2014 Camping Thread

[Hevishot]

If it drops to below zero for 2-3 days and stays there I would be a little bit nervous. If you have quick access and are really concerned go to your rv and open the taps up and drain the hot water tank out but you should be ok.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Hevishot

If it drops to below zero for 2-3 days and stays there I would be a little bit nervous. If you have quick access and are really concerned go to your rv and open the taps up and drain the hot water tank out but you should be ok.

Yeah it should be ok, it looks like only today and tomorrow are cold-ish. It was mostly tongue in cheek anyway, I drained it pretty much dry last time out since I knew it would be sitting for a while.

It's a good reminder though for me to keep an eye on the weather since it's getting to be that time of year again.

[ken0042]

I'm also not going to winterize yet. There is a huge difference between frost, and concern about pipes bursting. If you are done camping for the season, go ahead. I still plan on going out at least once more; so I'll winterize sometime in October.

[Madman]

A heads up, the 40W Coleman Solar kit is going on sale Sept 12th for $99.99.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/co...-0112043p.html

[calgarygringo]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

So I guess I should have winterized my trailer this weekend, ha! Good old Calgary weather.

On 2 weeks holidays and next week camping and shorts, tank top and sun tan.

[sparky69]

looks like its going to go down to -10 tonight... going to turn on the furnace in the trailer....

[ken0042]

The 19" RCA TV that I have in my trailer is on sale at Superstore this weekend. It's on sale for $80, then they have double no GST on top of that. So with tax and environment fees you are looking at a total price of $80.

I haven't opened that on to make 100% sure it still has the 12 volt input, so maybe ask them to open the box before you buy it.

Then grab yourself a power adapter like this one and you have your 12 volt TV for under $100. (I have bought 3 of these adapters from this seller.)

[Titan]

Anyone know of some good/cheap storage near the south end of Calgary?

My parents are selling their acreage so that is not an option anymore and the wife wants to park in the garage in the winter. Selfish eh?

Thanks.

[hedge]

Sad day, winterized the camper today. We'll probably still do a couple more trips but we'll just use a water jug.

We were out this weekend to tunnel mountain, not really camping but more as the support unit for my wife as she ran in the Mellisa's half.

[ken0042]

Has anybody tried to reserve at McLean Creek recently? I just looked and I can't find any availability at all; even mid-week in November. Are they not year-round any more?

[Hevishot]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Has anybody tried to reserve at McLean Creek recently? I just looked and I can't find any availability at all; even mid-week in November. Are they not year-round any more?

We cancelled 4 power sites in C for this upcomming weekend because we are now going to kook for good weather.

[ken0042]

Hmm, looks like you can't reserve after this weekend. Boo!

[ranchlandsselling]

I've got to winterize the trailer this week

Question, do I mix the antifreeze with water (dilute)? I'm going to suck it up with the hose attached to the water pump (the extra hose) and close the hose going to the fresh water supply. But thinking about all the length of pipe throughout the trailer makes me think it probably takes a few liters of fluid, more than I have in my jug.

Anything else I need to do besides bring in anything I don't want to freeze, pack up batteries (bring inside) and take off my propane tanks (I'm going to use them throughout the winter on my BBQ so I don't have to refill all winter).

Thanks!

[Slava]

You don't have to dilute the anti-freeze at all. Its already done (at least in every type that I have bought). Don't forget to take out any water/pop and other dry foods that mice might be interested in!

[Nufy]

I drained my my hot water tank and disconnected the pump suction and discharge.

Then I used compressed air to blow out the water lines in the trailer.

System should be empty so no antifreeze for me...except in the traps.

[ken0042]

I would not dilute the antifreeze. Keep in mind that unlike automotive antifreeze the plumbing stuff does actually turn solid. It just doesn't expand when frozen. So adding water could give you a pocket that actually expands. Unlike a car antifreeze where you would bring the strength down (up?) to -30 from -50, you could destroy it. Spend $20 on the adapter and do it right.
http://www.amazon.ca/Camco-36543-X-P.../dp/B0006JJ588
(Most RV places sell the same thing for around $20.)

And Nufy- I've said it before... a buddy of mine used to do what you do. And for 3 winters in a row he had no issues. Then the 4th winter he found that water had settled in a way that caused him a burst pipe. The worst thing was he found it as he was selling his trailer, and the buyer wanted to see how everything worked.

Spend $20 upfront on the kit and $10 per year after that on antifreeze, and that's it.

[hedge]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Has anybody tried to reserve at McLean Creek recently? I just looked and I can't find any availability at all; even mid-week in November. Are they not year-round any more?

We camp there in the winter, it switches over to FCFS at some point, I guess it alrready has.My buddies usually pay for the site but I think a ranger comes around to collect but I think you can self-pay using the drop box too.

[hedge]

Originally Posted by ranchlandsselling

I've got to winterize the trailer this week

Question, do I mix the antifreeze with water (dilute)? I'm going to suck it up with the hose attached to the water pump (the extra hose) and close the hose going to the fresh water supply. But thinking about all the length of pipe throughout the trailer makes me think it probably takes a few liters of fluid, more than I have in my jug.

Anything else I need to do besides bring in anything I don't want to freeze, pack up batteries (bring inside) and take off my propane tanks (I'm going to use them throughout the winter on my BBQ so I don't have to refill all winter).

Thanks!

hopefully you bypassed your HWT as well or else you'll fill it and that will use 6-10 gallons extra.

I also don't trust air. I put the anti-freeze in and then blow that out but the blow out step isn't necessary, I'm just a belt+suspenders kinda guy.

[bossy22]

I'm looking at two campers, one is 4 season, the other, the black and grey tanks aren't heated. I would still be camping this time of the year, but not winter camping. So potentially below minus zero at night, but above 10 in the day. Is it worth the extra $$$ to go 4 season?

[Titan]

How much extra?