Stupid Cold!!!!

It's STUPID COLD!  I steal the phrase from the local Nashville TV meterioroligist (channel 4) who everyone has been tuning into of late.  Actually the local TV weather man anywhere north of, oh I don't know, the Tropic of Cancer, is now The Man.  He's the guy (or girl) who is bringing the bad news and we just can't help ourselves.  We have to know the numbers.  Here's our number.... One.  Not "yeah we're number one!"  More like that's the number of degrees we have here (or I guess degree would be more correct).

Here's another number.... Four.  As in "four seasons." It's an RV term and here's where the post goes into talk of technical RV stuff.  Spoiler alert.  If you tune in for the travel articles or my witty commentary then you're probably going to be bored but if you like "how things work" talk then this is right up your alley.  I'll forgive those of you who tune out here.  No hard feelings and I'll see ya next post.

Okay here we go.  A four seasons RV is designed to be used all year, even in subzero weather.  They're built with heated storage spaces and the plumbing is routed in such a way that it won't freeze up when the thermometer drops below 32.  Sometimes the marketing people call this an arctic package because it just sounds so awesome.  You would think that would be the way to go but there are drawbacks to the arctic package, the main one being much smaller windows. 

Airstreams are not four season RVs.  They have big windows. Take it from the full-timers that we are.  Big windows are probably the most important feature if you have to live in a trailer. Other than that though, because they are built the way they are (and have been since 1932) they are effectively all weather rigs.

The aluminum shell you see from the outside is the outer shell.  There is also an inner shell that looks the same and in between are ribs and insulation.  The windows and door all have large rubber gaskets that when locked down provide an airtight seal.  The heating system consists of a propane furnace with ducts throughout including a duct that is run into the belly pan to provide heat for the water tanks, both fresh water and not so fresh water. With the addition of an electric space heater inside we stay cozy even in "stupid cold" weather like we have now.

There are a few vulnerable spots.  The most worrisome in weather under 20 degrees are some water pipes running from the hot water heater through an outside storage compartment and another small plumbing run above the fresh water tank.  I've opted to plug in a work light with a 75 watt bulb in these areas as added insurance.  I checked the temperature of the outside compartment this morning when it was 2 degrees outside and the compartment was in the high 40s, plenty of warmth there. And, as with most things we own, the lights have a dual purpose.  Margo will use them as party lights outside in the summer.   

Compartment above the fresh water tank

With the energy efficient design and tightness however comes a problem.  It's sealed up so tightly that on really cold days condensation becomes an issue. It forms around the windows mainly and down low on the walls at the bases of the mattresses.  We have to be vigilante about wiping it up regularly.  Margo found that if we direct a small fan into the area it drys things out.  She has a little fan the size of a pint of Ben and Jerry's that she positions in the area and it does the trick. 

Drying the condensation

All in all I feel confident that we won't do any damage living in these conditions.  I talked with the RV park maintenance man this morning and others here have not been so lucky.  He mentioned that a few of our neighbors have frozen up.  Hopefully their pipes haven't burst in the process.  We'll be in the 20s by Tuesday afternoon and the 40s by Wednesday so they should be able to get things thawed out soon. 

On the work front, the Nashville crew, including myself, took a snow day today (Monday).  There was just too much ice to be safely walking around but tomorrow it's game on.  Some of you have wondered how we can do this job in the cold but actually it's not that bad when you're moving along.  Speaking for myself I'm more than comfortable with my layers, scarf, hat, gloves etc.  I stop into a Micky D's or Dunkin' Donuts for coffee to warm up but for the most part, especially when the sun is shining, it's not a problem. 

Okay, end of the geeky technical discussion.  Warm wishes to all and keep the home fires burning.