Ski RV's, who's sleeping in parking lots?

[evdog]

Thinking of trading out my 4x4 Tacoma for a van and having a hard time swallowing the prices of 4x4 vans. Being in CA, I encounter chain controls with some frequency, but with 4x4 and M+S tires, I never have to chain up. Is it worthwhile to find a 4x4 van or will I be fine with something like a RWD Econoline with snow tires + chains? Or would something FWD + chains be better? I guess the other alternative, which is honestly a bit more appealing, is to find a pop up camper and keep the Taco.

I have a Tacoma with a pop up (wedge) camper, a Superpacific. It's been awesome, but might not be the best for ski camping if you do that a lot. Pop up campers are notoriously poorly insulated. SP does have an insulation kit you can buy for the upper tent, but I imagine it would still be cold. A diesel heater with the insulation would make it more manageable. I've camped in my SP down to about 20F and it's not bad with plenty of blankets or a warm bag. But that is just occasional use and it's still not awesome to hang out in from sundown to bedtime.

That is what I bought it for though, but typical Socal conditions aren't usually that cold. It definitely is better to hang out in though when temps at night are cold and it's windy, and it gets dark at 5pm - which is exactly when it sucks hanging out outside. Before buying the SP I would usually sleep in a bivy next to the truck - not great for hanging out in. So the camper is a lot better for sure.

It's a tradeoff for sure. If you do a lot of winter camping a van might be the better option. If you drive a lot of rough roads the rest of the year the Taco + pop up camper is worth considering. The SP and others like GFC (including needed options) aren't cheap though.

[Perlhammered]

I have a Tacoma with a pop up (wedge) camper, a Superpacific. It's been awesome, but might not be the best for ski camping if you do that a lot. Pop up campers are notoriously poorly insulated. SP does have an insulation kit you can buy for the upper tent, but I imagine it would still be cold. A diesel heater with the insulation would make it more manageable. I've camped in my SP down to about 20F and it's not bad with plenty of blankets or a warm bag. But that is just occasional use and it's still not awesome to hang out in from sundown to bedtime.

That is what I bought it for though, but typical Socal conditions aren't usually that cold. It definitely is better to hang out in though when temps at night are cold and it's windy, and it gets dark at 5pm - which is exactly when it sucks hanging out outside. Before buying the SP I would usually sleep in a bivy next to the truck - not great for hanging out in. So the camper is a lot better for sure.

It's a tradeoff for sure. If you do a lot of winter camping a van might be the better option. If you drive a lot of rough roads the rest of the year the Taco + pop up camper is worth considering. The SP and others like GFC (including needed options) aren't cheap though.

I'm in SoCal too, so temps aren't generally too terrible. But I do like to stay in the truck when I head up to Mammoth and its a little colder at night. Hanging in the cab is fine, but it would be nicer to be able to stretch out a bit. A GFC-style pop up would be really nice, but I'm thinking more along the lines of a slide-in RV style pop up with a bit more in the way of creature comforts at the expense of pick-up storage. Should be able to find a used one for a few grand rather than closer to 10 for a GFC.

[garyfromterrace]

Saddleback Mountain in Maine

1. Zero, zilch, nada

2. A parking spot in the lot furthest from the lodge

3. Tell guest services desk your Make/Model/Color/License plate and cell phone # for if the plow guy needs to contact you to move your rig.

4. 2-3 campers midweek and 8-10 on weekends

5. A porta-potty in the corner of the parking lot would be nice.

Thanks singlecross!

Love to hear from a couple more mags before I write up my little summary of other folks ski camping situation.

[alpinevibes]

I think Awd transit is the move. And i hate ford. Promasters are fwd but junk. Sprinters are nice till they break down. Which happens frequently. I have a awd econoline for work. It is a tank. But they stopped making them.

This. I have two Transit AWD, three Transit RWD and a Transit Quigley 4x4, all six have good non-studded snow tires. The RWD’s are ok, but struggle on mild uphill starts with snow. The 4x4 is bomber but the wheel cut is bad when 4wd is engaged. The TAWD are the easiest and I’ve had no issues in any conditions. Get the non-turbo engine, it’s fine with weight/altitude and won’t cost you a fortune when the eco-boost fries itself.

[jackattack]

This. I have two Transit AWD, three Transit RWD and a Transit Quigley 4x4, all six have good non-studded snow tires. The RWD’s are ok, but struggle on mild uphill starts with snow. The 4x4 is bomber but the wheel cut is bad when 4wd is engaged. The TAWD are the easiest and I’ve had no issues in any conditions. Get the non-turbo engine, it’s fine with weight/altitude and won’t cost you a fortune when the eco-boost fries itself.

What kind of mileage do you get with the NA v6? Is it a high roof?

I had one in a work truck and it guzzled fuel and was constantly running high rpm’s on 2 lane highways.

[toast2266]

Thanks a ton jackattack, toastybroski, cat in january, crashidy, SchralphMacchio for replying to my survey re camping in parking lots. Be great if anyone else that camps at their hill would chime in, I'm going to throw a report together in the next few days as we're trying to figure out the on-hill camping thing at Shames going forward. Here's the survey questions if you've a few minutes to spare:

- how much do you pay per night (if anything)?

- what do you get for your money? What amenities/benefits (other than camping at the ski hill)?

- how is it regulated (do you tell the main office you're camping, is there a camping attendant who monitors camping and collects money?

- is there many folks at your hill that take advantage of the opportunity to overnight?

- anything on your wish list with regards to your ski hill overnight parking sitch?

I don't personally use it since I live 15 minutes away, but whitefish offers camping.

$25 / night
No amenities or hook ups.
Check in with the resort on the day of.
First come first serve basis. Seems like there's usually a handful of RV's there. They can probably fit 10 campers or so. I haven't paid close attention to it, but I bet it fills up on busy weekends / holidays.

[alpinevibes]

What kind of mileage do you get with the NA v6? Is it a high roof?

I had one in a work truck and it guzzled fuel and was constantly running high rpm’s on 2 lane highways.

The three RWD NA 3.7 are dually Bluebird 14pass short school buses (effectively high roof with additional body drag too) that weigh ~10,000lbs and run snow tires year round. Their computers show 15-16mpg average for mostly highway driving here in the valley. The two AWD 3.7 are Medium roof, LWB passenger vans with 15 seats running snow tires year round. They have 17-18mpg averages on their computers and generally have more highway miles than the RWD buses.

The Quiqley Cargo van is a High Roof, ELWB with the 3.5EcoBoost; pretty much empty inside and runs snow tires year round. It has a mix of highway/town miles and sees a mix of being loaded down with 2000-40000lbs payload and/or towing and also a fair amount of miles being driven empty. It averages 16.2 mpg.

[Foggy_Goggles]

Are those AWDs 3/4 tons? I'm assuming they are full of passengers mostly? I would have guessed a bit higher. Interesting.

[alpinevibes]

Are those AWDs 3/4 tons? I'm assuming they are full of passengers mostly? I would have guessed a bit higher. Interesting.

They're all Transit 350 or 350HD. The RWD are heavy with the bus body on them; otherwise no. I'd say the AWD and cargo van's are empty or mostly empty for 30-40% of their mileage

[SchralphMacchio]

Enjoying a spring teaser at the local hill before winter returns on Monday

[frorider]

Hey any van owners have a recommendation for a windshield external cover that holds up well to temp and precip cycles? Years ago I had a cheap one (for a car) and after a rain / snow / cold cycle it stuck to the glass so much it was hard to remove without damaging it.

[garyfromterrace]

I don't personally use it since I live 15 minutes away, but whitefish offers camping.

$25 / night
No amenities or hook ups.
Check in with the resort on the day of.
First come first serve basis. Seems like there's usually a handful of RV's there. They can probably fit 10 campers or so. I haven't paid close attention to it, but I bet it fills up on busy weekends / holidays.

Thanks toast!

[riff]

Hey any van owners have a recommendation for a windshield external cover that holds up well to temp and precip cycles? Years ago I had a cheap one (for a car) and after a rain / snow / cold cycle it stuck to the glass so much it was hard to remove without damaging it.

A piece of visqueen! Lasts forever and many other uses for the roll….


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[evdog]

I'm in SoCal too, so temps aren't generally too terrible. But I do like to stay in the truck when I head up to Mammoth and its a little colder at night. Hanging in the cab is fine, but it would be nicer to be able to stretch out a bit. A GFC-style pop up would be really nice, but I'm thinking more along the lines of a slide-in RV style pop up with a bit more in the way of creature comforts at the expense of pick-up storage. Should be able to find a used one for a few grand rather than closer to 10 for a GFC.

Yeah the wedge camper is pretty spartan unless you totally go to town on a buildout. I've seen some really nice ones. Mine is pretty basic, just an L shaped cabinet for fridge, storage and electronics with room for some gear and MTB. If I want to hang out inside I just set up my camp chair in there. Definitely nicer than hanging out in the drivers seat when its windy or raining.

[Mudfoot]

Red Mt, Rossland, BC. $25 CAD (which is about $17.50 US) a night. No ammenities but very close to lodge for bathrooms, water and good WIFI. No reservation required, but you need a passport to cross the border.

[garyfromterrace]

Red Mt, Rossland, BC. $25 CAD (which is about $17.50 US) a night. No ammenities but very close to lodge for bathrooms, water and good WIFI. No reservation required, but you need a passport to cross the border.

Thanks mudfoot!

[Name Redacted]

Didn't sleep there, but headed up early to get a beach spot yesterday then took a nap and skied all day. Fun stuff.

[NBABUCKS1]

saw this south of jackson and near ogden yesterday.

Anyone here? Sick art.

[byates1]

Getting my oil done at bzn ford now, I'm friends w my salesman.

He's got a 17 duelly extended sprinter crew van w 30k mi w a diesel heater for 55k$.

Not a bad deal really..

[Foggy_Goggles]

are the rear wheels gonna sword fight each other...dually [/dick]

[garyfromterrace]

My solemn promise this is the last time I pose these questions and, sorry to bug ya! But...
Re camping at your ski hill:

- how much do you pay per night (if anything)?

- what do you get for your money? What amenities/benefits (other than camping at the ski hill)?

- how is it regulated (do you tell the main office you're camping, is there a camping attendant who monitors camping and collects money?

- is there many folks at your hill that take advantage of the opportunity to overnight?

- anything on your wish list with regards to your ski hill overnight parking sitch?

edit to add, you don't need name the ski hill but feel free. Thanks!

[SchralphMacchio]

I think some obvious things that go into the diversity of responses on these questions … is there also on mountain lodging, proximity of the resort to gateway towns, proximity to major population centers, is there a decently sized parking lot to service both day usage and overnight demand, how bad can the weather really be, is the resort part of a pass alliance or conglomerate pass, is the resort a destination resort, how does the resort compare to others in total terrain acreage.

Here in the PNW we have relatively close proximity to major metro areas (less than 4 hours for every ski area) but almost no on mountain lodging, in many cases little in the way of nearby gateway towns/capacity, a decent amount of pass alliances, it can dump like mad but it rarely gets into single digits F overnight … it’s just gotten extremely popular and hard for our local hill to manage the demand, and it seems the same way with some of the other resorts in the northwest that allow RV camping.

[Name Redacted]

I'll follow the format, we were at Targhee and I posted about it but here it is in the proper format for you:

My solemn promise this is the last time I pose these questions and, sorry to bug ya! But...
Re camping at your ski hill:

- how much do you pay per night (if anything)? $38 for camping + $55 if you want pool/hot tub shower. access. Up to 5 people- so theoretically a few campers could probably access pool/hot tub/shower area. Didn't see much real regulation up there.

- what do you get for your money? What amenities/benefits (other than camping at the ski hill)? Pool/hot tub/shower bathrooms open 7a-7p.

- how is it regulated (do you tell the main office you're camping, is there a camping attendant who monitors camping and collects money? Didn't seem to be much. You do buy a pass to hang in your windhshield, but our camper was parked overnight, covered in ice and snow, in the wrong area, 100 ft from the lift, front row, and nobody did shit.

- is there many folks at your hill that take advantage of the opportunity to overnight? We saw maybe ten campers in the camping area on Thursday

- anything on your wish list with regards to your ski hill overnight parking sitch? Shore power would be cool but not necessary. 24/7 bathrooms would be nice but whatever.

edit to add, you don't need name the ski hill but feel free. Thanks!


RE my home hill:
No camping in the lot, you can get creative in the general vicinity though. Local Campsites are mostly closed in the winter, but I bet they could be open with a little plowing.

[Whiteroom_Guardian]

One way to do it I suppose.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...1533922276618/

[SKIP IN7RO]

One way to do it I suppose.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...1533922276618/

Even comes with the mattress that Chad has been raw-dogging Montana on, what a deal!