Wintering in a purpose built coach

Scott & Heather · December 06, 2020, 04:45:47 AM

Just logged back in and can't figure out why my last thread about wintering in our bus got locked, (I think it's my first thread lock ever) but anyway, some of you were wondering if we'd be ok wintering in the bus. BW pointed out that we indeed have a purpose built coach just for this reason. We have four (yes only four) windows two of which are small and our windows are dual pane as well. Coach was professionally spray foam insulated. We also have a double 3/4" wood floor with a 1.5" spray foam sand which in between. In addition to our spray foam insulation there is a layer of rockwool in the ceiling as well as a layer of plastic lined flooring felt in the walls. We the have a front drivers cab area sealed off with a wall and a solid wood door to keep the coach living quarters completely separate from the cab with all the glass and air leakage at the entrance door. With our setup, we keep the coach toasty (73°F) with merely two 1500 watt space heaters that click on and off happily throughput the day. One in the living room and one in our bedroom. We also have twin heat pumps in the ceiling (air command) that put out 15,000 btu of heat if the temp is in the mid twenties to thirties or more. Again, we have wintered in a record cold for michigan at -28°F and stayed completely comfortable and warm. We have one small space heater in my plumbing bay to keep our water from freezing and that is set to literally just keep temps in my dedicated plumbing bay in the high 30's to lower 40's in temp. When I designed my bus I deliberately concentrated 100% of my plumbing in the rear most bay for this exact reason. One heated bay does the trick. As Clifford said, if we really needed to, we could winter in Florida with Jack and Paula Conrad who are like grandparents to our little girls now or we could park in Scottsdale AZ for free too at a place we have connections with and have a free place to park in Fort Worth Texas too but for several reasons including aging family in Michigan, we need to be there this winter for now. We will enjoy it. I'm an avid snowboarder and my two and five year old girls haven't seen real snow in their lifetimes so this will be fun.

Scott & Heather · December 06, 2020, 04:51:44 AM

More photos:

richard5933 · December 06, 2020, 04:58:56 AM

Thanks for the info on the bus Scott. I'd forgotten about all the work you did on the build to bring you to this point. Looks like you'll be comfy.

Curious what you do for fresh air exchange while the bus is set for the winter heating season. Did you incorporate fresh air vents or is there still enough leakage to provide air exchange to keep down moisture and provide fresh air?

Jriddle · December 06, 2020, 05:28:14 AM

We did a similar build. I have not stayed the winter in Montana yet with the bus but would not be afraid to try LOL. The only weak area is the very front of the bus. Plenty of cold air comes from this area. We put our 100 gallon waste and fresh water tanks in an insulated box.

John

Jriddle · December 06, 2020, 05:32:45 AM

We added 3/4 inch insulating board to the walls.

John

luvrbus · December 06, 2020, 05:33:03 AM

39* in Scottsdale @ 6 AM is cold enough for me ,I have worked in -20* before that is cold to cold to be playing in for me

chessie4905 · December 06, 2020, 09:13:05 AM

we keep our bathroom vent cracked an inch or two to control moisture.

Jim Blackwood · December 06, 2020, 10:10:13 AM

I hate cold. The whole reason for building the bus is to be able to get away from the cold. My fond hope is to be able to go south for the winter. If I can stay above 45 degrees I'll be a happy man.

Jim

dtcerrato · December 06, 2020, 02:05:11 PM

It's going to 40 tonight so I guess Florida is out!

lvmci · December 06, 2020, 08:22:53 PM

But your from Las Vegas...

sledhead · December 07, 2020, 05:30:40 AM

this will be the first time in 20 years we have not gone south to Florida . covid covid covid

stay warm

dave

Jim Blackwood · December 07, 2020, 09:57:13 AM

Quote from: dtcerrato on December 06, 2020, 02:05:11 PM
It's going to 40 tonight so I guess Florida is out!

Just go south...er.

Jim

luvrbus · December 07, 2020, 12:16:42 PM

I have 4 of these from a military field kitchen diesel fired I am going to carry one for emergency use they are self contained and adjustable from 16,000 btu to 60,000 btu they are light weight and only 10 inches high x 18 square one may come in handy in case of a break down

Glennman · December 07, 2020, 01:20:33 PM

It looks like you guys (the pictures of the insulated floor) raised the floor level a bit. No issues with ceiling heights I take it (?)

luvrbus · December 07, 2020, 02:00:17 PM

Quote from: Glennman on December 07, 2020, 01:20:33 PM
It looks like you guys (the pictures of the insulated floor) raised the floor level a bit. No issues with ceiling heights I take it (?)

Floor heat works if concerned with the celling heights, it can be hydro or electric and takes care of the bays while heating ,I have stone floors and love my floor heat