Winterization Where it Doesn't Get Really Cold?

[barmcd]

We used to live in San Antonio and I didn't winterize our fifth wheel because it rarely got below 32 degrees and when it did it was usually only a little below freezing for just a few hours before daylight. All I did was drain the hot water heater and open all the sink faucets and shower.

Now, we live about 150 miles north and it does freeze occasionally, but hard freezes are few and far between. We use our motor home year round and I don't want to use put antifreeze in it and take it out four times during the winter. It's plugged in year round so I can put a small heater in it to keep it warm on those nights when it gets really cold.

Here's the question, do you think I can get away with just draining the hot water heater and opening the faucets if I have a heater running inside?

[JohnBoyToo]

I an in the DFW area and am able to leave the rv plugged in enough to charge the batteries...

for the few times we have had a freeze, I just left the furnace on the lowest setting and the last few years, I've been fine.... BUT YRMV

[DRL1950]

I live in upstate NY where we have lots of very cold weather, and I typically head to Florida around mid December so like you I don't want to put the antifreeze in but have to be concerned about the temp. I have a temp gauge in the basement and keep it plugged in with the furnace and the floor heat on, as well as a portable heater in the basement. So for example this morning it was about 26 outside but my basement and water compartment held at 50. As a last resort I also have access to heated indoor storage but it is really convenient having it at home as we prepare to head south. I watch the long term forecasts and if I saw a prolonged cold snap coming I probably would feel safe outside but that is just me, in closing my advice is worth exactly what you paid for it, nothing!😄

[Cranemec]

I'm in Atlanta and I don't winterize with the pink crap In our old coach, I would open the low point drains, drain the water heater and blow out the water lines with low pressure air. It was always plugged into 50 amp and I kept a couple space heaters in it with tip over protection.
Our new coach is all electric so I will keep the heat on a reasonable level, run the electric floor heat, turn the Aqua hot on and place a couple of small heaters in the basement if needed.

[sbleiweiss]

We have camped in Sedona over winter when the night time temps reached as low as 18 (above freezing during the day). We were fine with a heated water hose (or just disconnect overnight), the furnace running and a small space heater in the water basement.

[oldguy70]

I ski all winter so I never winterize my motorhome. If I am home I have a heater inside
turned low and another one in the wet bay turned low and if it get really cold I keep the hot water heater on. I have done a lot of work to add insulation to my rig and putting bubble rap on the windshield really helps.

[Mr_D]

Up here in the Pacific NorthWet we get a week or so of below freezing temps each year. I just keep heat in the rig and have not bothered to drain anything for years now and have never had any damage. I put a 100 watt light bulb in the wet bay, a couple small heaters inside and a small fan or two directed into the open sink cabinets. Didn't even put antifreeze in the traps or toilets.

[96 Wideglide]

Without an Aquahot, I would just blow it out.

[MTK46]

Lived in the desert sense I got out of the service in 69. Been RVing for 30+ years & winterizing is a subject I know nothing about. Oh & don't want to learn.

[Robin_M]

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Without an Aquahot, I would just blow it out.

I agree. That's what I've done for the past 10 winters in Pennsylvania. I only ever put the pink stuff down the drains to protect the traps and the toilet macerating pump.

In warmer climates turning on some heat works, but I'm a worrier. I'd always be concerned that the power would fail on the night I needed it the most.

[Vanwill]

Dennis, I use several of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovato...-in+thermostat

Farm Innovators Model TC-3
I plug porcelain overhead light fixtures (commonly called "keyless" fixtures) mounted on small wooden bases with common light bulbs in them, and the 35 - 45 thermostats shown above turn them on and off. I use dual-bulb adapters in the porcelain sockets, so that if one bulb burns out, there is still one heating. I put them wherever I want to protect from freezing.

Kinda simple and redneck, but I had all the stuff in my workshop. I live in southeastern NC, and winters are not severe, but we always have several weeks each winter when temps are in the low 20's overnight. This has worked for many years. I never use the anti-freeze.

[barmcd]

Van, that is definitely a low tech solution and something I'll explore, but I thought they quit selling incandescent bulbs some time back.

[JohnBoyToo]

Yes, I miss my old 200 watt bulb that we used to use on construction sites to heat our frozen lunches !!!!