Recreational Vehicles (RVs) are no longer for recreational living in Big Sky Country and the Bakken. The homes on wheels are no longer just for the lake or camping by the river. What originally was intended to be temporary housing is becoming more permanent homes due to housing shortages since the increase of oilfield activity in the area.
National media coverage recently has many people coming from all over the country to secure a job in the oil industry. Many are warned of the housing shortage and the harsh winters but the hope of employment is stronger than the warnings. They are coming to the area in an RV either owned by them or rented or purchased when they get here.
RV Parks have sprung up on the landscapes and neighborhood corners in all communities from eastern Montana to central North Dakota. Signage advertising for RV lots for rent are plenty. Local property owners are renting a lot on their property, as well as RV Parks, from $500-$1,000 per month.
The snow and cold temperatures recently have those that heed the warnings of harsh winters taking action to winterize their RVs. Local building supply businesses have seen a significant sales increase for “blue board” and plywood.
Blue board is a styrofoam insulation board being used as skirting around the RVs. Adding skirting to the RV is essential to reduce heat loss. Insulating the skirting with rigid insulation helps keep the area under the RV warmer, which will keep the floor warm and the area under the RV from freezing.
Area officials have stressed the increased concern for safety while living in an RV this winter. The area has already had one fatality this season. A 49-year-old woman died in Trenton earlier this month from carbon monoxide poisoning using a generator to power a trailer she was living in with insufficient ventilation during a power outage.
Richland County Fire Department Fire Marshall Robert Gilbert, Jr. stresses the importance of safety when living in an RV during the winter.
“The most important things are fire and carbon monoxide detectors,” said Gilbert, “Carbon monoxide is odorless and invisible and it kills.”
Carbon monoxide is an odorless and invisible gas that can slowly fill a space and cause suffocation.
Gilbert also warns that when skirting trailers make sure to not cover any vents. When using alternative heat sources do not have any combustibles near the heat source and do not use ovens in the trailer as a heat source. When using generators and portable heaters be sure to ensure proper ventilation.
North Dakota State University Extension Service has recommended a publication on preparing an RV for winter living which can be found at http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ageng/structu/ae1510.pdf.
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