Newer Montana Temperature Rating - Montana Owners Club

rames14 · 08-08-2007, 04:30 PM

For those of you who have the newer Montanas - how are they in colder weather. Our current 3400 is liveable in the 20's, but the furnace runs most of the time. Just curious how much warmer they are in the late fall/early spring. Thanks in advance.

dsprik · 08-08-2007, 04:43 PM

Ron, ours was one of the first ones that were supposed to be rated to zero. I also hedged my bet with dual pane windows, which I will tell anyone are worth the investment. We have been down to 19 degrees. Fireplace running at 3/4 and furnace set to kick on very occasionally worked great. We kept the LR about 65 and the BR about 55-60. Could have kept it warmer, but Cheryl is a cold BR sleeper...

If it gets colder, you won't be able to get away from running through propane - the nature of the beast. We have had our furnace running pretty good after we are up and around in the morning and if it is still around 30 outside.

sailer · 08-08-2007, 04:48 PM

Just go farther south as it gets colder

richfaa · 08-09-2007, 11:01 AM

We have never been in really cold weather with our 06 3400..mid 20's at night maybe.We keep our home at 70 degrees in the winter time and we keep our 3400 at the same temp. We are talking Rv's here and they are not worth a C*&p in cold temps no matter what the PR says. We were running through a tank of propane every 4 days in Lake Havasu City , Az this winter. There are folks here who have made many modifications to survive in cold weather and they can provide many good tips.We will try Flordia this winter.

Eagle Man · 08-09-2007, 11:29 AM

They will be "livable" to as low a temperature as you want, as long as you don't mind buying lots of propane and have an extra heater or two.

Steve and Brenda · 08-09-2007, 11:42 AM

We use two small electric heaters to augment the fireplace. The furnace runs on occasion to keep the basement warm. A lamp in the basement keeps the pipes running. We've been down to 25 degrees in the snow (freak Texas Spring storm) and was more worried about being able to close the slides than keeping warm.

RC and Samantha · 08-09-2007, 11:49 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by rames14

For those of you who have the newer Montanas - how are they in colder weather. Our current 3400 is liveable in the 20's, but the furnace runs most of the time. Just curious how much warmer they are in the late fall/early spring. Thanks in advance.

Ron,

I think the new ratings really mean more in that water system doesn't freeze up. I don't think they beefed up in insulation. They moved the systems around and the water lines directly in the floor to eliminate that winter freeze up.

Patty

rames14 · 08-09-2007, 04:27 PM

Thanks for the feedback. I know from the tour last year, that they had moved the lines. But I thought they also beefed up some insulation. We haven't had a problem even in colder weather, other than a tank of propane could be gone in a couple of days. We also invested in the ceramic heaters, and we have had good luck with them. Moving south is not an option, as I'm stilled tied to the 9-5 for another 6 years.

bncinwv · 08-09-2007, 04:31 PM

I too thought the Artic package had higher R value insulation. Is this not the case????
Bingo

dsprik · 08-09-2007, 04:50 PM

We were in the NC mountains last Oct. You can live comfortably in these newer Montanas with little modification. But like Rich and others here have stated, you will go through tank every four days or so if the weather starts to get below freezing most nights. If you are going to be in one spot for a while in that kind of unstable weather, calling the nearest propane company and requesting a 100# cylinder would be cheaper in the long run.

Eagle Man · 08-10-2007, 10:28 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by bncinwv

I too thought the Artic package had higher R value insulation. Is this not the case????
Bingo

In our brochure to get the advertised R values, you have to get the Arctic Insulation package. They do not even tell you what the R values are without the package, most likely they don't sell many without it.

timothy · 08-13-2007, 05:39 PM

Ron, We bough our 3600re in March and parked it in Elkins west virginia. We stayed every week end. Temp. sometimes went down to 17 below and we were fine. The underbely stayed at or about 10 degrees colder. As long as you have gas for the furnance and electric for the fireplace you will be fine. enjoy

rames14 · 08-14-2007, 04:32 PM

I am getting anxious to see the new units at the rally. We like camping when its cooler so we can enjoy the evening campfire. Unfortunately, most of the northern campgrounds close in October. There are lots of nice weekends in November here. Hopefully, we will be able to find a campground that will allow us to use our unit this year into the late fall.

Mrs. CountryGuy · 08-15-2007, 03:10 AM

Ron, check the state campgrounds?? Some of ours in Michigan are open YEAR ROUND, for CAMPING! We have not done it, but we talk to lots of people who go out for Thanksgiving, even New Years!

rames14 · 08-15-2007, 04:49 PM

Carol -

Our subdivision covenant doesn't allow trailers. And since we are new to Wisconsin, we haven't found a seasonal site yet that allows in/out after the season. We had a great site in Illinois that ran about $700/year, but they were only open from April 1 to November 1 and locked the gate when they left in November. The state campgrounds are all open year round, but we need a place to keep it when we're not camped. Another odd thing about some of the campsites here in Wiscconsin is that they have no septic system. They use honey wagons to dump black/grey water tanks.

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