Four Season Trailers

usbusin · November 1

I am researching for a "Four Season Trailer" that we will put on our property during a new house construction. I am thinking of something in the 21 to 26 ft. range. The temperatures here gets into the low 20's F and the highs in the summer 105+. What make and model have you had experience with and would you recommend or not recommend?

Thanks for your input.

GaryD

fpmtngal · November 2

The two that come to mind are Arctic Fox and Outdoors RV. I’ve never owned either one, though there’s an ORV model I’ve been seriously thinking about. I would start my search with those two.

The third name that comes up is Lance. I’m on my second Lance - the first one was a 2016 1685, traded in last year when I bought a 2023 2185. I’ve camped in both when the overnight temps went down to the low 20s (probably lower than that the first night I spent in the 1685). Most of the time I’ve been camping where the daytime temps went up above freezing though, which makes things easier - I was able to fill my fresh water tank and dump my waste tanks when needed.

It’s the heat that’s more of an issue with the new Lance - it has big acrylic windows. That is an issue when you are dealing with extreme heat. I’ve spent several days in the trailer when the temps were 110-114 and it was not fun. It was easier with the older trailer, which had glass windows (close the blinds to keep the sun out, something you can’t do without venting the acrylic windows).

You will spend a lot of money on propane, no matter what trailer you get.

lappir · November 2

You can make almost any trailer or RV a "4 Season" by adding skirting for the winter months and some sort of shading for the summer. None are truly 4 season right off the sales lot.

The worst issue is having enough water storage so you don't have to worry about your hose freezing. Next is the waste water storage, because that drain hose will also freeze when temps are low. I have spent several winters in the lower Midwest with temperatures in the teens. It's only when they get to the single digits that I start to worry. Thankfully the lowest temps haven't lasted too long. I need to address the issue I just remembered finding two winters ago. Thankfully it didn't get as cold last year.

Rod

Kirk W · November 2

The issues comfort in both heat and cold are greatly impacted by the amount & quality of the insulation and of outside air penetration into the RV. In winter the insulation of the floor becomes important as well as the sides & roof. Most travel trailers have the waste tanks and waste water plumbing under the floor and often exposed to outside temperatures. Some models have heating pads on the waste tanks to prevent freezing. You can limit outside air penetration by sealing around places where plumbing and wires go through the floor & walls it an expanding foam. RVs that have dual pane windows help a great deal in keeping and comfortable. The location ahas n RV is placed also plays a significant role so that it is in shade in the hot summers and also protected from the wind in winter. If your low temperatures never go below 20°F or above 105°F, you can probably make most any choice survivable but comfort will depend upon things such as this.

Are you shopping for a new RV, or for an older, used one to save on expenses?

usbusin · November 6

Thanks everyone for your input. I was hoping for more "real life" using a trailer in the cold and hot weather. I'm very familiar with the three rigs I have built (a travel trailer, a bus conversion and a truck conversion) but I don't know about commercially available trailers. My friends have told me about Lance and Outdoor RV.

Again, thanks.

GaryD

duraduk · November 7

I purchased a 2003 Arctic Fox 30U new. My wife lived in it for several months over a winter in Oregon and we have toured on extended trips in all kinds of weather. The AF line is rated four seasons and we were able to handle the weather. The newer trailers have dual pane windows and heating pads on the tanks. Our's blew heat onto the tanks through the onboard propane heater. We kept the trailer heated with an electric oil heater, Olympia wave propane heater and the onboard heater. We use vent pillows to seal the vents and insulated window covers on the windows for extreme hot summers and cold winters. The temps have gotten down to the mid. 20's. If your trailer is going to be in a fixed location I would skirt the trailer with the ability to warm underneath. I would look at building a roof over the rv to help shade it in the summer and keep the snow and rain off in the winter. Be prepared to dump when it warms up in the winter. Do not leave the drain valves open as things may freeze up. We kept a full tank of water in case the heated hose freezes. During the coldest weather we open the cabinet doors to allow heated air in. Those spaces are like cold caves and most water lines run through them. You will burn through propane.

Kirk W · November 7

I am wondering why you don't just use the RV which you already have? Do you have a set budget amount in mind, as that would play a major role in what we might suggest. I agree with duraduk that the Artic Fox could be a good choice. There are members such as myself who have lived fulltime in an RV but few if any of us did so while parked in one spot for a year. When we were fulltime we regularly sat on one site for from 1 to 4 months as RV volunteers but never more. We did experience temperatures as low as 20° F in some locations in winter and as high as 105°F in summers but never in the same location for both extremes. We were in a Cruise Master motorhome from Georgie Boy so I know that can be done.

usbusin · November 7

Thanks, duraduk for your input. Have read good reviews on the Artic Fox.

Where we live we get 50 degree swings. It was 26 this morning and will be mid 70's this afternoon.

GaryD

Lou Schneider · November 7

I agree Arctic Fox is a good choice. The only trailer I've found that's better is the DRV Mobile Suite 5th wheel. It's built like a house with 3 1/2 inch thick walls and good floor and ceiling insulation. The DRV is larger with models between 35 and 42 ft long. I have mine set up on my RV lot in Pahrump where it can get above 105 in the summer and down to the 20s in the winter and it stays comfortable in both extremes.

They're heavy and fairly pricy but you can find 20 year old used ones for $15-20k if you look around. That's what I paid for mine and I only had to tow it across town to my space.

Edit: Looking at your motorhome, why not use it?

Edited November 7 by Lou Schneider

usbusin · November 8

Thanks for your input Lou, I appreciate it. Can't use the motorhome in my avatar as I sold it. Is it not okay to keep it in my avatar, it's my identity? That's what we traveled in for the last 16 years of our RV life. (RVing since 1964)

GaryD