2014 Camping Thread - Page 15 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

bossy22 · 10-09-2014, 08:42 AM

$3-4k. still negotiating.

Titan · 10-09-2014, 08:50 AM

Way too much in my opinion. Unless you are actually planning to camp late in the year I would say no. The tanks are underneath the floor, which is heated when you are using it.

Way better uses of money out there.

hedge · 10-09-2014, 09:06 AM

Depends a lot on what's included in the 4-season kit. If it includes dual-pane windows, better insulation then it is worth it. If it's simply ducted heating to the tanks then not worth it. My current truck camper is 4-season rated and the furnace runs a lot less than the old one did.

I camp in the winter but just leave the unit winterized and live out of a jug, if we need the toilet then flush it with antifreeze. Finding a dump station in the winter can be tricky though so we try not to use it.

bossy22 · 10-09-2014, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hedge

Depends a lot on what's included in the 4-season kit. If it includes dual-pane windows, better insulation then it is worth it. If it's simply ducted heating to the tanks then not worth it. My current truck camper is 4-season rated and the furnace runs a lot less than the old one did.

I camp in the winter but just leave the unit winterized and live out of a jug, if we need the toilet then flush it with antifreeze. Finding a dump station in the winter can be tricky though so we try not to use it.

It's dual pane windows and heated ducting.

calgarygringo · 10-09-2014, 09:37 AM

If you really want to do it right get heating pads on your tanks and heat tape the water lines. Some come with heating pads or as I did do it yourself. Wrap your water lines with heat tape and your gate valves so they don't freeze. This all works well if your are at a place like McLean that you can plug in.
The duct method is ok but only works when and if the furnace is running. We do several winter trips and never have any freeze up issues. I had to put a little work into it but we enjoy going out when it is not too cold out or those chinook weeks we can sometimes get over the winter.
The good thing about a 4 season is you can start earlier in the year and go later before packing it up. Keep in mind 4 season is not literally 4 season up here where it gets -30 degrees either, read the fine print.
For winter dumping we go to the Flying J as it is open all year. Costly at 10 bucks but we look at it as part of the cost of winter camping. You won't have rinse water so if you want to rinse the tanks while dumping take a few jugs of water with you and dump it down when you are done.

ranchlandsselling · 10-13-2014, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

I'm guessing that (bolded) was directed at the other poster who wanted to use the air compressor? I mentioned my pump has two intakes. One from the fresh tank and one that I assume is to winterize?

Anyway, I ran all my taps with the pump on until nothing was coming out. Closed the one valve on the pump, opened the other one, stuck it into the antifreeze and opened and closed all my taps one by one until pink stuff came out of each. Sometimes it was a bit light coloured, by I waited until it got a bit more dark. Got through all of them, but the antifreeze was almost empty, tilted the antifreeze container until it sucked the rest up and turned off the pump.

Obviously I can't see how much is in the lines, and here's what's left in the hose going "to" the pump.

Am I probably good? Given pink came out of all the taps and showers? Oh... should do the toilet too (dammit).

hedge · 10-13-2014, 12:58 PM

I think you've covered it, make sure you also do your outside shower if you have one and the city water inlet.

To do the city water inlet you need someone to help you. Turn the pump off and run a tap to relieve the pressure. someone outside now has to go and press the little button in the city water inlet (you may have to pull out a screen to get to it). Then someone inside turns the pump on while you hold the button down. run the pump untill pink stuff comes out the inlet. Now wash your arm because you'll have anti-freeze on it.

also If you have one, either blow out or get some anti-freeze into your tank rinser connection.

ranchlandsselling · 10-13-2014, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hedge

I think you've covered it, make sure you also do your outside shower if you have one and the city water inlet.

To do the city water inlet you need someone to help you. Turn the pump off and run a tap to relieve the pressure. someone outside now has to go and press the little button in the city water inlet (you may have to pull out a screen to get to it). Then someone inside turns the pump on while you hold the button down. run the pump untill pink stuff comes out the inlet. Now wash your arm because you'll have anti-freeze on it.

also If you have one, either blow out or get some anti-freeze into your tank rinser connection.

Thanks, because I forgot the toilet I just ended up going and buying more antifreeze.
did the outside shower, but my city water doesnt have a "button".

hedge · 10-13-2014, 03:48 PM

it almost for sure does, it's the one way valve. If it didn't when you turned your pump on it would spray water out the side of the trailer. You quite often have to remove the washer/screen to get to it. Be careful with it, it is easy to unseat the valve and then it's sort of screwed.

Slava · 10-13-2014, 06:47 PM

Just out of curiosity, how much water would there be in a system and how would it freeze and ruin things. I guess what I wonder is wouldn't the water (assuming you drained it) that remains just freeze and move along the piping? (I don't know how else to explain it).

I winterized mine again this year, so it's really just curiosity, but I wonder how much water you could have in the system and be OK.

ken0042 · 10-13-2014, 07:07 PM

Water will freeze from the ends in. So by the time the middle of the water freezes, it cannot expand outwards along the length of the pipe.

That also brings about one of the bigger dangers we have in Calgary. We have many freeze-thaw cycles in the winter. So even if it froze once safely, that doesn't mean it will do the same on the next cycle.

Slava · 10-13-2014, 07:14 PM

I guess that makes sense. Hopefully my winterizing was adequate!

MacDaddy77 · 01-19-2015, 09:34 PM

Anyone have suggestions on an inverter? Don't need it for much, coffee pot and charging phones iPods for music

Would like to permanently mount it under cabinet over sink but not sure about wiring, what size inverter etc

Thanks

ken0042 · 01-20-2015, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Don't need it for much, coffee pot and charging phones iPods for music

You do realize the coffee pot will be one of the biggest draws on any inverter. I'd look at something else for coffee; either a Coleman propane coffee maker, or myself I use a percolator.

Once you take that requirement out, pretty much anything will handle charging iPods.

Hevishot · 01-20-2015, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacDaddy77

Anyone have suggestions on an inverter? Don't need it for much, coffee pot and charging phones iPods for music

Would like to permanently mount it under cabinet over sink but not sure about wiring, what size inverter etc

Thanks

We purchased a low wattage 2 cup coffee pot from Canadian tire it was 17.99 or something.

MacDaddy77 · 01-20-2015, 07:39 AM

I didn't know a coffee pot would be the biggest draw. Looks like I'll go the insulated press route for coffee

Thanks

ken0042 · 01-20-2015, 08:15 AM

I found a good usage chart:
http://www.donrowe.com/usage-chart-a/259.htm

The single biggest electrical draws are things that produce heat, and then things with motors. So as you can see they show a coffee maker using 600-1200 watts, and a cell phone charger using 10 watts.

Boblobla · 01-20-2015, 08:23 AM

I love my percolator when I am camping. The smell of coffee in the morning, almost as good as napalm.

MacDaddy77 · 01-20-2015, 08:37 AM

exactly! that's why i want an inverter so it can be programmed for to wake up to the sweet smell of java

MacDaddy77 · 01-20-2015, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

I found a good usage chart:
http://www.donrowe.com/usage-chart-a/259.htm

The single biggest electrical draws are things that produce heat, and then things with motors. So as you can see they show a coffee maker using 600-1200 watts, and a cell phone charger using 10 watts.

so based on that chart if I have a 3000 watt inverter and went on a 3 day trip making say 6 pots of coffee and have 2 12 volt deep cell marine batteries I should be good to not run out of power right?

I plan on buying a 3000 watt inverter generator for next year (2016) as we will be doing 1-2 week long dry camping trips. that way I can charge up my batteries during the waking hours in the day