New Full Timer Unexpectedly

[Hnyctfam]

So, as of about 3-4 weeks ago, I am now full timing it in a 15 Jay Flight 32 BHDS with the Thermal package. Any suggestions would be helpful. I wasn't prepared for it - had talked about it before and maybe traveling/camp hosting etc when I retired...but I aint retired, yet. Anyway....whatever tips you guys have would be great. As of right now, I am hooked up to shore power/water, and am in NC so winter won't be horrible but I am thinking heat tape for the water lines and possibly a space heater...? Its just me so....maybe even a second hand small recliner lol jk.

[norty1]

If you have room for a small recliner it makes being inside much more comfortable.

When I became "homeless", all I got was a black and white tv and a worn out recliner. Had to rent an apartment.

Good luck!

[Vasquez Kid]

Welcome Hnyctfam,

To make my 32BHDS more comfortable I replaced the foam in the seat cushions in the dinette, switched over to a digital Coleman-Mack thermostat, added a Camco push-bar handle for the main screen door and am seriously considering swapping out the horrible jackknife sofa for one that is suitable for a human being to sit on! I also added some USB charging ports in various locations. For the hot months I did the AC register sealing mod for improved airflow. I also added a couple of LED reading lights in the master, LED's for the pantry and still need to add in the hall closet.

Good luck!

[Jagiven]

Your Average low is not to bad.

Heated water hose would be ideal. Remember the pipe that comes out of the ground too. Heat tape around the sewer would be great too, you can get a lot of frost build up inside the hose at night. Maybe worth a solid PVC pipe for the sewer connection. Double check where your pipes run, in and under the TT.

If you expect your lows to stay below freezing for more than a day, I would recommend some type of skirt around the TT. This will help keep the TT warmer, and keep the tanks from freezing.

If you will be sitting in the same place all winter, a larger propane tank would be great, like 250-500 pounds.

[Grumpy]

As was mentioned a heated water hose is a great asset. I assume the park you are in has the spigots heated or they wouldn't be open year round. Keep the dump valves closed until you are ready to empty the grey tank that way you won't have any blockage from ice in the sewer hose. Not sure how long you will be there, but also ask the park if you can put temporary skirting around the bottom of the camper. It will help hold the heat in the underbelly.

[Trapper2020]

Doing this in St. Louis we only let black hose out while using it. If you left it out all winter every time you dump the remaining fluid would freeze. Over time hose gets blocked by ice build up. Also many hose got frozen to ground and could not be removed. Fill your fresh water tank as a backup to hose water unless you know it is going to freeze up solid. The more fluid in tanks the colder it needs to be for an extended period to freeze solid. Good luck

[DonaandDon]

I would price humidifiers. I got a great deal on Craig's list. Ceramic heaters are humidity magnets for RVs. Not much air flow. Some say to crack open the ceiling vent to help circulate air. Some put a 2" PVC pipe between the wall and the mattress head to prevent mold.