TOTM December 2019 - Cold Weather Preps

Discussion in 'Survival Topic of the Month' started by Dunerunner, Dec 1, 2019.


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  1. Dunerunner

    Dunerunner Brewery Monkey Moderator

    It is starting to get cold in the PNW and the Mid-West is currently getting some of Mother Nature's Winter Love. Temps here have been relatively mild, dipping into the 20's, but Winter along the coast is generally mild compared to that in the valley to the East.

    I have a stock of heating supplies, pellets for the stove, fresh gas for the generator, some extra food preps, 100 gallons of stored potable water, 3 cases of bottled water, and the usual other emergency food preps in the pantry. Blankets, sleeping bags, and warmer cloths are ready should a prolonged power outage occur. Chain saw is all tuned up with fresh fuel mix at the ready, and both vehicles freshly serviced and full gas tanks. Snow tires are on the 4X4, so it is ready, just in case.

    I know we have members in harsher winter climates than mine, so for this TOTM; lets talk about what needs attention, preps, and any winter tricks you folks have implemented.
     
  2. Tempstar

    Tempstar Monkey+++

    Rarely gets cold enough here for long enough to be a major threat unless we get an ice storm, which totally stops the world. I keep 60 gallons of propane on hand for the very cold nights just to supplement the heat pump and save a few dollars. The generator has 20 gallons of gasoline, the other generator has 110 gallons of diesel, and there is always 29 gallons of gasoline in the Bronco. Folks around here just go to the local schools and wait it out when it gets bitter cold.
    I learned my lesson in North Carolina when My girlfriend, myself, and a yellow lab shared a tent set up in the living room for 4 nights during an ice storm. Dogs put off a lot of heat, skinny girls don't, just an FYI.
     
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  3. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Um, was that a two dog night, or just one? ;) (You just HAD to know that was coming.)
    Around here, we double check all weather stripping for damage and deterioration, spend a couple extra seconds to see that the doors and windows are all tight. Fuel up and test run the gennie, change the oil and grease the snow blower, fuel it up and stand by, as we are right now waiting on Momma N to assault us with the first significant snow of the year (forecast is for a mere 8 inches here, more to the north.) Propane delivery was day before yesterday, pickup was fueled up yesterday. I think I'm as ready as I'm going to get.

    Believe it or not, we LIKE a few inches of snow on the roof, it is a pretty good insulator plus wind won't carry away heat by convection if it can't hit the shingles.
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2019
  4. Airtime

    Airtime Monkey+++

    A few winter preps here:
    -Couple jerry cans full of diesel for tractor
    -Anti-gel added to tractor fuel
    -Tractor oil checked and new fuel filter
    -Blade installed on tractor to clear snow
    -Tractor moved to shop to keep it warmer so it starts easier
    -truck stocked for winter: tire chains, snatch strap, clevis, short and long chains, jumper cables, extra winter clothes and GH bag.
    -Wood cut, stacked, seasoned
    -Polaris ranger gased up and oil checked
    -9 20 pound and 16 1 pound propane tanks full for the portable Buddy heaters.
    -Gas and diesel for small and big gensets
    -Salt ready for side walks.
    -Snow shovel parked on porch

    Probably more to remember.
    AT
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2019
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  5. Merkun

    Merkun furious dreamer

    Similar here. Tethered to the door handle. The least breeze will put it in a drift somewhere downwind.
     
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  6. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    Redundancy. Had the furnace go out a week ago Friday. We kept the house warm using the fireplace while I troubleshot over the weekend. While the furnace was out I realized no redundancy and my fireplace relies on both gas and electricity. The next house will have a wood fireplace.

    Winter kits are in the vehicles along with extra food and water (I change those out seasonally so they stay fresh). Salt and shovel are near the entry. Studded tires go on next weekend.
     
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  7. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    LMAOROF!

    Apparently you've never slept with a post-menopausal woman...
     
    Last edited: Dec 1, 2019
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  8. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Autumn trip to the BOL...for deer and elk hunting purposes

    Travel Trailer - 2 - 100 lb tanks propane, 8 - 20 lb tanks propane. Propane can also be used to fuel alternate dual/fuel genset

    5 - 20L Jerry Cans fresh gasoline for the gasoline only portable genset

    Electric space heater that can be powered from genset (s) to supplement or to work instead of the propane heater installed in the Travel Trailer

    Solar panel setup for electric power, which can also charge batteries and power the Travel Trailer via Genset (s) during extended periods of cloudiness / storms ( Yeah, I've already used the generator backup with that Bomb Cyclone that passed through here late last week and dumped a bunch of rain, snow, hail for three days along with the 55 mph gusts).

    Gone are the days of freezing my ass off in a tent with a pile of wet clothes.
     
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  9. Seawolf1090

    Seawolf1090 Retired Curmudgeonly IT Monkey Founding Member

    Propane tank is full. Broke out the sweaters. So far a couple portable electric heaters suffice.
    Gotta love Florida. Gonna hit the thirties Monday through Wednesday nights.
     
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  10. Ura-Ki

    Ura-Ki Grampa Monkey

    Couple handles of Makers Mark, I'm good! ROTFLMAO!
    Fuel storage tanks are full and mixed, plane is stashed away in the heated hanger, all diesel equipment is stored with batteries on maintainers, fuel and block heaters are on for those that are expected to get used, and the house temps are set to 65 deg and all three gennies are up to date on service and have been exercised! Wood stores are full, and foods are stored, marked, rotated, and ready!
     
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  11. DKR

    DKR Raconteur of the first stripe

    It not just winter - here is something to think about



    Ben is not alone in this
     
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