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Daveg48 · 10-17-2013, 07:47 AM

What do you do if you need to travel when the temp is below freezing? Leave anti-freeze in the lines and use no water at night?
This is a 5th wheel trailer I am pulling.

336muffin · 10-17-2013, 08:05 AM

One thing to address is the line going to the icemaker, it is exposed to the outside temps and can freeze and crack the solenoid. We don't winterise our MH and have traveled in snow before with no problems. We also keep our water heater hot for the same reasons. This takes some thought and a few dollars of insulation in the right spots.

wingnut60 · 10-17-2013, 08:13 AM

It shouldn't be a problem to run the furnace at the lowest setting (usually 40d) while traveling, assuming the underbelly is enclosed and warmed by the vent runs. If you have an icemaker, there SHOULD be a 12volt heating line alongside the plastic water line--but to be sure, just turn off the supply and disconnect at the solenoid, water will drain out.
To be below freezing is usually not a travel problem unless it is WAY below, or never gets much above. Sunlight is a big help even if ambient is down.
Just how much traveling will you be doing under freezing temps?
Joe

wyorancher · 10-17-2013, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveg48

What do you do if you need to travel when the temp is below freezing? Leave anti-freeze in the lines and use no water at night?

If you travel in and out of freezing type weather and never know from one day to the next if you will be using your RV in the winter the easiest thing to do is blow out your lines instead of using that pink stuff. I can winterize or de-winterize in about 15 minutes. Had it down to 10 minutes in my TT but now we have a W/D so it takes a little longer. Like previous post the icemaker line can freeze therefore blowing out the lines you can just disconnect the line and blow it out with the rest of the RV.

We winterize at 10 degrees F if we have heat in our MH. Same with our previous TT. Then de-winterize when the temp gets warmer during our travels.

Daveg48 · 10-17-2013, 10:09 AM

I was not aware that the furnace blower operated on 12V.
Thanks

wingnut60 · 10-17-2013, 10:17 AM

Yes, it will run just fine. Truck charging line should keep up with the use, assuming the batts are charged up and in good condition before starting out.
Have done this several times thru UT and WY--some of the vents are under the slides, but that hasn't been a problem.
Joe

Ray,IN · 10-18-2013, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyorancher

If you travel in and out of freezing type weather and never know from one day to the next if you will be using your RV in the winter the easiest thing to do is blow out your lines instead of using that pink stuff. I can winterize or de-winterize in about 15 minutes. Had it down to 10 minutes in my TT but now we have a W/D so it takes a little longer. Like previous post the icemaker line can freeze therefore blowing out the lines you can just disconnect the line and blow it out with the rest of the RV.

We winterize at 10 degrees F if we have heat in our MH. Same with our previous TT. Then de-winterize when the temp gets warmer during our travels.

You cannot get the water out of the washer pump using air pressure in the lines.

wyorancher · 10-18-2013, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

You cannot get the water out of the washer pump using air pressure in the lines.

That is correct. That is exactly what slows the process down. You have to dump a couple qts of anti freeze in the washer and run it out to clear pump and to get it in the trap. If on the road at a dump sta that means running generator for power.

hjsdds · 10-19-2013, 12:13 PM

Use the "pink stuff" for things like washing machine and the sink and tub traps. Otherwise blow all the lines with compressed air. Have someone inside to listen and make sure you hear air and not "spurting" water. I put "the pink stuff" in my water system only once, had to go through several fill-ups before the disgusting aftertaste went away, never again, now I use air only.
The seriousness of doing it (before you encounter freezing weather) becomes quite evident once the freezing busts one of your water lines and you have to fix it (or pay someone to fix). The break is usually where it is NOT EASY TO GET TO!

hjs