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Topic: Cold weather in a LD - how cold? (Read 9 times) previous topic - next topic
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Cold weather in a LD - how cold?
Yahoo Message Number: 64749
My name is Fern and I've been following this list for the last several months after becoming interested in Lazy Dazes after reading Andy Baird's very interesting website.
 I am very seriously considering jumping in with both feet and getting an LD and living in it full time. For now I would be parked most of the time on my parents' property in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia (northwest area of the state). I want to be able to be close to my elderly parents to help them out while still having some freedom to travel, go see friends, etc.
 We have cold spells here but none that last a long time. I haven't seen the temps go below 0 Fahrenheit since living here the last six years.
It's mainly in the 40s in the winter, with dips down to the 20s and 30s and only occasionally in the teens.
 So ... how well would I fair if I would be parked here in the winter? We would put in full hookups and a pad of some sort. What would I need to do to ensure being able to stay warm and keeping the water lines and tanks from freezing? Am I crazy for thinking this may be possible? I realize that the newer LDs have double pane windows, but would winter living in this area be possible for the older rigs (I'm thinking that what I can afford now will be an early 90s model, or even late 80s.)

Thanks so much for any wisdom and info you can send my way!

Fern
Fern Horst
Formerly owned:
1979 TK - "Dorie" (2007-2012)
2003 MB - "Absaroka" (2012-2019)
Re: Cold weather in a LD - how cold?
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64756
"So ... how well would I fair if I would be parked here in the winter?"

Fern

With the right preparation, you should be fine.
See our sister site for a recent discussion on the same topic.
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/LD_Enhancements/

You can research the topic using Art's web site.
http://www.lazydazers.org/Yahoo/msg_display.php

Insulate the vents windows and cab passage. Install holding tank heaters and add a layer of insulation to the holding tanks. The drain valves and piping can be wrapped with heating tape to prevent freezing.
With the additions of two electric heaters, the interior should stay warm.
If you use the propane forced-air heater, you can have the local propane company deliver and fill a hundred-gallon tank.
The last thing would be to add a skirt around the lower perimeter of the LD using plywood, hay bales, nagahyde or whatever your imagination comes up with. The skirt prevents cold air from circulating under the MH. It makes a big difference in cold climates.

Larry
2001 MB
* Not to be confused with Larry W (3000 of my posts are actually from expert Larry W due to Yahoo transition mis-step)
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Re: Cold weather in a LD - how cold?
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64801
Lots of good ideas, Larry. Thanks.

Larry wrote:
Fern Horst
Formerly owned:
1979 TK - "Dorie" (2007-2012)
2003 MB - "Absaroka" (2012-2019)
Cold weather in a LD - how cold?
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64751
Welcome to the group Fern.
I'm in Tenn right now, about an hour north of Nashville, right off I-40.  I have a 2004 model that you are welcome to come see if you'd like.  I've done a few things to help me stay warm in cold weather.
I have a 'curtain' that I made to go between the cab & the living space.  I've also got the 'pillows' that go into the ventholes to stop the cold air from coming in that way.  As far as how to keep your tanks from freezing, sorry I can't help you there.  I've taken my LD into temps near 0 degF, but not for extended periods.  If I'd needed to do so, I was planning to put in heat strips on the tanks w/ insulation over them.  But, as so many have pointed out.... it's not the tank that freezes 1st, it's the valves.  But, when you needed to use them, you could get a heater set up to warm them.  Nice sunny day, set the heater up pointed at the valves (far enough that the valves aren't damaged) to warm them.

Evelyn -- Maybe the reason History repeats itself so often is that no one listened the first time.

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Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Cold weather in a LD - how cold?
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64803
Thanks for the welcome, Evelyn! As well as the invitation to see your LD. Just curious what "pillows" you are referring to that you put in the ventholes?
Fern Horst
Formerly owned:
1979 TK - "Dorie" (2007-2012)
2003 MB - "Absaroka" (2012-2019)
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Cold weather in a LD - how cold?
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64808
Hi, there!

My LD (1990 multi-plan) came with foam pads (3" thick) cut to size for the vents, with snap over vinyl fabric covers.  Stuff
2005 RB
 
Re: [Life With A Lazy Daze RV] Cold weather in a LD - how cold?
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 64817
They are fuzzy pillows, made to go into the vent holes.  I believe that we got them at Camping World.  We had to cut slits in the cover material to accommodate the vent cover handles, so don't be confused by that (as we were.)
 I should also have mentioned that my LD is a Rear Kitchen model & that the 'curtain' I made (to go between the cab & the coach) has a blackout backing & is insulated by putting a quilted bedspread in the middle.  So, it's layers are blackout curtain backing, cut to fit quilted bedspread, color co-ordinated upholstery fabric.
If anyone out there would like to come see my LD while I'm in Tenn (till the beginning of next week)  em me privately & I'll give you directions.
-- Maybe the reason History repeats itself so often is that no one listened the first time.

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