Yellowstone Trip Advice - Cold Weather

[littlefork]

In a little over 2 weeks my wife and I will depart on a trek to Yellowstone. We will leave from the Minneapolis area, traveling Northwest on Interstate 94 through North Dakota and Montana to enter the North Entrance of the park. We will be taking a different route home whereby we will leave the East Entrance of the park, over the Big Horn Mountains and eventually hook up with interstate 90 through South Dakota. I have made this annual trek the last 5 years during this period but it has been with a buddy of mine and we have tented it at the Madison Campground. This trip will be with my wife and our new 5th wheel (Eagle 26.5rls HT).

My question? Does anybody have any advice on cold weather camping? I have a generator to charge up the single battery we have for the furnace at night and I was planning on having water in the freshwater tank to use during the 4 days we will be staying at the Madison Campground.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

[RedHorse1]

Wow, that sounds like quite a trip! Yellowstone is on our list when I retire (4 yrs n counting). I've not had any real cold experiences but in the 30's-40's we use an electric space heater to save on the propane. But it sounds like you will be boondocking and electric service not available. How long do you think the battery will run the furnace fan without a charge?

[max2bob]

we will be going to madison campground in one week. good time of year to hear the elk bugle. there is a dump station there and also fresh water and the bathrooms are heated. the temperatures should be from the low to mid 20's and maybe even upper 20's at night. that should not be a problem with your rig as you should have a enclosed and heated underbelly. one battery will be strectching it a lot though, even with a full charge from the generator. we have the full insulation package on ours and with the furnace set on the upper 50's it will run a few times during the night. our old trailer with just the r-7 insulation was hard to keep warm sometimes. if the weather is extremely nasty and snowing going to the old faithful inn and sitting by the fire with a drink is always a good thing.!! enjoy your trip and have fun!!

[drfife]

Get another battery.

[jal0710]

We had another battery installed in our 26.5 RLS when we bought it. Also, we have group 27 batteries rather than 24, don't know what you have but I would suggest getting 27s at least. That will be quite a trip, hope you enjoy it but don't know if the Old Faithful Inn will be open when you get to the park, but if it is, what a great way to spend a little time. Might be a bit of snow up there when you get there and the temps will be a bit on the colder side, but if you have taken this trek before, you know that. We have enjoyed our 26.5 RLS so far, enjoy yours as well.