Community Forums

Damion · 10-30-2017, 06:04 PM

2 Question for you you experienced RV'ers?

1: How cold of weather can I operate in while stationary
before having freezing problems?
2: How cold of weather can I drive down the freeway
before having freezing problems?
2003 National Tradewinds LTC 7374
Thermopane windows and insulated under belly.

May try leaving Northern Wisconsin in the middle of winter and
don't want to get educated the hard way!
Thanks:

Coloradodude · 11-02-2017, 07:12 AM

I have dry camped in mine at 10 degrees. no problem.. but left generator
running all night with electrical heaters . Leave basement lights on to help create heat. Buy the camco insulated inserts for your roof vents.

When we have left Colorado in the winter, we go without water until we hit St George Utah. We have traveled no problem down the road with furnance going.
Not sure if you want to do that. Also run generator and small electrical heaters while going down the road if needed

I find the key is to watch the weather, catch a good week and shoot the gap. Get down south as fast as you can.

Motorhome magazine had a good article a while back about a couple that lives in their Motorhome in Breakinridge all winter. It gets 20-30 below here in Colorado. But they skirt their motorhome and have heated waterlines, heat tape etc.

Figaredo · 11-14-2017, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coloradodude

I have dry camped in mine at 10 degrees. no problem.. but left generator
running all night with electrical heaters . Leave basement lights on to help create heat. Buy the camco insulated inserts for your roof vents.

When we have left Colorado in the winter, we go without water until we hit St George Utah. We have traveled no problem down the road with furnance going.
Not sure if you want to do that. Also run generator and small electrical heaters while going down the road if needed

I find the key is to watch the weather, catch a good week and shoot the gap. Get down south as fast as you can.

Motorhome magazine had a good article a while back about a couple that lives in their Motorhome in Breakinridge all winter. It gets 20-30 below here in Colorado. But they skirt their motorhome and have heated waterlines, heat tape etc.

Great info! Thanks!

rjsupersonic · 11-15-2017, 09:50 AM

We were in Nevada for several weeks a few years ago, it got down to 7 degrees for a few days we were parked, the only thing I used was a 250 watt personal heater in the water bay, it kept the bay at above 35 degrees and the water tank and pump worked fine.

bigjim1959 · 11-15-2017, 11:56 AM

Two years in a row it has hit -35 here on our departure day, usually mid-February (Canadian border East of Lake Ontario), our first night needs are no white crap on the ground before stopping, usually 500 miles first day. We don't start with wet tanks except a couple gallons of no tox in the black water tank. Flush with jugs till we get to warm safety. We run a remote temp sensor in the tank bay and will fill when it has been above 35 for a day.

WenWes · 11-15-2017, 12:14 PM

Looking for a cover for 31 foot motorhome I am handicapped and unable to climb on top

Damion · 11-15-2017, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigjim1959

Two years in a row it has hit -35 here on our departure day, usually mid-February (Canadian border East of Lake Ontario), our first night needs are no white crap on the ground before stopping, usually 500 miles first day. We don't start with wet tanks except a couple gallons of no tox in the black water tank. Flush with jugs till we get to warm safety. We run a remote temp sensor in the tank bay and will fill when it has been above 35 for a day.

Thanks Good Info!

Coloradodude · 11-16-2017, 06:45 AM

In the winter we have done trips with water in the tanks and without, while heading south. If I have water, I also carry 3-4 gallons of rv antifreeze. If I would breakdown, I can winterize mine in less than an hour.

One time we were heading back north in snowstorm and needed the extra weight (500 lbs of water) to help with traction. Surpisingly these motorhome can go pretty good in 4-6 inches of snow.

Can't wait till retired so don't have to ever do that again.

hohenwald48 · 11-16-2017, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coloradodude

Surpisingly these motorhome can go pretty good in 4-6 inches of snow.

Your motorhome might go pretty good in 4-6 inches of snow. Mine can't go at all in any snow.

wa8yxm · 11-17-2017, 07:50 AM

How cold depends on you and your RV

I have a class A. enclosed tanks in a furnace heated bay Factory says 20 degrees

I added some heat to the bays. a 100 watt Rough Service lamp in a cage in the valve bay and a string of C-9 Incandescent lamps (Outdoor Chiristmas Lamps, the old big style) under the wet bay. Estimated 270 watts, all controlled with a Thermostatic switch (Plug in pre-set freeze preventer T-Stat) I can go down to around 10 safely if using the Furnace and the lights.. JUST the lights I hit 11 once with only one line that froze.. I'm guessing it froze mid run (since both ends were heated) and PEX does not mind that.. Just could not flush the toilets in the hormal manner (cold line, crossover from pump side to toilet side) had to use a container of HOT water to flush.

Been down to -6 but suffered 10 bucks worth of damage (Froze solid)

Been in the 20-30 range many nights No problem (just the lights. I do not like spending money on propane for the furnace).

Best option however is to Winterize.. I like the "S" method

I'm sitting in "S"outh Cover Park, Oconee County Parks and Recreation, Seneca, "S". Carolina (Get it the "S" method).

OH this is where i was the 11 degree night too.. Same Park, different (I think) Site. As for the Flusher.. I'm only about 30 yards from teh park's flusher... THe park had SERIOUS plumbing issues the next day.. In fact they had to bulldoze the park office and build a new one the issues were that bad.