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Old 04-26-2015, 05:23 AM   #1
SRD
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Four Season Question

Had a friend who is looking for a 5th wheel ask me if Montana 5th wheels are considered a four season unit. I told him yes, but wanted to ask you guys as well. Apparently due to a construction project his son will be working on his son will be living in it for the next 12 - 18 months in Texas.

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Old 04-26-2015, 05:25 AM   #2
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We've had people that have lived in them in Alaska full time.
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Old 04-26-2015, 06:29 AM   #3
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We all have our definitions of comfortable as in winter months. With at best R9 in the walls, usually single pane windows, and the average "drafts" associated with our units ... mid to low 20's gets out of our comfort zone. Skirting and plastic wrap on the windows helps. I grew up in an old farm house in Missouri ... layering clothes, always wearing shoes or slippers, and accepting 65 degrees to be "comfortable" is not a way of life I wish to return to. The "artic package" is basically an extra 1/4" layer of astro foil in the basement.
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Old 04-26-2015, 07:31 AM   #4
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You mentioned your friend would be living in Texas for 12-18 months! Do you know what part of Texas? If it is in northern Texas, skirting and extra insulation would be needed along with what dieselguy has stated. If he will be staying in one spot for that time period, he can always contact a local propane company down there and rent or purchase a larger propane tank to hook up instead of using the 30lb bottles also. A Jim(NCFishers) stated there have been members of MOC who have lived in their Montana in Alaska all year long. They insulated and skirted their units so the colder air did not get to the bottom of the unit as easily and maybe some will jump in here and make comments about their experiences.

If he will be in southern Texas, he shouldn't have any problems at all. We have many MOC members heading South for the winter(Snowbirds) and do not need extra insulation to stay warm. I would recommend if he is going to be down in the southern part in the summer to make sure he has the dual A/C's in his unit because it will get warm and one A/C will not keep up to keep the unit cool. It can get cool/cold in the southern part of Texas in the winter also but it does not last as long as the northern part of Texas. Northern part is known for their snows and winds during the winter.
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Old 04-26-2015, 07:52 AM   #5
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What that means is you can live in them all 4 seasons. Might be a bit toasty is some and a bit cold in others but you can live in them. People live in all brands in all kinds of weather super hot to holy crap cold. Our 13 3402 big sky has a heated underbelly and pretty good insulation.

We left Florida in April because it was getting into the very high 80's and low 90's with building humidity. The A/C was running set at 77 from about 10Am to 10PM.We are now back home in Northern Ohio were the temp has been below freezing at night and in the high 30's low 40's during the day/The furnace runs near constant to keep the RV at 71 degrees.

Artic package, all season, full time package are all marketing ploys. He will do fine in Texas during the summer in the Montana but he may have a pretty good electric bill. .We spent some time near Abilene, Tx in July and both A/C ran day and night.
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Old 04-26-2015, 08:11 AM   #6
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Yep we do it ,have been for 4 years now in the NW BUT the lowest temps we see are in the teens and 20's and Summer in the 80's and 90's not too extreme AND we have free Electric at our Resorts and use the fireplace And one of those Infrared heaters in the winter and We stay comfortable No problem
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Old 04-26-2015, 08:57 AM   #7
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We have been full timing in our Big Sky for almost three years now. We have had times with the overnight temps in the teens and have been able to remain comfortable inside without skirting. The biggest problem with sub-freezing is that the outside water lines will have to be insulated or moved inside to prevent freezing. You will also experience heavy propane use. Since we only have one air conditioner, the inside can get warm with temps in the upper 80's and higher. We're told that a second AC will correct that. Also ceiling vents with closeable louvers can redirect cool air.
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Old 04-26-2015, 09:18 AM   #8
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I think he'll be in Waco. This is good info that I'll pass on to him. Really appreciate the responses.

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Old 04-26-2015, 10:55 AM   #9
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He'll need to make a few adjustments, heated water hose etc. but he should be fine.
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Old 04-26-2015, 02:02 PM   #10
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IMHO there's NO RV or trailer that's truly four season from 15 to 90 degrees. All have to be modified, some more than others. If it were a perfect world (in my view), the manufacturers would tell the truth about what to expect in either extreme hot or cold weather. Instead we get sales hype.
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Old 04-26-2015, 03:52 PM   #11
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Our 04 is not as tight and well insulated as newer units and have experienced temps as low a 9 degrees and we were warm. At those temps it is a little chilly near the single pane windows but we did just fine
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Old 04-27-2015, 09:16 AM   #12
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Keeping warm in cold temps is doable. 4 winters ago in Florida near Orlando we used 10 tanks of propane in ONE month .That's right every 3 days or so we were along with everyone else regardless of brand at the C.G propane refill station. It was a very cold Florida winter with overnight temps in the mid 20's.That was with our 06 3400 which was kind of drafty.

I remember the member who lived in Alaska Ice something was his screen name. A true story of survival.
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Old 04-27-2015, 01:16 PM   #13
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Thanks folks,

really looking forward to retiring in another year or so and doing some traveling during the seasons(although most of our winter traveling will probably be staying in Florida where we live).
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Old 04-27-2015, 06:47 PM   #14
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We full time and, while we try to avoid the colder temps, we get into them sometimes. As DQDick says, get a heated water hose so that you can keep the water turned on. With the heated underbelly, a small electric heater in the basement keeps everything from freezing up. Contract for a 200-300 gallon propane tank and you will be set for the cold. Keeping the thermostat at62 will keep everything plenty warm. We've never been without a second air for the summer. Would hate to be without it. The dual pane windows do a remarkable job, keeping both the heat and cold out. Waco would be a good place for a year. Close to Dallas or Austin, both with plenty to do.
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