Why I Bought It: Seth & Meghan Fawley Full-Timing in a Coachmen Mirada 350S
A decade ago, four-season RV travel was almost a foreign concept. Older RVs lacked proper insulation. Frozen holding tanks were a disaster waiting to happen. Today, many RVs are equipped for cold temps, and according to the RV Industry Association, more than 8.2 million people went camping in motorhomes or travel trailers last winter. Among them: Seth and Meghan Fawley, who travel full-time in their 2023 Coachmen Mirada 35OS.
“We really like to get out and hike during the winter,” Seth says. “We’ve spent considerable time in Colorado, hiking to the alpine lakes and high mountain peaks in the snow. We also really like curling up inside a warm RV to watch a movie on a snowy night.”
Photo Credit: Seth and Meghan Fawley
The latest edition of the Class A Mirada comes with a number of winter-ready features: A 30k BTU furnace, an electric fireplace, and a 5.5K auto-starting generator to keep everything running even during power outages. “One overlooked feature is that the propane heat duct sits on top of the holding tanks and runs the length of the floor,” Seth tells us. “We don’t have too many worries about tanks freezing overnight.”
En route to one of their favorite camping destinations in Washington state, the couple spent two nights in Idaho, where the temperature dropped to -16ºF. Even so, Seth, Meghan and their pet cats stayed toasty warm inside. They haven’t decided where they’ll be this winter. Both have family in western Virginia. But Colorado’s mountains are always calling. This duo definitely seeks the far corners of experience: On their YouTube channel, Uncover Exploration, Seth and Meghan use underwater drones, thermal imaging and other technology to investigate local legends, cryptids and other mysteries as they travel the country.
The Coachmen Mirada starts at $124,995. Visit coachmenrv.com.
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Three Winter Camping Alternatives
Photo Credit: Jayco
Jayco Eagle
Boasting Jayco’s patented Climate Shield protection, this fifth-wheel is rated for use in temperatures down to 0º F. The trailer comes with a fully enclosed and heated underbelly, a 35K BTU furnace and double-sided radiant barrier insulation. MSRP starts at $77,735. jayco.com
Photo Credit: Winnebago
Winnebago Revel
Rugged and off-road ready, this camper van uses 3M Thinsulate insulation to keep the cabin well-protected from the elements. A multi-zone hydronic heating system comes standard, as does an independent loop sensor designed to keep the Revel’s freshwater tank from freezing in cold weather. MSRP starts at $254,076. winnebago.com
Photo Credit: Northern Lite
Northern Lite Limited Edition
Setting the standard for four-season truck campers, the Northern Lite Limited Edition makes a cozy basecamp for skiing, ice fishing and cold-weather hiking. Using two-piece fiberglass construction, the LE stays warm in a broad range of conditions but includes a 20K BTU furnace to keep the chill at bay. MSRP starts at $68,750. northern-lite.com.
This article originally appeared in Wildsam magazine. For more Wildsam content, sign up for our newsletter.
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