Community Forums

entirelynutz · 11-11-2014, 05:02 PM

We are planning our first Winter trip from PA to FL this December. I plan to prime my black and grey tanks with anti-freeze. What do folks do to keep the fresh water from freezing? I'm not planning on connecting the ice maker until we reach warmer climes. I'm assuming the pipes will be ok based on the normal furnace. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. We have a Winnebago Sightseer 33C.

seniorgear · 11-11-2014, 05:20 PM

Hi
I make the trip from Michigan to Florida every Feb returning in May. I drain the fresh water tank and add antifreeze, then turn on the water pump. We use bottle water until we get south of Atlanta. Once we arrive I fill and drain the water tank a few times. Because of the full hookups no need to worry about the taste. You are right the furnace will keep the drains from freezing. Hope this helps.

vanbuskirk · 11-11-2014, 05:45 PM

We travel from PA to FL every Feb. We basically carry a couple of gallons of fresh water to use for drinking, brushing of teeth and to use in the commode. We typically leave in the evening and drive to Richmond and Walmart it for the night. Our next stop is the Coastal Georgia RV Resort of which is stones throw off 95. Beautiful small park that allows you to de-winterize and give the coach a quick bath. All of the sites are paved...no sand! I would make a reservation if you are planning on pulling in late....it's has become a very popular overnight stop.

ChasA · 11-11-2014, 06:03 PM

Hello Entirelynutz,
Welcome!
To keep your freshwater tank from freezing, simply empty it. You can use bottled water and go without showers until you get far enough south to fill your freshwater tank. As for your black and gray water tanks, they should also be empty when you start out -- no need for anti freeze. You can use the black and gray and use your bottled water to flush and wash hands. Anything in black/gray tanks may freeze, but should not cause any damage the tanks. From Pennsylvania, you should be in warm enough climes in one day, or 2 at the most.
Judging from the current weather forecast, you should have already winterized your unit.
When are you heading south?

Bondad · 11-11-2014, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seniorgear

Hi
I make the trip from Michigan to Florida every Feb returning in May. I drain the fresh water tank and add antifreeze, then turn on the water pump. We use bottle water until we get south of Atlanta. Once we arrive I fill and drain the water tank a few times. Because of the full hookups no need to worry about the taste. You are right the furnace will keep the drains from freezing. Hope this helps.

If you drain the FW tank there is no need to add antifreeze. Even if the small amount of remaining water freezes, there is plenty of room for the ice to expand without causing any damage.

Elf111 · 11-11-2014, 06:50 PM

We are fulltime and travel in freezing temps frequently if your wet bay is heated fill your freshwater tank turn on the water heater and enjoy the trip. There is enough volume in the fresh water tank along with the bay heat from your furnace it's never been a problem for us, seven years in a fifth wheel two years in class a we have had frozen pipes when temps got down around ten below but not enough to break a pipe I do run a small heater in the wet bay at night when it's that cold. Keep a remote thermometer in the wet bay to monitor temperatures. Your headed south don't worry about waste tanks you'll be in warmer climate before they are full they are also heated enough to prevent freezing. You'll burn some propane but it's worth it to have use of everything.

ChasA · 11-11-2014, 07:29 PM

Great advice from Elf. Your freshwater tank won't freeze until it has been in the 20's for a few days. Still I would only carry a third or two thirds full fresh water.