Community Forums

jimhfurlong · 02-25-2016, 09:59 PM

Hi all, we are picking up our new-to-us 42N this weekend and plan to head out over the next few weekends local camping as a shakedown. I know the unit has heated tanks etc, but can anyone pass on advice on winter camping as far as plumbing issues go on these units? Any help would be appreciated.

Mac99 · 02-26-2016, 08:08 AM

If you are talking about below freezing conditions, I'd recommend
that you not go camping. Wait for warmer weather to learn all
the systems. I do not think that very many motorhomes are designed
for winter usage. Not to mention driving in winter weather.
JMHO

wildirishman · 02-26-2016, 08:39 AM

I use mine occasionally in the winter. Your plumbing will be
fine but plan on using alot of propane for heating. You'll need to winterize it or keep the heat running between trips.

We live just down the road from you in castle rock. Weather is looking nice right now.

Tha_Rooster · 02-26-2016, 04:15 PM

I put mine up in December and get it out in April the coldest I've camped is right at freezing never had a problem staying warm.

jimhfurlong · 02-26-2016, 04:16 PM

Thanks for the reply. We are heading for Chatfield, the unit has heated tanks, so I'm assuming the plumbing is all above the rails, you have likely the same system? I know this coach has the drain valves at the convienence center, so I guess my question is, when we leave Sunday, we will dump the fresh water, hot and cold lines and hot water tank, I'm wondering do you re-antifreeze?

Cat320 · 02-26-2016, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by macandphyl

If you are talking about below freezing conditions, I'd recommend
that you not go camping. Wait for warmer weather to learn all
the systems. I do not think that very many motorhomes are designed
for winter usage. Not to mention driving in winter weather.
JMHO

macandphyl, you don't list your coach in your post, but most Fleetwoods are perfectly capable of camping in the winter. Between two furnaces (or an Aqua Hot), heated basements, a generator to run extra AC powered electric heaters, if needed, you can be perfectly comfortable. We've been on the road in as low as eight degrees...and windy...and did fine. It was a bit chilly hooking up the car but other wise okay.

jimhfurlong · 02-26-2016, 05:04 PM

Thanks cat20, we just plan to camp the next few weekends to get used to the new coach. Aside from draining everything, do you guys re-antifreeze your lines each time?

Cat320 · 02-26-2016, 05:41 PM

No, if you run your furnace, it should heat the basement enough to keep it, and things in it, from freezing. On our trip in eight degrees, the only things that froze were the dump valves. A couple of trouble lights with 60 watt bulbs took care of that problem.

Chiefly1 · 02-26-2016, 06:54 PM

You should be just fine using it without winterizing it. We have been down to 10 degrees without issues. We did leave the basements lights on overnight to help keep things warmer or use a work light as mentioned earlier. Don't connect your water connections though without a heated hose.

Bill & Christine
40 ft Revolution LE Diesel Pusher & Honda Fit Sport
Sent from my iPad using iRV2 - RV Forum

wildirishman · 02-26-2016, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimhfurlong

Thanks for the reply. We are heading for Chatfield, the unit has heated tanks, so I'm assuming the plumbing is all above the rails, you have likely the same system? I know this coach has the drain valves at the convienence center, so I guess my question is, when we leave Sunday, we will dump the fresh water, hot and cold lines and hot water tank, I'm wondering do you re-antifreeze?

You'll be fine at chatfield with hook ups

You will need to get the water out of the lines when you're not using it. There are low point drains on your rv in the water compartment. Open those and open your faucets and that will drain most of the water out. From there you need to either blow it out or run antifreeze through it. I can help you off you'd like.

Congrats. You have a nice rv.

jimhfurlong · 02-27-2016, 07:10 AM

Thanks. We had a Monaco Windsor a few years back, and I had installed a valve and hose at made it easy to re-winterize. Will have a look during delivery to see if Fleetwood added this feature. Thanks for the help!

jimhfurlong · 08-03-2016, 07:47 PM

Just a follow up. We camped over 3 weekends and a full week while we had our house flooring done with no issues. Yep, half a tank of propane, but no freezing. Our manuals indicate we have (or had) an auto antifreeze system, but we've yet to find it...... thanks everyone.

wildirishman · 08-03-2016, 07:53 PM

Good to hear everything went great!

mchero · 08-05-2016, 09:32 PM

We were in -10 weather in Klamath Falls OR. this last new years! Only issue I had was the wet bay has the heater vent on the curb side & the vales & such on the street side. Had to add a heater on the street side to keep the water flowing! Smoke thru the propane if not using electric heaters! LOL

OP,
Add the year of your coach to your signature please.