Community Forums

pete davis · 12-03-2013, 12:09 PM

I am not sure where to ask this dumb ?. I am new to this rv thing and I am from Southern Florida and not use to the freezing weather. My ? is it's going down to freeze soon should I empty all of the water from my tanks

pete davis · 12-03-2013, 12:16 PM

I guess I should clarify. I am in TX staying with family and do not have a way of being plugged in.

Kro1957 · 12-03-2013, 12:32 PM

There are a lot of variables.
Do you have heated holding tanks?
Are you running the furnace to keep tanks and inside from freezing?
Will you have adequate 12v supply for blowers?
How cold is it projected to be there and for how long?

If it is only going to be below freezing for a few hours and you have adequte heating for the holding tanks and inside and power supply for rv furnace blowers then you should be fine.

If in doubt with any of the above drain tanks, hot water tank, open up faucets and low water drain ports. Go through winterization process if you can to be safe.
You want to make sure water is also out of the water line for ice maker, washer, pump, and any other lines that hold water. I would do everything I could to maintain temps above freezing inside at the minimum.

mel s · 12-03-2013, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete davis

I guess I should clarify. I am in TX staying with family and do not have a way of being plugged in.

pete davis
A few nights of temps below 32 F will cause no damage, (especially if you run the propane furnace).
We have dry camped in temps of 15 to 20 degrees F....for as long as 2-3 days, AND nights, with no problems.
Mel
'96 Safari

pete davis · 12-03-2013, 02:29 PM

Thanks for the info. I have a 20 pound propane tank will that last all night if I had to.

Kuzzy · 12-03-2013, 02:41 PM

Propane is good as long as you have enough power to run your furnace over night. If you have to run your generator you could also use one or two 1500 watt space heaters.

pete davis · 12-03-2013, 03:20 PM

Can I run the hot water heater off of the inverter and run the furnace off of propane. Or no

djbmsu · 12-03-2013, 05:06 PM

You will need the generator running for your electric water heater to function. Not sure what coach you have or the number of batteries or the size of your inverter to know how long your propane furnace would run without recharging by generator or plugging to shore power

spritz · 12-03-2013, 07:00 PM

Up here in the North Country it get's really cold.This week starting tonight -6 to minus 10 below zero @ night low teens during the days and its just the first of December.

Also suppose snow maybe 3 inches tonight. My MH is full of the Pink stuff. Blew it and filled her. Filled the Fuel tanks Yesterday & Propane (it only took 11 gals) I can tell you that I went almost a month on one propane tank using the furnace set up too 65 - 70 I was on SP though. I mostly used a 1500 watt electric heater. I have been getting her ready for our first L O N G Trip Southwest

So usually started around the noon-hour until 7-8 @ night. Pretty Toastie too.

I have been told that the inside of the garage usually stays around 10 degrees warmer than the outside temp. Wouldn't that pertain to the inside your MH if its true

I would use some pink why risk broken pipes?

judymusic · 12-03-2013, 07:17 PM

We are new to full time rving and in Colorado expecting frigid weather this week below 0. my ? is can I or do I need to add antifreeze to the regular chemical I am using to break down solids in my black water holding tank . can the two be mixed? our water line is heat taped and wrapped with insulation and we will probably leave the water running overnight to keep it moving through our grey water tank. but do not know what else, if anything we should do about the black water holding tank

spritz · 12-03-2013, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by judymusic

We are new to full time rving and in Colorado expecting frigid weather this week below 0. my ? is can I or do I need to add antifreeze to the regular chemical I am using to break down solids in my black water holding tank . can the two be mixed? our water line is heat taped and wrapped with insulation and we will probably leave the water running overnight to keep it moving through our grey water tank. but do not know what else, if anything we should do about the black water holding tank

Boy that is a ? that I can't answer. can you dump the Blk tank? then put in the pink stuff?

Kuzzy · 12-04-2013, 12:25 AM

I don't know if it is recommended but as far as the grey and black tanks and sink and shower traps, I poured a couple of jugs of windshield washer antifreeze down the drains. I read about it somewhere on this site and it sounded like a good idea.
Dave

"007" · 12-04-2013, 02:46 AM

Welcome all to irv2.
You do not need 30amp or 50 amp service to keep your coach funtional a extension cord with adapters down to a 110 power cord to outlet in house will do that.
Here are some threads that will relate to your situation.

Judy you need your furnace working and hopefully you have a full tank of LP gas.

mel s · 12-04-2013, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pete davis

Can I run the hot water heater off of the inverter and run the furnace off of propane. Or no

pete davis
IMO, no!
In cold temps without shore power use propane for the refrigerator and the water heater, (as well as for furnace heat).

It is to much to expect your batteries to provide large draws through the inverter.
If you discharge your batteries far enough nothing will work!
Mel
'96 Safari