Driving from Maryland to Orlando Winterized

[Air Conditioned Gypsy]

Hi Reyestm,

We are going to be in MD (at Cherry Hill Park) from 12/28 thru 1/4. It will be cold, but not too cold (current forecast calls for overnight lows in the mid-20's some nights). Typically, while parked, running heat, there is little chance for freezing, even in really low temps. On the day we plan to drive home to GA, the forecast is for an overnight low of 27. But it will be in the mid 40's by the afternoon. So, I expect the temp to be low 30's by the time we pull out, probably in the 8-9 AM timeframe.

We won't be winterized while parked because running the furnaces will prevent freezing, and since we will be driving home during the daytime, I expect that there will no danger of freezing. We will likely be somewhere in NC (heading for GA) when we stop, with temps maybe as high as mid-40's.

If, on the other hand, the forecast on the day of our departure called for daytime temps in the mid-to-low 20's, then we would winterize before departing. And use jugs of water for handwashing, coffee, toilet, etc. There is no furnace that I know of in any coach that can prevent freezing while driving in really cold temps.

SO, bottom line, look at the weather forecast for daytime (driving) temps and decide if you can de-winterize in MD before hitting the road. And same for when you head home - decide if you need to winterize before leaving FL (or at some point along the way) or when you get back to MD.

PS - we have a Tiffin. Tiffin has a bunch of videos on Youtube showing how to do lots of stuff the coaches require - including winterization. That is where I learned how to do it. Probably your manufacturer has info on their website or on youtube with similar instructional videos. As someone else in this thread suggested, winterizing is pretty straightforward, especially if somebody who already knows how shows you how.

Regards.

Chuck

[SlowJoe]

Why not dewinterize before departure? It seems like you will have the heat on and it should not be an issue? It may be a different story in extreme conditions, but in Maryland I don't think anything would be at risk of freezing with the heat on? If you are worried about the water bay, you could put a small heater or light bulb in it to keep a bit of heat going.

[2cyber71]

Originally Posted by Reyestm

Well, we are taking our first long trip to Orlando (staying at Ft Wilderness for a couple of nights) leaving sometime either before or after Xmas - our reservation starts on the 27th, so we have plenty of time to get down. I currently have our new RV winterized and stored. We are trying to plan the date of departure, stopping location, dewinterizing process, and rewinterizing when we return. I called the RV dealership where we bought and they recommended keeping it winterized while we drive down to warmer weather and then finding a location somewhere on our way down and then winterize on our way back up. I want to have usage of all facilities in the RV as soon as we are in warmer weather and then as much as possible on the way back. I have a few questions for you:
- Any advice on that approach - keeping it winterized until we get closer down or at least in warmer weather
- Places and locations that we can just pop into get dewinterized and blow out lines etc.
- Same thing on the return from Orlando - we depart on Jan 4 and looking to get back home on the 6 in MD. Any good spots to winterize on way back.
-Since this is our first trip - I prefer not to have to do winterizing and dewinterizing myself. I plan on saving that until spring.

- Also any good routes you would take to get there and any other great spots to stop?
- Any advice on leaving before or after Xmas - concerned around what is or isn't open.
Thanks all for the help - we are new (completely to RVing) only one weekend out with it since we bought it two weeks ago to practice at a campground. We appreciate any advice or lessons learned you may have to share!

We’re going down on the 27th too. Myrtle Beach, then St. Augustine p, then Hilton Head. Coming back late January.
I will be staying in Virginia the first night, if it’s in the high 20s I’ll just turn my heat on and dewinterized at that CG. (All depends). On the way back. I will winterize my MH myself in Hilton Head right before I leave.
If you did your own winterizing, then just do it again on your last stop before you get to the cold weather. If you didn’t winterize yourself. Pay a MOBILE TECH (RV repair) to come out and teach you. It’s easy, not rocket science.
I have a dishwasher, washer, and fridge ice maker I have to do. The manual is easy to follow. I just copy the winterizing procedure laminated it and put near the appliance. I had my RV repair tech teach me on my new items in this MH, so this year I learned how to winterize a dishwasher.
Piece of cake. Oh, BTW. You better bring your antifreeze with you. The Lowe’s, Walmart and Home Depot in Florida don’t have any.
I’m bringing 15 gallons in the back of my Jeep.
I need 14 1/2 gallons since I have a Aquahot and all those appliances

Good CG
1.KOA Lumberton, NC has big rig pull thrus, no need to unhook
2. New Green Acres in South Carolina has long big rig sites too,
2. RVacation in North Carolina has big pullthrus too
All are right off I 95.
They fill up quick so pick your day and call them
We stayed at them all

If you want a dealer, I would call Camping World or any big dealer. I’m sure they would winterize your MH before you leave.
A mobile tech might be cheaper. They know what to do.
Most areas have them and CG have lists of mobile techs in the area

[MikeandJan]

Take a look at YouTube videos for a lesson on winterization. Nothing to it - you can even buy the antifreeze at Walmart. We’ve found the KOA in Yemassee, SC to be an excellent overnight to and from Orlando.

[Pigman1]

De-winterize a day or 2 before leaving, and leave the heat on in the coach. After returning home, leave the heat on until you can winterize. I never winterize even when leaving the coach in Delaware all winter. A few bottles of gas with a drop light in the wet bay. We've departed in temps as low as 18 degrees and never had a problem. After the first day on the road you won't have any low temps to worry about.

[rssnape]

We went to Delaware in winter. Coldest nights was 12. De winterize and keep the heat on. If it’s Below 30 a drop light in the wet bay will keep it above freezing. When you return home you can winterize it yourself in about an hour.
Go over draining water lines and water heater, and sucking in pink antifreeze with your pump. Same some for your p traps.

[Triangle Drifter]

Where in MD are you? Last night it looks like not far NW of Baltimore got a good dumping of snow. Less than an hour away on the Eastern Shore they got noting but rain.

Your first night should have you far enough south not to have to worry about snow or extreme cold. Dewinterising is nothing more than putting water in the tank & pushing the pink stuff out of the pipes. Done in a couple of minutes. If you put anything down to discourage the critters pick that up.

Provided there is no exceptional weather the trip should be uneventful. Have fun. If you find yourself in the area for the night Carolina Crossroads RV at I95 exit 171 a little S of Roanoke Rapids, NC is a decent place that won't break the bank.

[Crasher]

I used to depart WI for the south in January. The coldest temp was -17 F. Many years it was 5-10 F. I always started the furnaces a couple days before departure. We always went dewinterized and with full water. We never had a frozen line. In extreme cold, I added an electric heater to the basement and the "Back Seat Heat" unit to the wet bay and also insulated the wet bay. I had to run the generator for 48 hours before we got into 20 degree weather. Your Adventurer has a heat duct into the wet bay which will heat it down to 15 degrees while stopped and 20 while traveling. A light bulb will protect it lower. Plan ahead, do not open the basement, install remote temperature sensors to "Know" what the Basement and wet bay temps are. Good planning can get you the full use of all your RV facilities in below freezing weather.

https://www.amazon.com/RoadWorthy-Ba...-2&tag=mh0b-20

[BYoshida]

We usually plan for a North Carolina campground stop heading south or back North to dewinterize/winterize for our I95 travels.

[DuaneMiller]

Originally Posted by Roy-c

Make reservations for Disney's Hoop de Do review for supper one night ahead of time so you can get floor seats instead of balcony. It is in Fort Wilderness and is a great show.

Everyone else has provided great advice as far as de-winterizing/winterizing, but wanted to let you know that the Hoop De Do show at Fort Wilderness is currently closed due to COVID. The only eating options available at the Fort now are take-out from Trails End/P&J Southern Take-out, and the snack bar at the pool.

You can get the same food they serve at Hoop De Do, fried chicken, ribs and various sides, which are all very good. You just have provide your own show

Also, be prepared to wear a mask anywhere outside your campsite. There are signs all over the place about it.

Folks have provided great information on stopping points along the way. If you find you get further south, a couple campgrounds to add to the list are:

Creek Fire Motor Ranch. Its a half mile off I-95 in the Savannah, GA area. Easy off/on the interstate. Its a fairly new campground, and I think its a bit pricey for an overnight...

Coastal GA RV Resort This is our favorite we have used for the last 15+ years. It is also off I-95, pull through, paved sites. Plenty of fuel stops. $40-ish per night. There are Flying J and TA travel plazas at this exit. Its about 30 mile north of the Florida state line.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by Reyestm

Well, we are taking our first long trip to Orlando (staying at Ft Wilderness for a couple of nights) leaving sometime either before or after Xmas - our reservation starts on the 27th, so we have plenty of time to get down. I currently have our new RV winterized and stored. We are trying to plan the date of departure, stopping location, dewinterizing process, and rewinterizing when we return. I called the RV dealership where we bought and they recommended keeping it winterized while we drive down to warmer weather and then finding a location somewhere on our way down and then winterize on our way back up. I want to have usage of all facilities in the RV as soon as we are in warmer weather and then as much as possible on the way back. I have a few questions for you:
- Any advice on that approach - keeping it winterized until we get closer down or at least in warmer weather
- Places and locations that we can just pop into get dewinterized and blow out lines etc.
- Same thing on the return from Orlando - we depart on Jan 4 and looking to get back home on the 6 in MD. Any good spots to winterize on way back.
-Since this is our first trip - I prefer not to have to do winterizing and dewinterizing myself. I plan on saving that until spring.

- Also any good routes you would take to get there and any other great spots to stop?
- Any advice on leaving before or after Xmas - concerned around what is or isn't open.
Thanks all for the help - we are new (completely to RVing) only one weekend out with it since we bought it two weeks ago to practice at a campground. We appreciate any advice or lessons learned you may have to share!

There is a good chance we will be making the same trip after Christmas - Just as a FYI - No matter what the temps when we leave we will fill with water - Fill with Fuel and head South - Turn on the Heat (we have the HH with the engine loop) stopping in a Wal*Mart in the Carolinas then again likely in Southern Georgia - No we will will not be voting there, even if we get a Ballot - - We will just plug in the Florida address in Waze - it will guide us down - I-95 would be my Guess - Most likely a three or four day drive - I use air to winterize, making it Easy to fill and go - as we will be staying warm in the Coach, not mush to worry about.

Might just mention we have Wintered in Colorado a few years in our past so this winter driving comes Easy. These RV's were made to survive in all sorts of weather - Just Keep your heat on - if needed just start your Generator - it will be just like being hooked up in a CG!

One more added note - with 150 gallons of fuel we can make the trip easily without needing a fuel stop - we also will use the Wal*Mart stops to resupply - we call in, ask if we can stop for the night, then place our order to have it ready for pickup in the AM. No other stops are needed, really an Easy Trip.

Wishing you a Great trip and a Warm and Happy Holidays.

[allenb12]

95 to I4 to 46 to 429 Arrive at Disney and miss Orlando traffic.

[Larry]

We leave from MD every year between Christmas and New Years. I Always dewinterize prior to leaving, and depending on temps keep going until the temps warm a little, usually the Carolinas. Some years I don't even winterize but just keep the heat on according to temps. I am not familiar with your coach, but don't think you have anything to worry about with some heat on. You only have to keep everything above 32 degrees to not freeze.

[Reyestm]

Thank you all for the great information. For those of you who asked, we are leaving from Frederick MD and stopping somewhere near South of the Border. Plan is to dewinterize before we go or once we arrive there. I did read up and figure out how to winterize on the way back - good advice. That way I can control the schedule.

Thanks again for all the great advice!