Community Forums

Minnesota51 · 03-26-2015, 12:13 PM

Just bought a 27' Class A. In another week or two we plan to head south from Minneapolis to the Gulf and points unknown.

This time of year here in Minneapolis the nights are sometimes below 32 degree for a few hours on some days.

If I did half fill the tank and we did have a few hours of cold, would that damage anything?

Doggy Daddy · 03-26-2015, 12:43 PM

Add a quart or two of cheap antifreeze - Vodka.

Knightab · 03-26-2015, 12:52 PM

I dont see a couple of hours doing any damage to the tank but any water in the lines would be succeptible to freezing.

keymastr · 03-26-2015, 01:21 PM

A low of 28 for a few hours with highs during the day of 40 will not hurt anything but if the highs struggle to get above 35 then it is too soon unless you are keeping the trailer warm.

Gordon Dewald · 03-26-2015, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keymastr

A low of 28 for a few hours with highs during the day of 40 will not hurt anything but if the highs struggle to get above 35 then it is too soon unless you are keeping the trailer warm.

Agree. If you have any doubts a small electric heater in the bay and in the coach body set on low will keep things from freezing hard enough to break anything. Turn the pump off to allow for expansion, open the cupboard doors in front of water lines to allow warmth to keep the lines at or above freezing.

denlock · 03-26-2015, 02:52 PM

Why couldn't you wait until you get a little further south to un-winterized? Assuming you would be spending a night or two in a campground. Otherwise, as long as it didn't stay below freezing during the day, you should be OK like mentioned above.

Ray,IN · 03-26-2015, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minnesota51

Just bought a 27' Class A. In another week or two we plan to head south from Minneapolis to the Gulf and points unknown.

This time of year here in Minneapolis the nights are sometimes below 32 degree for a few hours on some days.

If I did half fill the tank and we did have a few hours of cold, would that damage anything?

As long as lows stay above 27, highs reach 50, residual heat from the day will keep things from freezing overnight.

SpaceNorman · 03-26-2015, 03:09 PM

Timely question ... we go to pick up our new (to us!) coach tomorrow and are wondering about the very thing. We're so close to not having to worry about it that we'd like to have the dealer de-winterize when we're there in part because we'd like to better understand how to do it and in part because even though they've guaranteed that any "latent" issues will be address - we'd like to save ourselves the headache of having to return for service to address them!

Our weather pattern is pretty close to the "acceptable" range most of described in this post now ... and should only get better at this point. I'm thinking I'm going to have them de-winterize it - and in the event of a cold snap, fire up the aquahot and overnight in it on the nearby storage lot if I must.

slowmachine · 03-26-2015, 03:17 PM

I use accuweather.com to determine when the average low temperature goes above freezing. For my location, it is around the 15th of April. After that, I never worry about it.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/alt...monyr=4/1/2015

Try it for your storage location.

Bilgerat · 03-26-2015, 03:18 PM

Looked up your ten day forecast, looks good for you starting this Saturday. You should just check weather for your planned departure date and work with the weather. Good Luck & Enjoy The Southern Weather...

Stay clear of Maryland, the knuckle heads are calling for snow...

Geez...

nothermark · 03-26-2015, 03:20 PM

For most units you can fill and run as long as you keep the unit heated. Once you stop heating the unit a prolonged period below freezing can easily create problems. In essence if you are heading south fill it before you leave. If you are heading north winterize when you get there or keep the heat on. Winterizing is probably cheaper and easier. ;-)

The only place I worry about is our outside shower is under a plastic panel not in a bay. I stick a sheet of styrofoam cut to fit under the door and leave the sink door open to heat the back side of the knock out.

MikeandClaudia · 03-26-2015, 08:12 PM

The first thing to determine is: Are your water/grey water tanks/Black water tanks in an enclosed compartment?

If they are, then earlier in the day put a small electric heater in the compartment, allowing enough time for it to warm up the water to an extend. We have used this method down to single digit weather without a problem.

One other thing to look at, is on our Dutch Star, the hot water heater is outside of the water compartment and has plastic lines going into the HWHeater area. You need a small heater or light bulb to keep these lines warmish also.

Small electric heater =

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Lasko-Elec...r-100/16503222

Medico · 03-27-2015, 04:31 AM

Many Class A coaches have heated wet compartments. I am not sure about your small Class A, but check on your specs. If it does have heated wet compartments, as long as your coach heat is on the compartments will not freeze. My wet compartment heat kicks in if the compartments drop to 35 degrees, assuming I have the coach heat on as well.

As others have said, 2 or 3 hours below freezing will generally not cause any problems, especially if daytime temps. are 40 or above.