Cold Weather Dispersed Camping

[Mark Meadows]

This is the first time I’ve put my E2 to the test so maybe someone can give me ideas.

I found myself in El Morrow National Monument at 6 degrees with the pipes frozen in the wet bath. I had the antifreeze kit for the Truma Aquago plugged in and the inside heat at 58 degrees. What should I do different to keep the pipes from freezing? Maybe (4 season) isn’t what I thought it was.   Thanks for any help !  

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, Mark Meadows said:

inside heat at 58 degrees. What should I do different to keep the pipes from freezing?

Run the furnace at 64F or higher!

[Bill and Nancy]

we have a 2022 with Dometic heat and we have camped in the high teens a few times but keep it around 58 and leave the bathroom door open. So fare so good

Bill

[Mark Meadows]

31 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

Run the furnace at 64F or higher!

Oh ok! I’ll remember this since I’m going back to that same area again in Feb.  thanks for responding!

[Mark Meadows]

21 minutes ago, Bill and Nancy said:

we have a 2022 with Dometic heat and we have camped in the high teens a few times but keep it around 58 and leave the bathroom door open. So fare so good

Bill

Ok thanks , I’ll do that !

thanks for responding Bill

[Patriot]

I would also recommend 30# LP tanks if you don’t have a set. We really like our 30# tanks and they have served us well.

 

[johnwen]

1 hour ago, Patriot said:

We really like our 30# tanks and they have served us well.

Says a really tall couple who can lift them over the doghouse lip....

[jd1923]

5 hours ago, Bill and Nancy said:

keep it around 58

So really, two of you winter camp with the Oliver thermostat set at the same 58F? Day and night? Y’all must wear a lot of sweaters!

Sorry, but lately I’ve read many posts on freezing issues, running space heaters instead of the furnace as designed. If we noticed a hint of pipes freezing, I would up the furnace temp asap.

Edited January 27 by jd1923

[jd1923]

55 minutes ago, johnwen said:

Says a really tall couple who can lift them over the doghouse lip....

Two 20s is not enough, love the 30s! I’m 6’ 2” though when standing on the tailgate I’m about 9 feet tall! 🤣

[topgun2]

14 hours ago, Patriot said:

I would also recommend 30# LP tanks if you don’t have a set.

Certainly no question on this one IF you do a bunch of winter camping and (for whatever reasons) don't mind the extra weight and size.

In addition, the 20 pounders can be simply "swapped" out at gas stations, grocery stores, hardware stores, etc. if you are in dire need of propane and there isn't a refill station either open or nearby.

Bill

[Steve Morris]

Three 20 pounders here. Two mounted, and one for the fire pit. Versatile, easy to maneuver (I’m 5’7” and apparently shrinking), and easy to refill or swap positions. Allows the fire pit to be anywhere, including toting to friends’s sites. 

[2008RN]

16 hours ago, johnwen said:

Says a really tall couple who can lift them over the doghouse lip....

I carry a little aluminum 3ft ladder.  I set bottle on the top, then step up on the ladder to hoist it over.  We just bought 2 20# we are going to try out for this next year. I can carry an extra 20# strapped into the truck if I need to.

[jd1923]

3 hours ago, topgun2 said:

In addition, the 20 pounders can be simply "swapped" out

We've had this conversation before. Yeah and watch out what you're trading for! I'd rather keep my tanks than take the chance on an exchange. Extra 20# in the TV takes up more precious cargo space. The ladder idea works but you need to get the tank into the truck bed anyway. Why not back it up within inches of the tanks? Reach down lift up and set it down, strap it into the back of the truck.

[rich.dev]

6 minutes ago, jd1923 said:

Yeah and watch out what you're trading for! I'd rather keep my tanks than take the chance on an exchange.

I agree John, heard some horror stories about issues with exchanged bottles!  

Edited January 27 by rich.dev

[topgun2]

4 hours ago, topgun2 said:

In addition, the 20 pounders can be simply "swapped" out at gas stations, grocery stores, hardware stores, etc. if you are in dire need of propane and there isn't a refill station either open or nearby.

 

1 hour ago, jd1923 said:

We've had this conversation before. Yeah and watch out what you're trading for!

Please note that second section of the sentence in the first quote above.

Not only does one have to "watch out what you're trading for" but with all of the vendors of those "swapped out tanks" you do not actually get a full tank as you would if you simply have your own tank(s) refilled.  However, again, "if you are in dire need of propane ...."

Bill

Edited January 27 by topgun2
added detail

[2008RN]

 

20 hours ago, Mark Meadows said:

This is the first time I’ve put my E2 to the test so maybe someone can give me ideas.

I found myself in El Morrow National Monument at 6 degrees with the pipes frozen in the wet bath. I had the antifreeze kit for the Truma Aquago plugged in and the inside heat at 58 degrees. What should I do different to keep the pipes from freezing? Maybe (4 season) isn’t what I thought it was.   Thanks for any help !  

Mark,  I am not sure of what Oliver you have. I have a 2020 LE11.  If you could put your Oliver year/model and same thing for your Tow vehicle in your signature section it would aid other owners in helping with answers. 

First,  as shipped I consider my Oliver as a 3 season. I still winterize the camper for the winter months, and I still go camping. We just carry water with us.  The lowest we keep the temp is 62 degrees at night, then 68 during the day.   We have the Dometic Furnace, the newer Oli's have a Truma.  I would like to update my Truma on demand water heater with the cool weather update, but haven't yet. Also Oliver changed the way the ventilation works on the newer models and vents the closet.  Minnesota Oli  posted "Breaking Subzero | Oliver Furnace Mod" for making changes to the Oliver for Dometic furnaces.  There have been people that made vent changes in Closet, and Closet to under the bathroom sink.  Maybe someone else can chime in on this subject.  John E Davies may have also made vent changes.  John E Davies had made tons of modifications, and information on up keep.  He does have a page full of links that are helpful.  John E Davies: HOW TO threads and Tech articles LINKS. 

I made the changes that Minnesota Oli did,but couldn't quite get the vent tube past the dinette floor. I Also just add the upper and lower vents to the front of the closet, and this really warmed up the closet. 

 

[DavePhelps]

I would recommend cutting in a small 4" return vent under the TP holder. I think this area would be good with no water intrusion from showering. At least, I have never noticed this area to be wet after I take a shower, ymmv. Not sure of your model or year, there have been changes made.

I don't get the closet vent at all. It is a separate space from the under sink area. I would rather have a return vent move air directly from the bathroom into that space, not from the cabin, to the closet, to the under sink area. I had great success adding new return vents in the rear of my trailer (my furnace is under the front dinette seat). I blocked off the OEM vent which was right next to the furnace. I had substantial temp increases between the hulls. I have also wanted to put one in the bathroom as well but got sidetracked with a pile of other projects. It is now on the short list however.

Good luck.

Dave

Edited January 27 by topgun2

[Mark Meadows]

23 hours ago, Patriot said:

I would also recommend 30# LP tanks if you don’t have a set. We really like our 30# tanks and they have served us well.

 

Thanks , I have a spare 20 that I take along

[Mark Meadows]

4 hours ago, 2008RN said:

 

Mark,  I am not sure of what Oliver you have. I have a 2020 LE11.  If you could put your Oliver year/model and same thing for your Tow vehicle in your signature section it would aid other owners in helping with answers. 

First,  as shipped I consider my Oliver as a 3 season. I still winterize the camper for the winter months, and I still go camping. We just carry water with us.  The lowest we keep the temp is 62 degrees at night, then 68 during the day.   We have the Dometic Furnace, the newer Oli's have a Truma.  I would like to update my Truma on demand water heater with the cool weather update, but haven't yet. Also Oliver changed the way the ventilation works on the newer models and vents the closet.  Minnesota Oli  posted "Breaking Subzero | Oliver Furnace Mod" for making changes to the Oliver for Dometic furnaces.  There have been people that made vent changes in Closet, and Closet to under the bathroom sink.  Maybe someone else can chime in on this subject.  John E Davies may have also made vent changes.  John E Davies had made tons of modifications, and information on up keep.  He does have a page full of links that are helpful.  John E Davies: HOW TO threads and Tech articles LINKS. 

I made the changes that Minnesota Oli did,but couldn't quite get the vent tube past the dinette floor. I Also just add the upper and lower vents to the front of the closet, and this really warmed up the closet. 

 

Thanks , I have the 2023 E2. I think that turning up the thermostat and keeping the wet bath door opened will probably heat that area enough but we’ll see. I’ll be heading back again soon so I hope that will be enough. If not I’ll be back here crying about it! 😂

[Mark Meadows]

20 hours ago, jd1923 said:

So really, two of you winter camp with the Oliver thermostat set at the same 58F? Day and night? Y’all must wear a lot of sweaters!

Sorry, but lately I’ve read many posts on freezing issues, running space heaters instead of the furnace as designed. If we noticed a hint of pipes freezing, I would up the furnace temp asap.

I’ll be setting my thermostat at about 68 in that kind of weather from now on. I’m learning the hard way as usual!

[Mark Meadows]

5 hours ago, 2008RN said:

I carry a little aluminum 3ft ladder.  I set bottle on the top, then step up on the ladder to hoist it over.  We just bought 2 20# we are going to try out for this next year. I can carry an extra 20# strapped into the truck if I need to.

👍🏼

[Mark Meadows]

1 hour ago, DavePhelps said:

I would recommend cutting in a small 4" return vent under the TP holder. I think this area would be good with no water intrusion from showering. At least, I have never noticed this area to be wet after I take a shower, ymmv. Not sure of your model or year, there have been changes made.

I don't get the closet vent at all. It is a separate space from the under sink area. I would rather have a return vent move air directly from the bathroom into that space, not from the cabin, to the closet, to the under sink area. I had great success adding new return vents in the rear of my trailer (my furnace is under the front dinette seat). I blocked off the OEM vent which was right next to the furnace. I had substantial temp increases between the hulls. I have also wanted to put one in the bathroom as well but got sidetracked with a pile of other projects. It is now on the short list however.

Good luck.

Dave

You sound like a real craftsman! Not sure I would attempt vent changes but it might be the best thing. Thanks

[Mark Meadows]

4 minutes ago, Mark Meadows said:

👍🏼

Good idea! Thanks!

[Mark Meadows]

On 1/26/2025 at 3:04 PM, jd1923 said:

Run the furnace at 64F or higher!

Thanks for suggesting that. I will!

[2008RN]

2 hours ago, DavePhelps said:

 

I don't get the closet vent at all. It is a separate space from the under sink area. I would rather have a return vent move air directly from the bathroom into that space, not from the cabin, to the closet, to the under sink area. I had great success adding new return vents in the rear of my trailer (my furnace is under the front dinette seat). I blocked off the OEM vent which was right next to the furnace. I had substantial temp increases between the hulls. I have also wanted to put one in the bathroom as well but got sidetracked with a pile of other projects. It is now on the short list however.

That is interesting with your furnace under the front dinette, our furnace  is curb side in the rear of the trailer.  Oliver had put in one main return in the the 2020 the is about 4-5" forward of the rear on the curb side. I have blocked off about 50% of the vent, to increase air return under other parts of the trailer.  We also have a heater vent output just below  the TP dispenser.  So on My rig you would get nice warm air to the the bathroom plumbing if you added a return vent below the heater output.  The down side  you may not get as much air flow to warm the rest of the bathroom.

I just put in the 2 vents (one up high and one down low) in the closet.  With this you are just getting natural air flow/equalization with what is in the cabin.  I was really surprised on how well this worked in making the the closet warmer.   I know that at least one person has put the vent for the closet to under the sink to work as a return.

With the changes I have made with hot air vent tubes on my rig, the area between the shells is about 5-10 degrees less then the main cabin at least up to the kitchen front seat.  I have no idea what the temps are under the bathroom sink is.