To Winterize or not ????

[Renden]

Plan on leaving end of October for Florida - will travel via Montreal on I-87 My DSDP 2006 is connected on 30 Amps in one of my driveways.

Now I live in New Brunswick (close to Northern Maine) in Canada - there are a few evenings under 32F (0 Celsius) but I figure I have the Coach insulation and compartment insulation and my Furnace which does heat the basement (with the 12 volt fan in surplus) and could keep the Coach at a certain degree (inside since the Heat control is a thermostat) - Your recommendations - if this is OK - at what degree should I set the thermostat and I will keep the 12 V fan on (it will start at same time as furnace) - Propane is not my problem - I have plenty and have access to more very close by -
I do not want the trouble of winterizing for 2 weeks and on the first portion of the trip (in New York state), should I keep the furnace at minimum to have the basement heated ?
The small water tube in the Fridge compartment - will it freeze if Fridge is on all the time ? AC when plugged on shore.....LP when travelling...??
Thanks to you all !!

[ImagineIF]

Renden,

The real question is can you keep the water carrying lines above freezing while travelling? While parked, I'd suggest you keep the basement and interior to 40 degrees F. This should protect any lines that are in the insulated walls. I would also dump the water holding tank, unless it's in the heated basement.

On the road, I'd keep the basement at the same 40F and the interior to your liking. I would still keep the water tank empty until you are far enough south it doesn't matter. Given you're leaving the end of October, check the 3 day forecast for your route. Surely, that will tell you if you can fill before you leave. If the forecasted low is above 25 or so degrees at night and 35 during the day, you should be fine.

Where are you staying in FL? Just curious as we try to determine where to stay.

[Renden]

Thanks ImagineIf

We should be in the Clearwater area at Dunedin's RV Park

[GaryKD]

Hi Renden,
The DSDP fresh water tank is just below the grey and black water holding tanks. The propane furnace should keep all three tanks from having any problems. For the contents in any of the tanks to freeze, the compartment would need to get to below 29 degrees F for 5+ hours. The valves are a different story, but the tanks should be no problem. There should be no water lines in the walls. In 2006, all the Newmar coaches I've seen the water lines come up through the floor and are run inside the coach.

["007"]

When we went to Nappanee last January had coach at 65* with 3/4 tank of fresh water. Drove through snow arrived at Newmar was 1* with snow when park on site had temp at 72* and warm as toast.
Had hot water on and the 12v fan running the whole trip through northern states, down and back to Newmar in Febuary.
Left Tuesday still 1* and headed south to FL. Stayed in Cracker Barrel's heading south two stops dry camped in their lots, over night, coach still 72*, cold traveling.
Only thing I did was disconnect the water line to ice maker and drained out water.
I have shut off valve from filter under sink that goes to fridge water line.
When I got to FL. hooked up water line, wife likes ice.
The water line does have heater wires around it but I thought it would be to cold at Newmar.
You can still drain water line up to ice maker and lift off one of the wires on valve control for water line so no water would be in line to ice maker if you had water in line from sink.
Have a good safe, warm trip.

[kjburns]

If it's only near freezing or a bit below, I wouldn't worry about it at all. If it starts getting much colder, then I would use some heat. If you're keeping the coach warm, then it should be fine well below freezing.

[Renden]

Appreciate your input - Thanks 007 for your opinion on the Fridge water line. We do not use the ice maker or the water outlet in front of the left door of fridge.....I thought about removing it but disconnecting it would be simpler and you did mention some valve that should be disconected (behind the fridge ??).....

["007"]

Its the control relay on top of valve where plastic line connects, need not worry if not using water feeds.

[Renden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007" When we went to Nappanee last January had coach at 65* with 3/4 tank of fresh water. Drove through snow arrived at Newmar was 1* with snow when park on site had temp at 72* and warm as toast. Had hot water on and the 12v fan running the whole trip through northern states, down and back to Newmar in Febuary. Left Tuesday still 1* and headed south to FL. Stayed in Cracker Barrel's heading south two stops dry camped in their lots, over night, coach still 72*, cold traveling. Only thing I did was disconnect the water line to ice maker and drained out water. I have shut off valve from filter under sink that goes to fridge water line. When I got to FL. hooked up water line, wife likes ice. The water line does have heater wires around it but I thought it would be to cold at Newmar. You can still drain water line up to ice maker and lift off one of the wires on valve control for water line so no water would be in line to ice maker if you had water in line from sink. Have a good safe, warm trip.

007, just followed your recommendations today as I was picking up my Rig in Quebec and the Maintenance expert unplugged the water lines to the Fridge (which I do not use), emptied them and disconnected the valve control. He suggested putting some Astrofog around the active water line and putting some Aluminium cover over it to seal the line well - this part of the Rig is not affected by the basement and house furnace heater - just a precaution in case it is cold when I leave Canada end of October - FYI - thanks again

[Renden]

Just had my annual House Thermopump check-up and filter changes (humidifier-air etc.) The Tech put some real thick rubber insulation around the small brown water feed to the fridge - I had already disconnected the 2 lines (to ice maker and water dispenser) and drained them as well as disconnecting the control valve (per 007 recommendations) So I should be good - Am keeping the Rig at 45 F prior to leaving end of October for Florida, from New Brunswick, Canada - we have not had very cold nights, just a few - 1 or 2 C (^30F)

[Goodturn]

We have left Ontario after Christmas with a full water tank and travelled through freezing temperatures to Florida without a problem. We, also, have disconnected our ice maker and drinking water at the rear of the fridge as my wife doesn't trust CG water. You have to love these Newmars with their basement heat and insulation!! We are leaving October 26th this year and wintering in Lakeland. Enjoy your trip.

[Renden]

Goodturn
I plan on visiting Lakeland this Winter......to get some exterior shades for my Coach .....at Classic Coach Works - they carry the MCD shades from Texas - we should get in touch or see you at the Tampa RV Show !!

I travel from New Brunswick to Dunedin area, via 87-287 etc.

[Goodturn]

Renden. We winter at Sanlan RV Park and have visited the folks at Classic Coach. Nice operation and as an aside, they are originally from Canada. We usually go to the Tampa show on the Friday and have returned on the Saturday to see it all. Enjoy!

[PugPug]

I have pulled my 5er many times in 20 degree plus weather. I keep the furnace on to about 40 and use a thermometer with a sending unit to monitor it in the TV.