Human Interest Story on the "5th Wheel" In the Bakken

Link to the Billings Gazette.

Salesman Dustin Bretz knew standard RVs weren't going to cut it when Bakken oilfield workers came calling.

There’s camping rough, Bretz explained, and then there’s Bakken rough, living full time through the winter on the frozen prairie of Montana and North Dakota, where more than a few days of arctic weather are normal.

Oilfield camps are dotted with fifth-wheel recreational trailers shielded with foam-board insulation and whatever else workers can muster to keep water pipes and waste tanks from freezing. “Winter time can run as cold as 30 below zero, and a lot of RVs aren’t made for that,” Bretz said.

So, Tour America started looking for one that was and came up with a Camp Lodge, Work and Play fifth wheel custom built for the Bakken environment. “These go relatively quickly,” Bretz said, directing to conversation to a trailer resembling a super-sized version of what contractors commonly haul their gear in. “It has 2 to 3 inches of spray foam on the lower chasse, heated water lines and holding tanks. They have dual-pane windows, like your house. This is a niche product.”

Cool. Pun intended.

A niche product, yes, indeed. Another industry that benefits from the Bakken. Hoo-ah.

Go to the link for quite an incredible story. The little bit above does not to the whole story justice.