Camper is out of hibernation

[PolarisCobra]

Took the cover off over the weekend. Got a few projects to do before we take any trips, will be getting started in the next week or so, if the weather ever cooperates.

No signs of any damage or critter infestation over the winter, so that's good. Systems seem to work fine, but I won't put water in it until I am sure I don't need to worry about freezing.

[NH_Bulldog]

This is certainly an exciting time of year! If not for Easter this past weekend, I might have removed my cover as well. As fate would have it, we are looking at a storm tomorrow through Thursday with 12-18" of wet heavy snow here so I guess it will be another week or more before we get back to this point and can consider getting it open and presentable.

[PolarisCobra]

I am in Central Mass, close to the RI border. We are pretty much on the rain/snow line for this storm. Otherwise I would be concerned about stuff freezing on the roof.

Will be spending a week up in Lancaster in the latter part of June, looking forward to that trip.

[LadyCPA]

This is why I am so happy that we live in South Carolina! The next adventure is in 3 weeks. Down to Charleston SC.

[77chev]

I am hopeful we can get ours out this weekend still some snow but I’m running out of time planning on leaving the 14th.

[markdol1]

Want to pull the cover and put the batteries back in but it WONT STOP RAINING! Going to winston salem n.c. on the 19th for a week. Any ideas for an itinerary/must see? Thanks.

[jxnbbl]

Originally Posted by NH_Bulldog

This is certainly an exciting time of year! If not for Easter this past weekend, I might have removed my cover as well. As fate would have it, we are looking at a storm tomorrow through Thursday with 12-18" of wet heavy snow here so I guess it will be another week or more before we get back to this point and can consider getting it open and presentable.

These storms have thrown us into the unexpected. Last week cleaning off 20"+ of snow then snowblowing a 50x20 parking area as well as trailer in storage. Timed the water system cleaning/sanitation packed up and got the heck out of the mountains with the forcast...another 20" of snow! What we usually do in a couple of weeks we had to do in 3 days!

[PolarisCobra]

Originally Posted by LadyCPA

This is why I am so happy that we live in South Carolina! The next adventure is in 3 weeks. Down to Charleston SC.

Our camping season is shorter here in New England for sure. At least locally.

But I also enjoy getting up to NH and Maine with my snowmobile in the winter, so I can manage with the trailer tucked away for a couple of months. But snow right now makes a mess, melts fast, causes flooding and other mayhem. We got next to no snow all winter when we could take advantage of it, and too much now when we can't.

Sometimes - Mother Nature is a nasty woman.

[NH_Bulldog]

Originally Posted by jxnbbl

These storms have thrown us into the unexpected. Last week cleaning off 20"+ of snow then snowblowing a 50x20 parking area as well as trailer in storage. Timed the water system cleaning/sanitation packed up and got the heck out of the mountains with the forcast...another 20" of snow! What we usually do in a couple of weeks we had to do in 3 days!

I was thinking of you because I knew of your planned trip and had hoped you were able to get cleaned up, out of town and headed south between storms. Safe travels and enjoy your time with the family!

[CBears]

Originally Posted by PolarisCobra

Took the cover off over the weekend. Got a few projects to do before we take any trips, will be getting started in the next week or so, if the weather ever cooperates.

No signs of any damage or critter infestation over the winter, so that's good. Systems seem to work fine, but I won't put water in it until I am sure I don't need to worry about freezing.


Attachment 46565

Dewinterized mine for the first time last weekend. We will have a few nights between here and May that dip below 32 but I'll run the heater those nights. Excited for the first season in our new camper.

[Midwesterner]

Originally Posted by PolarisCobra

Took the cover off over the weekend. Got a few projects to do before we take any trips, will be getting started in the next week or so, if the weather ever cooperates.

No signs of any damage or critter infestation over the winter, so that's good. Systems seem to work fine, but I won't put water in it until I am sure I don't need to worry about freezing.


Attachment 46565

It always feels good getting it ready for the season. Glad you didn’t have any critter damage, that’s usually my main worry. Good luck with your projects and enjoy your trips!

[jxnbbl]

Thanks Bulldog, the adventure has begun!

CBears - This is the first year where I had low/mid 20's overnight and had to prep for a trip. I was pleasantly surprised that our standard thermostat could go down to 40 degrees. I found that this was fine to maintain the plumbing. I test it like the fridge to ensure it is working....I leave small "Tupperware" containers with water in them. For the fridge I leave fill it and put in the freezer overnight for the pass thru and belly (I have an access point) I put about a tablespoon of water (less volume...freezes easier).

The next morning the freezer was frozen solid, the other "test" ones were still liquid.

[dutchmensport]

Our camping season never ended last Fall. About last November (2023) I winterized and on Christmas Day I unwinterized. It was winterized about 3 weeks. On December 26 we took off from Central Indiana for Louisiana where we stayed for 3 months, Jan, Feb, March. I worked as a "camp host" at a State Historic site as a tour guide in a plantation house in exchange for a full hook-up campsite (no campground there, just 2 RV sites for volunteers). It was an absolutely fantastic 3 months. After 5:00 pm the gate was closed and we were the only people on the plantation, except for the property manager who lived on the property also.

We returned home on April 1, only to be hit with 39 degree weather, horrible wind, and cold rain. Oh how we miss that Louisiana 75 - 80 degree weather, flowers and green foliage everywhere, immediately just stepping outside of the truck!

So for us, ours never had a chance to go into hibernation. Well, on April 27 we are heading back to Louisiana for another 2 months at the same location.

I'm not so sure about this stupid Indiana weather, so meanwhile, we're keeping heat on in the camper so I don't have to winterize again in the event the temps decide to drop.

[ADQ K9]

Still 2 feet of snow around the Tumble Weed and is snowing again tonight. I will be happy when it stays above freezing overnight here is my to do list once I get it out of hibernation:
Install batteries, Reseal roof, Adjust cables on wardrobe slide out Get new tires (timed out not worn out). While wheels are off inspect brakes bearings and install wet bolt kit.

[NH_Bulldog]

We are at the tail end of a rare April Nor’easter that left us with 18” of heavy wet snow. It might be another week to ten days before we can get the cover off and open the camper.

I broke my only two snow brushes trying to clean off the truck, and then blew out the friction drive on my tracked snowblower so I am done with winter at this point.

[ADQ K9]

Heavy wet snow is the worst Sticks to plow blades plugs up blowers etc. I have some secrets of dealing with that type of snow though.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by ADQ K9

Heavy wet snow is the worst Sticks to plow blades plugs up blowers etc. I have some secrets of dealing with that type of snow though.

My "secret to that problem" is to take the snow blower off the tractor and install the front end loader and just "fill the bucket with slop" and move it off the driveway/road. Several years ago, I tried blowing the slush, only to find out that when it fills the auger and fan on a 60" front snowblower, there's no digging the ice out of the mechanism... So, just take it off, put the FEL back on and "pretend it dirt"....

[German Shepherd Guy]

snowing here today but am hoping by the end of this month







Or maybe mid may.

[rhagfo]

Well before going full time as Oregon Park host, we were three season campers Fall, Winter, and Spring. My work schedule was such that we had a hard time getting spots in the summer.
Now that we are full time Host, we camp all seasons. Summers either in the Columbia River Gorge, and winters in the Cascade foothills, or the back side of the coast range. We have moved in snowy conditions, and beautiful sun.
Oregon keeps many parks open for camping all winter long, including most of the coastal parks.

[PolarisCobra]

Got to one of my projects over the lase few days. There is a double door pantry in our kitchen. The right side has shelves, the left side was open, with a closet pole at the top. We don't really need the closet pole with the cabinets in the bedroom, and can really use more shelving in the kitchen. Used some plywood from another project, some kitchen cabinet clips to hold them up. Added a 1 X 2 board across the front to keep things from falling off, and provide some strength. A coat of stain and a couple of coats of polyurethane, and we have some useful storage space.