get a 40ft 5'er frame around Dallas for $5000 new. Then have it framed and skinned for a RV. Completed unit, about $20k with labor and materials, $15k without labor, ready too roll price. This is a great space for two people but tight with raising kids.
I'd use 4" of polyurethane insulation on the walls and 6" on the ceiling and floor.
Minimum windows as that's where you'll loose alot of heat. Cover inside windows with 2" styrofoam during the winter. One hydraulic super slide for the livingroom/kitchen. Hydraulic landing gear.
All tanks inside the basement area. Hold your waste then dump once a week. Never leave your waste valves open. Precharge with 2gals windshield washer anti-freeze after each dump. Environment friendly and cheap. Fill your fresh water tank and pump from there. Never leave your fill hose attached. Take a hair dryer for unfreezing pipes if that happens.
Have two LP furnaces installed. If one breaks down, you have enough heat to survive. Take two 100gal LP cylinders for winter camp.
Install fresh water piping in the floor in a open space so they can be easy repaired if needed. Use the pipe chase as a heating duct. Use closed cell pipe insulation on all piping.
Temporary skin the RV too the ground using R-19 and 1/2" external OSB.
5yrs at $20k = $4k/yr housing cost. Another 10yrs personal use. Can you rent a appartment cheaper?
T_Bone
02 F350, 4x6, CC, DRW, PSD, 6spd, 3:73
32ft Serria 10yr 100% Solar
Please do not trust everything you read on the internet. Use only valid engineering information from well established Companys.
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It pays off in the long run !
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dks
Mississauga
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Joined: 10/08/2006
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Windshield WASHER antifreeze is not environmently friendly. If you are going to use antifreeze in the winter use RV antifreeze. Remember all this stuff goes in the public water systems. The cost difference is minimal.
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BIG RIG GUY
Milton Ontario
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Joined: 09/24/2006
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I had thought the same thing with the windshield antifreeze, a friend of mine uses the same , he checked it out with the enviro people and the government leg of the parks system, they said it was okay.
Myself, I would prefer rv antifreeze.
There is a method to the madness, disturb the method and the madness begins.
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Anml_341
Ontario
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Joined: 01/15/2007
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Last winter I personally check with the MOE office in Owen Sound (Ontario) and they indicated that the windshield washer fluid used in vehicles on our highways daily is safe both enviormentally and is okay to use in septic systems. (When you stop and think about the millions of vehicles on our highways, and the amount of wwf used daily, it must be a lot of fluid being spread around.)
It is not okay to use it (windshield washer fluid) in your fresh water tank or fresh water lines but if it is being put directly into your black and/or grey tanks which is being dumped into the park waste control system then you are enviormentally friendly. Assuming the weekly use of the windshield washer over the winter, a saving of a few dollars each week will add up. If you do not wish to use two different products then using the pink stuff (RV Antifreeze) is also acceptable. You have a choice.
Have a good winter... we are full time RVers in Canada since 2004 including spending all our winters in Canada. The coldest we experienced is -37C in Algonquin Park for 10 days. Email me if you have any questions.
* This post was
edited 10/23/09 08:43am by Anml_341 *
Frank Spence
Ontario Canada
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Member: FMCA #F275853
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T_Bone
Arizona
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Joined: 09/20/2001
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dks wrote:Windshield WASHER antifreeze is not environmently friendly. If you are going to use antifreeze in the winter use RV antifreeze. Remember all this stuff goes in the public water systems. The cost difference is minimal.
Hi dks,
Windshield anti-freeze, about $1.50/gal, is alcohol based as very safe for septic systems.
RV pink anti-freeze, about $6.95/gal, is propylene glycol, a food safe product. If you calculate the mix ratio, it will take several gallons to do the same as windshield washer fluid.
I would never add anything too my drinking water supply.
T_Bone
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garyhaupt
Kitimat, BC, Canada, Mile '0' of Alaska HiWay #37
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Joined: 11/21/2003
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fishinrgv...how about leaving the rv in Texas...heading north for the job...come spring, go back and get it. Does that work for you? You aren't going to want to have to over-winter, deal with the new job and environs...maybe next year...by then you'll have a place figured, etc.
kiss baby...kiss....keep it simple, stupid.
Gary Haupt
I have begun to blog.. .www.gary haupt.blogspot.com. It's not about RV'ing...but RV'ing is a part of it.
Gary
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Anml_341
Ontario
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Go for it... as long as you can locate a place to park your rig, you will be fine especially if you already have a cold weather package with your unit. There are hundreds of people doing what you are considering, and many of us will gladly help with specific suggestions. You might want to check out some of our pictures from last winter on our blogs. Plus we have written a book on the subject should you be interested.
Frank Spence
http://fourseasonsrving.blogspot.com/
http://flspence.blogspot.com/
email: frankspence@hughes.net
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fishinrgv
Beach City, Texas
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Joined: 08/31/2008
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Sorry for the delayed response. My computer at home crashed, so for the time being my only computer accesss is here at work.
Thanks to all who responded. I am still in the thinking process.
Leaving the RV in Texas is not really simple or an option due to the time of driving to Texas to pick it up and then having to get all the way back to Canada. That would be a lot of time off from work and in my given field, time off does not come by often as I'm on call 24/7 and have to be at work in a moments notice.
Any other ideas as to how to keep critical RV parts from breaking/water use etc...would be greatly appreciated. Specific suggestions is what I really need.
Thank you,
Jon
Geaux Tigers...1958,2003,2007 football National Champs
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08 Montana 3400RL 10th Anniversary Edition.
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garyhaupt
Kitimat, BC, Canada, Mile '0' of Alaska HiWay #37
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fishinrgv....could you ask your new employer if they have a place you can put it? From info posted..all RV places are going to be closed...you need to be able to 'be' somewhere, get a skirting put up, a couple electric heaters, a dehumidifier. Also a place to shower, etc. I know you said your tanks are winterized..but that only applies if you are using your propane furnace.
That is harsh winter country you are going to. Believe it. And you are leaving it until almost too late, to set up. This is NOT Texas. Google the Weather Network and look at the history for the province.
Maybe find a place further north to store it? Yes, it'll cost some $$ but cheaper than buying a new one, when this one gets maybe ruined.
Gary Haupt
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WilleyB
Nova Scotia, Canada
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Joined: 12/02/2005
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Quote:Leaving the RV in Texas is not really simple or an option due to the time of driving to Texas to pick it up and then having to get all the way back to Canada.
One more line of thought struck me as I was passing a 5'er being set up for winter living not far from where I live. I guess they'll live in it until the house is built. Why not consider purchasing a lot of land, get a temporary electrical power installation then you can do what you like. Get a skirting to close it in, a 40 watt light bulb will provide enough heat to keep the tanks from freezing. If you decide to move on then you can have a Real Estate agency sell the lot for you.
Cheers
Willey
Vanguard VXL2000
2000 Ford V10 Triton, E350 Super Duty
Just for me,the Mrs and the mutt
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