Best 5th wheel for Alaskan winter (Kenai, Bethel: to rent, how much, houses)

[moonbear]

My husband and I plus our two teenage sons are planning on moving to Alaska and building a log home somewhere near Talkeetna. While we were building we were planning on living in a camper, preferably a 5th wheel. We have looked at the Keystone Montana and are very impressed with it. However, I thought I would just ask to see if anyone on here has ever experienced an Alaskan winter in an RV and what they would recommend.

[ozarksaints]

travel trailers are hot in the summer and cold in the winter....lived in a lot of em, never lived in the really nice ones though, so not sure how much of a difference that would make if ya got a hi dollar one that was more of a northern edition.

[starlite9]

No matter whatever one you get, you will need to skirt it with insulation and put at least a second layer of plastic film over the windows. The hot water heaters won't work well without freezing once it hits -10 and at -50 the pipes will burst. Unless you put RV antifreeze in the pipes and don't use the water system and use an outhouse, you can get by. Your propane heater will be on all the time since they aren't designed to be out in that kind of cold unless you build a Shed around the camper or a leanto against it and put a wood or other source of heat to it.

Can be done, but it won't be comfortable. You could just go and buy an insulated "Alaska Tent" and put a wood stove in it. They are a bit more spacous if you have the right one and more comfortable. Having a hard shell camper for the summer months will keep the bears out....

Alaska Tent & Tarp :: Welcome to Alaska Tent & Tarp

[richelles]

Originally Posted by moonbear

My husband and I plus our two teenage sons are planning on moving to Alaska and building a log home somewhere near Talkeetna. While we were building we were planning on living in a camper, preferably a 5th wheel. We have looked at the Keystone Montana and are very impressed with it. However, I thought I would just ask to see if anyone on here has ever experienced an Alaskan winter in an RV and what they would recommend.

I had a 40 ft. Holiday Rambler fifth wheel with an Arctic Pac in the Chicago area for one winter and it was comfortable in that climate but 100 lb propane tanks didn't last very long. The heating system had several vents through the floor and was able to keep the interior comfortable. I don't remember the coldest temperature that year but I'm sure it was in single digits. The most serious problems I saw was the outside plumbing was hard to keep from freezing in spite of heating cables and the no vestibule door for entry was great for bringing in loads of cold air. I wouldn't do it again during another winter however.

[NomadicBear]

Another problem is ice building up on the floor and around the windows.

[Moose Whisperer]

Allot of people put up a small pre-fab log cabin and live in that while building their main house. The kits can be had for a fraction of the cost of a big 5th wheel. Much warmer and more durable too. And when you are done you have a mother-in-law cabin on the property.

Of course, I've also known people that have lived in a 40 ft cargo container while building their house!

[warptman]

Spend a fraction of a fifth wheel and get a small cabin build up by yourself or any company in Alaska. This guy has build some houses here in Bethel...

Friesen's Custom Cabins - Plan 1

[warptman]

SBS Home Improvement

[mellockwo]

Hi All, I was wondering if anyone could give me information about moving to Bethel Alaska; i.e., information about transportation, finding a spot to rent, cost of living, and any other things I'll need to know about relocating to Bethel. I'm on a very limited budget so will have to save money any way I can.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by moonbear

My husband and I plus our two teenage sons are planning on moving to Alaska and building a log home somewhere near Talkeetna. While we were building we were planning on living in a camper, preferably a 5th wheel. We have looked at the Keystone Montana and are very impressed with it. However, I thought I would just ask to see if anyone on here has ever experienced an Alaskan winter in an RV and what they would recommend.

We did on the Kenai Peninsula where it is "warmer" than the interior.... Even with a good winter and not below 0....we still shut off the water intake, had frozen or dripping windows, and the gas really does not go long. We heated with an auxillary heater, but every time I heated water to do dishes or cooked, the windows fogged and froze, or dripped...needing to wiped down to not have going down the wall....rent some place that is somewhat insulated and much cheaper to maintain...