Ski RV's, who's sleeping in parking lots?

**maddog** · 02-14-2011, 03:43 PM

A couple of weeks ago at the Jane. We hit 17 inches at Copper, 8 the next day, 15 at Vail, 8 more at Copper and then about 10 at Winter Park. Not a bad little outing...

**Eldo** · 02-14-2011, 04:08 PM

How do you dry out the canvas (or whatever the pop up sides are made of) after winter camping?

I looked at one pop up camper and it had wicked mildew on the fabric, maybe from being stored wet?

**fastfroggy** · 02-14-2011, 05:41 PM

maddog, what brand/model is that pop-up?

**pcgor** · 02-14-2011, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Eldo

How do you dry out the canvas (or whatever the pop up sides are made of) after winter camping?

I looked at one pop up camper and it had wicked mildew on the fabric, maybe from being stored wet?

I'm in western Oregon where it is always wet. I store mine in a garage with the top up and a 15 watt light bulb always turned on. That ensures that it's wamer inside the camper than out, and causes water vapor to migrate to the outside. Mine is 11 years old, over 120 overnights so far, and no mildew.

Originally Posted by fastfroggy

what brand/model is that pop-up?

http://www.fourwheelcampers.com

**maddog** · 02-14-2011, 10:09 PM

It's a Four Wheel "Ranger." It's got a stove, sink, icebox and a 16,000 btu heater. Queen bed over the cab, and a single down below. It's great for 2... pretty snug for 3. After camping in the snow, it gets wet inside from condensation, and outside from snow, ice, etc. I usually just bring it home and pop it up to let it dry out for a few days. If I lived in a wetter climate, I'd probably have to work a little harder to keep it dry, but the humidity around here in the winter is usually about 4%! If you store it wet, it won't take long to start to rot.

**pcgor** · 02-14-2011, 10:23 PM

I replied to this thread a few hours ago, but when I hit submit I got a message saying a moderator had to approve my response first or something like that, so I hope I don't end up double-posting.

Anyway re. the moisture thing, I have a custom winterized Four Wheel Camper Granby model and where I notice condensation is under the upper bunk after I return from a trip. I store my camper in a non-heated garage with the top up and with a 15 watt light bulb turned on inside all the time. It's plugged into a work light that I just put on the floor. This ensures it is always warmer inside in the winter and any water vapor then migrates to the outside. I've had the camper 11 years and spent over 120 overnights and I have no mildew or rot. I did replace the glued velcro strips that hold the arctic pac insulation up a few years ago, after it started to peel off in cold weather.

**Diesel** · 02-22-2011, 11:17 PM

I've had some condensation issues. Keeping the roof vent cracked definitely helps, and if it's not dry by the time I hit the road, I usually pop the top at the house (no garage) and leave the furnace running for a bit. It seems to dry out pretty well.

**udp88** · 03-02-2011, 04:12 PM

Does a 10F bag with a 40F bag inside of it (with another 40F bag inside that??? probably won't fit) end up similar to having a single -20 bag or something like that?

**DAFTC** · 03-02-2011, 04:31 PM

Maddog - sounds like quite the 50K trip!!!

udp - repost in tech talk if you want more flaming or just search better, but the short answer is no, the medium answer is ratings are subjective, and the marginally longer answer is that you're probably better off w/multiple lighter bags on the outside since the warmth comes from the air trapped in the insulation and you may actually lose warmth if you start compressing loft by cramming too many bags together.

**Kya** · 03-25-2011, 10:22 AM

After years of dreaming, we did it! We found a used Four Wheel Camper from an amazing couple in Grand Junction, Colorado. Its an 08' Eagle, loaded up pretty good: sink, stove, fridge, furnace, dual batteries, too much to list. The previous-original owner added countless personal touches. Here are some basic pics of our set up, but I promise to put up some action shots as we Let the Good Times Roll....

I built this bumper a few years ago. Good thing I suck at metal fabrication, because my crooked tire carrier just barely cleared the camper.
Ha, ha!

**Poop~Ghost** · 03-25-2011, 10:44 AM

Lets see inside kya!

**PowTron** · 03-25-2011, 10:46 AM

Nice choice in Tires too!

**udp88** · 03-25-2011, 07:33 PM

Are the popup sides solid or canvas? Warm enough?

**Micol** · 03-25-2011, 08:30 PM

damn Kya that rig looks stout! Very nice!

**Micol** · 03-25-2011, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by udp88

Are the popup sides solid or canvas? Warm enough?

The more moisture you can eliminate inside the warmer you will be. e.g. car camping = very cold
canvas, top vents good

**Trackhead** · 03-25-2011, 08:42 PM

I'm starting a new build on my Samurai. Doing a foam/fiberglass sandwich wall, with the entire thing being one piece. A lot of new top end campers are using this technique for superior strength:weight ratio. Hope to start building in April...........

Here's a rough 3D view of my idea, not yellow and blue, but whatever. Standard pop-up design.

**azphi** · 03-25-2011, 09:19 PM

Here is my rig, 96 dodge conversion, furnace, fridge, stove, micro, toilet, sat tv.

This pic is from Camp Walton in SLC this afternoon. Been at snowbird the last 2 days.

Click image for larger version.

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Yea, I'm that guy!

**Kya** · 03-26-2011, 07:13 AM

Hey Trackhead. I haven't checked in on your other thread on EP for a while. Is this an intirely new build?

**Trackhead** · 03-26-2011, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Kya

Hey Trackhead. I haven't checked in on your other thread on EP for a while. Is this an intirely new build?

Yeah, the first one was rushed because my wife and I were going to do an 8 day desert trip that turned into an 8 day moto trip for me. Now that I have more time (infinity), I want to build a more refined one.

Dig your rig. Seems like a fully capable set up. A friend had that camper on a Taco, awesome set up.

**montanamike** · 03-29-2011, 11:25 AM

so I had to leave the RV in montana because it wasn't running just right, and it was going to be -40 in canada. I got to haines with no place to live. the boss says i can live in this bus at 33mile if i fix it up. I put in an oil drip furnace and a toyo stove, built a bedroom in the back, built a dinette, put in a counter and sink, and now its a pretty nice living space.

**SKIORFORGETIT** · 03-29-2011, 12:33 PM

montanamike- sweet bus!

**anemic** · 03-29-2011, 03:11 PM

I am all jacked up for some kind of self supported ski vehicle and I have a considerably wide open permission slip to investigate. The RamboAmbo idea is HIGHLY appealing.

**Eldo** · 03-29-2011, 05:17 PM

Pimped, indeed!

I also salute the choice of hard liquor for your humble abode.

**wicked_sick** · 03-29-2011, 07:32 PM

Trackhead, are you updating your progress on the Samurai build anywhere online?

**Trackhead** · 03-29-2011, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by wicked_sick

Trackhead, are you updating your progress on the Samurai build anywhere online?

Here.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...ad.php?t=53577

It's going to be a bit slow right now as I'm currently stuck in a bathroom remodel. Should start building the bed and getting the camper/body mating surfaces built up next week.