Community Forums

GatorDog · 01-26-2009, 01:03 PM

Looking into buying a mountain cabin in either Nantahala NC or Roan Mountain TN. We've narrowed the search to those two places.

Friend talked to me about 'winterizing" the coach when we make the move. I've lived in Florida all my life. Other than draining the pipes and making sure the tanks are empty, what else is going on ??

Thanks

GaryKD · 01-26-2009, 01:21 PM

Hi GatorDog,
After draining the lines and tanks, there may be a bit more work to do.
1. The hot water tank will need to be drained. This is a good time to examine the anode rod, if your tank has one.
2. Put some RV antifreeze into each holding tank. This can keep the tank valve seals submerged.
3. To be on the safe side, consider introducing RV antifreeze into your water lines. Your coach may have a bypass for the hot water heater, so the RV antifreeze will not enter the drained tank.
4. Add some RV antifreeze to your toilet. Cover the seal so it will stay wet during the winter.
5. If you introduce RV antifreeze into the water lines, make sure the sinks and shower drain traps also have RV antifreeze in them.
6. If your fridge has an ice maker, the ice maker line should drained.

Asking you to consider having RV antifreexe put into your water lines is because the water pump and low points in the water lines will continue to have water in them.

**NLOVNIT** · 01-26-2009, 01:35 PM

The major part of "winterizing". to those of us up north, usually means, draining all water lines/tanks, blowing out the lines with compressed air (blowing optional) & putting rv/marine antifreeze (otherwise known as "the pink stuff") through all waterlines. This keeps the lines from splitting during freezing temps by replacing the water that was in there with a solution that won't freeze. Rv/marine antifreeze is different than car antifreeze as it's non-toxic & is pink in color.

It also can mean removing all perishable items (food) kept in our rv's over the season & removing any items that might be damaged by freezing (aerosol spray cans, flashlights/radios or items with small batteries) temperatures. Some remove their coach batteries & put them in their garage or basement (to prevent freezing). Others, like us, keep our coach plugged in during storage & we just make sure our batteries are topped off before storage begins & then check on them throughout the winter months.

Lori-

"007" · 01-26-2009, 06:25 PM

Here is a link WINTERIZING that will give you some added info.
Welcome to irv2, sorry you have to leave the warm climate.

GatorDog · 01-27-2009, 02:24 PM

Thanks everyone. A lot to learn I guess.

Mr. Bond don't feel sorry for me. I've lived in Florida all my life. I retire next year after 30 years as a Police Officer. I want to go to a town with a population of less than 100 not 1,000,000.

"007" · 01-28-2009, 05:01 AM

I get your point I'm small town guy myself its just that up here the big ones overflow into our small town with there troubles.
Good luck with your retirement you earned it.