Micro Minnie 1808FBS Cold Weather Questions

[Dogdog-FRF]

I know I don't have a four season camper but...
Looking for input on how get a better insulation for my 2021 1808FBS
I exclusively boondock, and while I don't camp in "winter", spring and fall temps near me often drop below freezing (and sometimes well below) and my camper is not very well comfortable under these conditions. I am working on improving that. I dont' mine sleeping while it is cold, but not happy when it gets dark in November at 5:30 and I'm stuck inside a unit that is cold, with the heater coming on WAYYY too often IMHO>

Questions:
1. Winnebago states that Micro Minnies have heated tanks: My unit has no switches for tanks, and the coach heater is not ducted. Does the 1808FBS actually have heated tanks?

2. What are the best ways to add/improve insulation?

I am really shocked by the lack of insulation and areas that open to the elements in my unit. Wheels wells are open inside, front storage has nothing to insulate the bed or around the walls that are under the bed, the area under the slide and sinks have lots of unsealed gaps and no insulation.
The roof does has fiberglass insulation, the walls are partly foam and I guess the floor has silver bubble wrap but that seems to be about all.

(I am thinking adding insulation/sealing the following)
A. on top of wheel wells, front storage area under and on top of bed, and under the slide, storage cabinets, using a combination of 5mm silver covered bubble wrap and fiberglass insulation and spray foam as needed
Perhaps foam board under bed? Might be squeaky tho?
B. window coverings made of silver bubble wrap
C. sealing and insulating the rooftop AC unit
D. Spray foam at plumbing inlets to the coach
E. Removing Coroplast on underbelly and adding foam or other insulation.
F. Velcro a hanging blanket or similar over the door for use when sleeping (ie not using the door)

Am I on the right track?
Will this actually help?
Also getting a Lithium battery for better results using the heater.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

You are planning a whole lot of work for miserably marginal gains, at best.

This is not the right trailer for sub-freezing camping, no matter how many "4 season" stickers the trailer may have. Since you're not doing this full-time, either learn to live with the heater cycling all night, condensation on the windows, and other joys, or change to a more suitable trailer.

What you want is a BigFoot. Or, at least, an Outdoors RV, Oliver, or ArcticFox.

 

[Gunny Rio]

I agree with eatSleepWolf here. Seems like you’re proposing a lot of work for minimum benefit(s).
We camp all seasons in our 2022 1708FB, including single-digit temps 4-5 times each winter. I would admit our trailer is modified for this, but not to the extent you’re proposing. We have the trailer fully winterized wrt the water systems & never have any water or waste in any of the tanks (We bring water in 6-gallon water jugs). For cold weather camping the two best modifications that really help us out are two BattleBorn Lithium Ions under the dinette and a hard-plumbed LPG outlet to run a buddy heater rather than the furnace. I would admit that the buddy heater is a ‘wet heat’. You’ll have to wipe the condensation off the windows every morning. For us, the 1708 is a great trailer but if you’re doing full-time cold weather camping perhaps the brands eatSleepWolf mentions may be a better option for you.

 

[Dogdog-FRF]

I agree with eatSleepWolf here. Seems like you’re proposing a lot of work for minimum benefit(s).
We camp all seasons in our 2022 1708FB, including single-digit temps 4-5 times each winter. I would admit our trailer is modified for this, but not to the extent you’re proposing. We have the trailer fully winterized wrt the water systems & never have any water or waste in any of the tanks (We bring water in 6-gallon water jugs). For cold weather camping the two best modifications that really help us out are two BattleBorn Lithium Ions under the dinette and a hard-plumbed LPG outlet to run a buddy heater rather than the furnace. I would admit that the buddy heater is a ‘wet heat’. You’ll have to wipe the condensation off the windows every morning. For us, the 1708 is a great trailer but if you’re doing full-time cold weather camping perhaps the brands eatSleepWolf mentions may be a better option for you.

To be clear, I am not looking for a full time cold weather rig.
I am looking to increase comfort in cold weather, with the occasional dip below freezing and possibly being stuck in well below freezing for a few days.
We like our rig and see no need to get a True Four Season, hence my inquiry.
With the exception of dropping the Coroplast, most of what I listed are pretty easy to do, not a lot of time and not a lot of money. I can do it all for less than $140 and an afternoon, but finding warm enough weather for spray insulation will be difficult so that might have to wait.
I am going to go ahead with what I have planned, and do some pre and post testing.

With that said, if anyone has any suggestions (other than buying a new camper) or constructive input please feel free to share.

 

[be happy]

I may be on the wrong track here as I have never had to winterize a rig to stay in for the cold months.

I have however seen many units winterized over the years. It seems that most of them will put a barrier between the units edge and the ground. It seems what you are planning may be ok but you are still dealing with the cold between ground and camper.

I believe some type of skirting around your unit will be a major help. You may want to put an electric heater under also to help with keeping things warmer.

Good Luck

 

[Dogdog-FRF]

I may be on the wrong track here as I have never had to winterize a rig to stay in for the cold months.

I have however seen many units winterized over the years. It seems that most of them will put a barrier between the units edge and the ground. It seems what you are planning may be ok but you are still dealing with the cold between ground and camper.

I believe some type of skirting around your unit will be a major help. You may want to put an electric heater under also to help with keeping things warmer.

Good Luck

Sorry but You are definitely on the wrong track....
Life is a reading test
I love the internet!

 

[BCam]

When I had a TT, my solution was an Olympian Wave RV heater. It can be portable or mounted, but I don't see a good mounting place in your floor plan. It does require a connection to either your rigs LPG tanks or to a supplemental tank. The supplemental tank would need to be outside so you may need to install a small access port in your sidewall for the hose, or install a quick connect on a T fitting connected to your stove's propane line. Although these use LPG, they don't consume electricity, which is the downside to using your built-in LPG furnace.

The other option is one of several models from Mr. Heater, which are also safe for interior use. They will operate off a 1lb cylinder, but this isn't practical for long term use. You can get an adapter hose and connect it to your rigs tank or supplemental tank as described above.

I've used both and both are effective although my permanently mounted Olympian was the best option for me. One advantage to keeping it portable is that they can be used outside.

Given the price difference, unless you think you can mount the Olympian, you might want to go the Mr. Heater route. Even if you do eventually decide on the Olympian, the Mr. Heater will still be useful (both are also available through Amazon):

https://camcooutdoors.com/olympian-wave-3-catalytic-safety-heater-3000-btu/
https://www.mrheater.com/product/heaters/buddy-series.html

Although these are all sold as safe for inside use, I'd make sure you have a functioning carbon monoxide alarm and some fresh air.

Here's one blogger's take on the two options:

https://wordpress.casacrm.io:8443/c...ddy heaters.,Buddy heaters are perfectly safe.

 

[Dogdog-FRF]

Good input thanks. I have a smaller A frame that I used sometimes and the Buddy Heater looks like a good purchase

 

[creativepart]

Sorry but You are definitely on the wrong track....
Life is a reading test
I love the internet!

Actually... he's right on. Many full-time RVers that winter in their RVs put skirting all around the outside. This is a super effective way to prepare an RV for cold weather use.

Many DIY the skirting but there are companies that sell it directly.

https://theskirtingco.com/
https://ezsnapdirect.com/products/rv-skirting

I too "love the internet."

 

[Thindirtline]

Boondocking in the cold

I like your ideas for added insulation. This will help some. Until you try it you won’t know how much. It sounds cost effective and the labor not too bad. If you try it please keep us posted. Take some pics.
If we know that it will be cold we find a campground or RV park with an electric hookup and use a small portable electric heater. We also bring warm clothes.
The skirt that folks mention would help but it could be a real hassle to set up and take down each time.
Pulling the chloroplast and adding some underbelly insulation would be a good second step if needed.
Good luck. Stay warm.
Scott

 

[Dogdog-FRF]

Actually... he's right on. Many full-time RVers that winter in their RVs put skirting all around the outside. This is a super effective way to prepare an RV for cold weather use.

Many DIY the skirting but there are companies that sell it directly.

https://theskirtingco.com/
https://ezsnapdirect.com/products/rv-skirting

I too "love the internet."

I wonder why folks don't actually read posts/questions before they respond?
I AM NOT looking to do anything other than make my camper better insulated for the shoulder seasons when it gets pretty cold here in the Rockies and the desert
NOT full time, and I'm fully aware I do not have a four season camper (I think that is truly the first line of my original post)
Those that continue to disregard my actual questions shall be mocked incessantly and may get a picture posted of their mother wearing army boots. Don't say you were not warned........

 

[Joshbap]

@mokibear

What we did to ours to help. Simple and cheap. Like you, we pretty much only boondock.

I used spray foam insulation cans and filled all the piping/wiring gaps under counters and around wheel wells.

Filled all gaps around frame/chloroplast

We replaced our jackknife couch with a memory foam bed. Under that we used 1/4” foam insulation from Home Depot and I layed a 1/4” plywood piece on top of that to prevent “crackling” sound.

Same with our mattress on the bed.

I stuffed pool noodles around bed in front between the storage area and cabin.

In storage area I lined with 1/4” foam insulation and stapled bubble insulation in areas I needed to work around support stuff. All pretty simple stuff, but I feel like it helped. I can show u some pics too if that would help?
Good luck and thanks

 

[creativepart]

I wonder why folks don't actually read posts/questions before they respond?
Those that continue to disregard my actual questions shall be mocked incessantly and may get a picture posted of their mother wearing army boots. Don't say you were not warned........

Now I see why you said what you did in post #6. Shame.

Mocking others that spend their time simply trying to help you is, besides being rude and unnecessary, pretty much against the rules here.

Now you've been warned.

Look, this ifs a forum. Threads don't stay on topic. People post whatever they want regardless of what you want them to do. You don't own this thread you start it and send it out into the World and it goes where it goes. You are not the boss of it.

You'll just have to be mature enough to accept that if you're going to post on a public forum.

 

[Bnystrom]

Do a little research before you start insulating. The "5mm silver covered bubble wrap" (a.k.a., "Refletix") that you referred to is a radiant heat barrier, that has virtually zero insulating value. It works great for reflecting summer solar heat when installed in windows, but it's not going to do much of anything for you in the winter.

Sealing penetrations is always worthwhile, as it reduces heat loss and also helps to rodent-proof your rig.

 

[Bobn1957]

I agree with eatSleepWolf here. Seems like you’re proposing a lot of work for minimum benefit(s).
We camp all seasons in our 2022 1708FB, including single-digit temps 4-5 times each winter. I would admit our trailer is modified for this, but not to the extent you’re proposing. We have the trailer fully winterized wrt the water systems & never have any water or waste in any of the tanks (We bring water in 6-gallon water jugs). For cold weather camping the two best modifications that really help us out are two BattleBorn Lithium Ions under the dinette and a hard-plumbed LPG outlet to run a buddy heater rather than the furnace. I would admit that the buddy heater is a ‘wet heat’. You’ll have to wipe the condensation off the windows every morning. For us, the 1708 is a great trailer but if you’re doing full-time cold weather camping perhaps the brands eatSleepWolf mentions may be a better option for you.

Running a propane heater in an enclosed space is dangerous! The CO created can be deadly and you can't smell it!

 

[Morich]

I've tried the cold weather in Rv and the one big thing we learned was they are not good for cold weather!
One big thing is that most are built in a way that we can almost blow through the walls, floor and ceiling!
Second problem is heat goes up! So how much is too much becomes the first problem and we each get to decide on that. My group gave up and stick built portables as we could build them for what we required with good insulation planned from start.
If we started with the RV floor, we had several problems to keep the cold from coming from below. Even if we did away with most nay use of water by no running water, no bathroom, etc. we still had the problem of too much cold.
If left the potatoes on the floor, we found them frozen when we got up. The jug of water for vital things was easy to be left on the floor and freeze.

So we had to rethink keeping the cold out from under! We tried several versions. Straw was cheap so we tried it and it worked as well as anything we tried . But it was a terrible pain to deal with and we dropped that idea, even though we had access to free and lots of trucks to move it! Just that we were way short on folks wanting to do the moving!
It CAN be done but getting the floor to a point that it doesn't radiate cold is tough if air goes under it! So that moves you into stopping the air and that then leads to massive effort every time you want to move!
We mostly stopped as we got a better outlook on what was "FUN" !

 

[Joshbap]

I once watched a video on a guy who had a different trailer than I, but was camping high up In Canada. I’m yet to try this, but he bought these gym puzzle mats and simply lates In on his floor and said that helped A LOT. I’ll try and put the link up on here for you. They’re about 1/5” think foam. Cushy and insulating.
https://a.co/d/czMdTuO