Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc
| [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220112] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 14:10  |
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fitzmorrispr
Messages: 137
Registered: February 2013
Location: Los Angeles
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I am considering going to ND to work in the oil fields, and bringing the
Greatfruit along to sidestep the housing shortage, but I am concerned about
being able to survive through the winter. One thig for sure: I would want
to avoid driving it on salted roads. If I could find a barn to park it in...
Anyhow, so the obstacle to this scheme is keeping warm in 30 below weather.
That, and getting the thing up there, which isn't happaning until I source
an oil slinger, and do the timing chain r/r, and flush the radiator, and
change all the oils, and, and, and...
You get the idea.
Do they make a flue extension that can be used with the suburban furnace?
I'm thinking something like a snorkel.
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The Greatfruit: 1973, 26', Canyon Lands or Painted Desert, in Pineapple Yellow
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220114 is a reply to message #220112] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 14:12  |
Robin Hood
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
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If it's going to be parked, I wonder if you could build a strawbale garage
around it.
On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 2:10 PM, Patrick Fitzmorris
<fitzmorrispr@gmail.com>wrote:
> I am considering going to ND to work in the oil fields, and bringing the
> Greatfruit along to sidestep the housing shortage, but I am concerned about
> being able to survive through the winter. One thig for sure: I would want
> to avoid driving it on salted roads. If I could find a barn to park it
> in...
>
> Anyhow, so the obstacle to this scheme is keeping warm in 30 below weather.
> That, and getting the thing up there, which isn't happaning until I source
> an oil slinger, and do the timing chain r/r, and flush the radiator, and
> change all the oils, and, and, and...
>
> You get the idea.
>
> Do they make a flue extension that can be used with the suburban furnace?
> I'm thinking something like a snorkel.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Robin Hood
Jackson, MS
2013 Subaru Outback "Top Flight"
1968 Pontiac Catalina "The Cheshire Cat"
1978 GMC Royale motorhome "Pinto Bean"
1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome "Barn Queen"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220115 is a reply to message #220112] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 14:19 |
habbyguy
Messages: 896
Registered: May 2012
Location: Mesa, AZ
Karma: 3
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I find that my gas furnace would probably keep me warm on the moon (it's an updated unit installed by my beloved PO).
The biggest problem at that temperature is going to be keeping the entire plumbing system from freezing solid (rupturing all your lines and tanks). Don't know how you'd avoid it, honestly - unless you find HEATED inside storage.
OTOH, what do I know about cold weather? I live in Arizona...
Mark Hickey
Mesa, AZ
1978 Royale Center Kitchen
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220116 is a reply to message #220114] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 14:17 |
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fitzmorrispr
Messages: 137
Registered: February 2013
Location: Los Angeles
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Say, that sounds like a lrety good idea...
I'll have to add that to my "to research" list
On Aug 27, 2013 12:12 PM, "Robin Hood" <loxley@gmail.com> wrote:
> If it's going to be parked, I wonder if you could build a strawbale garage
> around it.
>
>
> On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 2:10 PM, Patrick Fitzmorris
> <fitzmorrispr@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> > I am considering going to ND to work in the oil fields, and bringing the
> > Greatfruit along to sidestep the housing shortage, but I am concerned
> about
> > being able to survive through the winter. One thig for sure: I would want
> > to avoid driving it on salted roads. If I could find a barn to park it
> > in...
> >
> > Anyhow, so the obstacle to this scheme is keeping warm in 30 below
> weather.
> > That, and getting the thing up there, which isn't happaning until I
> source
> > an oil slinger, and do the timing chain r/r, and flush the radiator, and
> > change all the oils, and, and, and...
> >
> > You get the idea.
> >
> > Do they make a flue extension that can be used with the suburban furnace?
> > I'm thinking something like a snorkel.
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Robin Hood
> Jackson, MS
> 2013 Subaru Outback "Top Flight"
> 1968 Pontiac Catalina "The Cheshire Cat"
> 1978 GMC Royale motorhome "Pinto Bean"
> 1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome "Barn Queen"
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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The Greatfruit: 1973, 26', Canyon Lands or Painted Desert, in Pineapple Yellow
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220118 is a reply to message #220112] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 14:35 |
Cadillackeeper
Messages: 464
Registered: October 2012
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Karma: 1
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Mine cooks us out as well but,You did not read Thirty Below Zero. I been in Thirties
afraid of the water too. Back room tank gets warm from inside,but the rubber hoses
to the motor are outside and under.I guess if it was kept running the water in them
could keep from freezing.Maybe a few strategic placed space heaters when parked.
Sounds like some money to be made and Kept if you can live it out in the UAV!!!
77 455 Elaganza II and 67 Animal, Built 500 Powered Eldo
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220119 is a reply to message #220118] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 14:52 |
Ronald Pottol
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
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Yeah, I don't see how you can keep it from freezing without spending a
fortune. Skirts around it, and a space heater?
Something more like this
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/expedition-vehicles/933305-f-700-4x4-camper.htmlwould
be better.
Those big GMC windows are great, except they are R1 for insulation, I'd
cover them, inside and out. Hell, cover the whole machine with silvered
bubblewrap.
On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 12:35 PM, anthony ezzo <ezzo@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>
> Mine cooks us out as well but,You did not read Thirty Below Zero. I been
> in Thirties
> afraid of the water too. Back room tank gets warm from inside,but the
> rubber hoses
> to the motor are outside and under.I guess if it was kept running the
> water in them
> could keep from freezing.Maybe a few strategic placed space heaters when
> parked.
> Sounds like some money to be made and Kept if you can live it out in the
> UAV!!!
> --
> 77 455 Elaganza II and 67 Animal, Built 500 Powered Eldo
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Plato seems wrong to me today.
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1973 26' GM outfitted
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220120 is a reply to message #220112] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 15:05 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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ADVICE:
I have some crews working in the oil field areas, and I have been out there quite a few times. Even though I do not work for the oil companies. (work for telephone companies there).
campers are no good up in the oil fields in the winter. Many people try, but it is usually a fight and disaster. pipes will freeze, no place to get rid of your holding tanks. you will spend a fortune in propane.
there are some "man camps" that are built out of campers, but boy are they just getting run down and constant problems. Most of the man camps are more of a park model, or small modular home.
not only does it get cold up there, it gets windy. it is just a tough place to be in the winter.
If you are serious about working out in that area. send me a private message. there is lodging out there, they are building like crazy. and I think they are starting to get caught up with places to stay, but the problem is the cost has not come down.
also depends on what you plan on doing out there for work, and where you need to be stationed at.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220121 is a reply to message #220119] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 15:09 |
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fitzmorrispr
Messages: 137
Registered: February 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Yeah. I had been considering the silver bubble wrap window treatment. Now
I'm thinking that, plus a tarp covering the whole body, plus brick stacked
haybales secured with big straps. A coaxial flue extension for the heater,
so exhaust gases will preheat subzero intake air, some kind of vestibule,
perhaps a prefab shed wrapped in more bales, for door access...
Maybe an exhaust snorkel for the Onan, if a hookup cannot be arranged.
Using subzero air for cooling should keep risks down there...
Completely nuts?
On Aug 27, 2013 12:52 PM, "Ronald Pottol" <ronaldpottol@gmail.com> wrote:
> Yeah, I don't see how you can keep it from freezing without spending a
> fortune. Skirts around it, and a space heater?
>
> Something more like this
>
> http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/expedition-vehicles/933305-f-700-4x4-camper.htmlwould
> be better.
>
> Those big GMC windows are great, except they are R1 for insulation, I'd
> cover them, inside and out. Hell, cover the whole machine with silvered
> bubblewrap.
>
>
> On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 12:35 PM, anthony ezzo <ezzo@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > Mine cooks us out as well but,You did not read Thirty Below Zero. I been
> > in Thirties
> > afraid of the water too. Back room tank gets warm from inside,but the
> > rubber hoses
> > to the motor are outside and under.I guess if it was kept running the
> > water in them
> > could keep from freezing.Maybe a few strategic placed space heaters when
> > parked.
> > Sounds like some money to be made and Kept if you can live it out in the
> > UAV!!!
> > --
> > 77 455 Elaganza II and 67 Animal, Built 500 Powered Eldo
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Plato seems wrong to me today.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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>
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The Greatfruit: 1973, 26', Canyon Lands or Painted Desert, in Pineapple Yellow
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220125 is a reply to message #220112] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 15:36 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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Senior Member |
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| fitzmorrispr wrote on Tue, 27 August 2013 14:10 |
I am considering going to ND to work in the oil fields, and bringing the Greatfruit along to sidestep the housing shortage, but I am concerned about being able to survive through the winter. One thig for sure: I would want to avoid driving it on salted roads. If I could find a barn to park it in...
Anyhow, so the obstacle to this scheme is keeping warm in 30 below weather.
That, and getting the thing up there, which isn't happaning until I source an oil slinger, and do the timing chain r/r, and flush the radiator, and change all the oils, and, and, and...
You get the idea.
Do they make a flue extension that can be used with the suburban furnace?
I'm thinking something like a snorkel.
|
Don't know about a snorkel, but for the rest, start here: http://gmcws.org/tech.htm#Theory and Practice of GMC
But I don't think a GMC, by itself, can be insulated well enough to live in through a North Dakota Winter.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220130 is a reply to message #220112] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 16:37 |
powerjon
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Patrick,
I am going to be very realistic with you, I know cold having lived in Michigan in the winter since I was born. Your GMC "WILL NOT" survive a North Dakota winter, no matter what you do to it, the coaches water lines, tanks and drains will freeze and bust and finding indoor heated storage is slim and none. RV manufactures do produce cold weather packages for RV's and 5th wheels. It is a 7 to 10 thousand dollar adder to the cost of a new coach. I have a friend that has one, nothing is exposed to the elements. All the lines both fresh and black are electrically heat traced and covered with special insulation, all the tanks are heated and insulated too. The system is also monitored with temp sensors to control the line temps and tank temps and alarms to detect problems. The coach also has double pane insulated windows and special insulation in the wall, ceiling and floors.
I have to ask what are your skills to work in the oil patch. Don't show up without a job! It takes a current CDL valid for ND for most jobs and the living cost are still very high as decent housing is a premium. I worked in the oil fields in the 80's doing instrumentation for wells and pipelines and it is a tough business to work in. Not to discourage you, it can be rewarding, but be prepare to spend 2 to 3 years.
JR Wright
78 Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion
Michigan
On Aug 27, 2013, at 3:10 PM, Patrick Fitzmorris <fitzmorrispr@gmail.com> wrote:
> I am considering going to ND to work in the oil fields, and bringing the
> Greatfruit along to sidestep the housing shortage, but I am concerned about
> being able to survive through the winter. One thig for sure: I would want
> to avoid driving it on salted roads. If I could find a barn to park it in...
>
> Anyhow, so the obstacle to this scheme is keeping warm in 30 below weather.
> That, and getting the thing up there, which isn't happaning until I source
> an oil slinger, and do the timing chain r/r, and flush the radiator, and
> change all the oils, and, and, and...
>
> You get the idea.
>
> Do they make a flue extension that can be used with the suburban furnace?
> I'm thinking something like a snorkel.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220135 is a reply to message #220130] |
Tue, 27 August 2013 18:42 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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A GMC in ND?
No way, you'd have to bury the thing in insulation.
30+ below is very very cold. It makes metal brittle, oil turns into molasses.
Water better be 3 feet from any exterior wall.
Call John, he'll help you out
Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220161 is a reply to message #220112] |
Wed, 28 August 2013 01:38 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Let me say that North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and Wyoming was my territory for several years. I ran around those states in winter and summer. There is no way you are going to insulate that coach well enough to keep from freezing it in the wind in the winter.
If you decide to do it, you will have to have a reliable source of shore power, propane, water, and sewer that will not freeze. Then order a semi load of bales of straw or alfalfa (hay) and start building yourself a complete (4 sides) and roof around that motor home. I do not know if the motorhome roof would support all of that weight. You could build the sides and then put 2x6's across the top of the bales to support some of the roof hay bales' weight. I would not recommend doing this.
I was out in Central and Western N. Dakota and Eastern Montana in the Bakken oil fields last summer (2012). There is a huge building boom going on everywhere west of Minot. Especially around Williston. There are also billboards advertising for new workers to call the state employment office for assistance in finding housing. I would call the state of N. Dakota Employment office and ask them for ideas. I heard that fully equipped modular houses were renting for $3000 per month on a 1 year lease. So I can see why you are looking to do something on your own.
It is cold and very windy at times in the winter in N. Dakota. I spent 3 days and 2 nights snow bound in a small rest area in Montana one time in the 1980's. I spent most of the time inside the state rest building and slept in my car at night. Every 4 hours I would start the car and let it warmup.
Good Luck
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220163 is a reply to message #220112] |
Wed, 28 August 2013 02:17 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Have a chaplin wood stove made that heats water that you pump around the whole rig this guy in UK
makes the best little ones you can ever find. email him and ask for pictures.
<blancouk@hotmail.com>
these little stoves are used on small boats in the UK. he makes them from scratch and they are great.
live warm and dangerous, but warm. mick
anaheim ca. 77 palm beach.
On Aug 27, 2013, at 12:10 PM, Patrick Fitzmorris wrote:
> I am considering going to ND to work in the oil fields, and bringing the
> Greatfruit along to sidestep the housing shortage, but I am concerned about
> being able to survive through the winter. One thig for sure: I would want
> to avoid driving it on salted roads. If I could find a barn to park it in...
>
> Anyhow, so the obstacle to this scheme is keeping warm in 30 below weather.
> That, and getting the thing up there, which isn't happaning until I source
> an oil slinger, and do the timing chain r/r, and flush the radiator, and
> change all the oils, and, and, and...
>
> You get the idea.
>
> Do they make a flue extension that can be used with the suburban furnace?
> I'm thinking something like a snorkel.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220172 is a reply to message #220112] |
Wed, 28 August 2013 08:21 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Your biggest problem is going to be finding a place to park anything. The
demand far exceeds the supply and the housing shortage borders on
ridiculous. Any open space near employment has been taken, new places just
aren't being built. My younger lived an entire winter in his Jeep Cherokee
with a propane sunflower for heat. Towards Spring, he took a job that put
him in a motel room two days a week as partial payment of wages. I asked
him if it was true that McDonalds burger flippers were really making
$20/hour. He said yes, but couldn't answer my question about how much a
Big Mac cost because the lines were so long, it just wasn't worth the fuel
and waiting.
Steve F
On Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 12:10 PM, Patrick Fitzmorris <fitzmorrispr@gmail.com
> wrote:
> I am considering going to ND to work in the oil fields, and bringing the
> Greatfruit along to sidestep the housing shortage, but I am concerned about
> being able to survive through the winter. One thig for sure: I would want
> to avoid driving it on salted roads. If I could find a barn to park it
> in...
>
> Anyhow, so the obstacle to this scheme is keeping warm in 30 below weather.
> That, and getting the thing up there, which isn't happaning until I source
> an oil slinger, and do the timing chain r/r, and flush the radiator, and
> change all the oils, and, and, and...
>
> You get the idea.
>
> Do they make a flue extension that can be used with the suburban furnace?
> I'm thinking something like a snorkel.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Take care,
Steve
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| Re: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc [message #220190 is a reply to message #220112] |
Wed, 28 August 2013 10:08 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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Go to Karnes County Tejas instead. Same oil boom, same housing shortage, a hell of a lot warmer in the winter. Be sure the A/C works though.
--johnny
'76 23' transmode norris
'76 palm beach
--------------------------------------------
On Tue, 8/27/13, Patrick Fitzmorris <fitzmorrispr@gmail.com> wrote:
Subject: [GMCnet] Winter living in a gmc
To: "gmclist" <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Date: Tuesday, August 27, 2013, 7:10 PM
I am considering going to ND to work
in the oil fields, and bringing the
Greatfruit along to sidestep the housing shortage, but I am
concerned about
being able to survive through the winter. One thig for sure:
I would want
to avoid driving it on salted roads. If I could find a barn
to park it in...
Anyhow, so the obstacle to this scheme is keeping warm in 30
below weather.
That, and getting the thing up there, which isn't happaning
until I source
an oil slinger, and do the timing chain r/r, and flush the
radiator, and
change all the oils, and, and, and...
You get the idea.
Do they make a flue extension that can be used with the
suburban furnace?
I'm thinking something like a snorkel.
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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