Community Forums

scottandanna · 10-24-2015, 10:11 AM

I keep it plugged in to shore power all the time, and A/C running to keep it cool (85-ish) and dry during summer.

If I run the furnace all winter, keeping it maybe 60 or 65 inside, how cold would it need to get outside before I need to winterize?

I have 1/4 to 1/2 tank fresh water on board. Gray and black tanks empty, or close to it.

Kept under a hay shed.

We get to freezing rarely, maybe 3-5 times per winter, and usually just for a couple hours in the middle of the night.

More rarely, we get a couple days into the mid-upper 20s.

J Birder · 10-24-2015, 10:20 AM

You certainly shouldn't have a problem with the tank freezing. The inside water lines and plumbing fixtures probably also won't be a problem.m The one questionable area is any exposed lines under the rig. The things that are most exposed are the fresh water tank drain valve and the low point drains.

Joel

rgvtexan · 10-24-2015, 10:54 AM

Don't forget the water line to the Ice Maker

scottandanna · 10-24-2015, 11:31 AM

Dont have ice maker so that is one less thing to worry about. Nothing exposed on bottom except drain for fresh water.

Should i wrap that?

beamisl · 10-24-2015, 12:56 PM

Don't forget your outside shower if you have one. Maybe heat tape on that. Could pour RV antifreeze in your drains just to be sure.

jfran304 · 10-24-2015, 01:14 PM

ScottandDanna,

You live further south than we do and all I do to winterize our coach is drain the fresh water tank and leave the faucets and drains open so they can't build up pressure if it gets too cold.

I do keep an eye on the weather and if the temps are going to get below freezing I turn the rear heater on to 55 degrees since it also feeds heat into the wet bay of our coach.

The black and gray tanks are emptied before I park it in storage.

Doing it this way I haven't had any problems in 13 years and our coach is stored outside on a concrete driveway.

Jon

cmalberto · 10-24-2015, 01:35 PM

as jfran304 mentioned - drain fresh water tanks, open low points to bleed lines. I like the idea about opening the faucets. Black and Gray should be empty. I can no longer drain my hot water heater - would if I could. I too turn on the heater (around 50) when it threatens to stay below freezing a period of time.

I live about 80 miles to the east and have the same weather patterns.

SkiSmuggs · 10-24-2015, 01:38 PM

The most important thing for you now is to make sure the roof doesn't leak!

Jim_HiTek · 10-24-2015, 01:57 PM

If you're going to be at 20°F for several nights in a row, maybe think about putting a 100 Watt light bulb inside the water compartment where the pump and tank is. If it's going to be that cold during the day, move it out into the sunshine with the wet bays facing south so they can heat up during the day. Turn off the pump and open all the facets.

Where you are, I'd move the RV into the sunshine, set the furnace at 45°F, fill the water tank to 3/4 full or so (water has a huge amount of thermal energy, takes quite a bit of cold to freeze a big tank), and I think you are asking because you like to be ready to travel at a moment's notice (if not, drain the fresh tank). Drain the black and gray tanks, then fill the P traps with the pink stuff.

I remember your last winter. You guys did get some cold nights there. Comparatively. I've spent winters in Fairbanks, Alaska spending weeks at 20°F. Not a big worry.

scottandanna · 10-24-2015, 02:31 PM

Thanks for all the feedback!

Just what i needed to know.

mel s · 10-24-2015, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmalberto

as jfran304 mentioned - drain fresh water tanks, open low points to bleed lines. I like the idea about opening the faucets. Black and Gray should be empty. I can no longer drain my hot water heater - would if I could. I too turn on the heater (around 50) when it threatens to stay below freezing a period of time.
I live about 80 miles to the east and have the same weather patterns.

cmalberto
Why can you no longer drain your water heater?

scottandanna · 10-24-2015, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmalberto

as jfran304 mentioned - drain fresh water tanks, open low points to bleed lines. I like the idea about opening the faucets. Black and Gray should be empty. I can no longer drain my hot water heater - would if I could. I too turn on the heater (around 50) when it threatens to stay below freezing a period of time.

I live about 80 miles to the east and have the same weather patterns.

I am actually in Dayton, so you are only about 20 miles east of me, neighbor!

cmalberto · 10-25-2015, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel s

cmalberto
Why can you no longer drain your water heater?

I had an all gas rig - bought a HotRod electric heater for it - works great but the side effect is that you no longer have a PLUG to remove as that is where the heating element goes in. :(

Hope that helps.