Freezing temps coming after de winterizing

[Jim28730]

I did the same thing last weekend...faked out by 60-70* temps for the last few weeks. Now we are going to get temps at night in the high teens and low 20's, not to mention 4-6" of SNOW over the weekend. At lest the day temps will be in the high 30's and low 40's.

Firing up the Oasis and burning a little diesel fuel for the next few days. With the furnace running, the basement is heated. I'd rather burn a few gallons of diesel than re-winterize for four days of low temps.

[nothermark]

It is too early in most of the country to be frost free. A few warm days does not make summer! That said heaters or blow out and maybe pink stuff. It's easy and a lot cheaper than one busted valve or line.

[harryn]

A couple of potential options:

1) Hot water
Run some hot water into the fresh water tank to warm it up some, it will use some propane, but that might be better than having lines freeze up. If you are only 5 - 10 F below freezing, circulating the water lines and keeping the tanks warm will likely help.

2) Food grade antifreeze
I am not talking about RV antifreeze, rather use a bottle or so of vodka. Just pour some into your water tank and circulate it a bit. It will depress the freeze point several degrees, depending on how many bottles you add.

Taking a shower is not a problem because it won't really add any odor, especially the better brands.

Drink bottled water for a few days while you work that water through the showers, etc.

I know it sounds a bit odd, but it is technically sound.

[mcarden75]

Originally Posted by MRUSA14

I don't know much about your rigs, but in mine I would just run the heater at about 60 degrees for those few days.

That's good because the furnace tubing runs through the basement. Thank you.

[mcarden75]

Originally Posted by OLYLEN

I was lazy this year and did not winterized. So when we had below freezing temp over several days around the clock I set the furnace at 40°. It did cost me 6 gallons of pro pane for the 2-3 weeks. Oh I did have 120 power but several RVs are on the same line so no heaters.

LEN

I'm honestly glad I just filled my propane tank lol.

[mcarden75]

Originally Posted by znt1186

Live in WNC and did not winterize at all this year. Everything seems to be working just fine. This is not the first time I have gone without winterizing, but I do have some small ceramic heaters, one inside and one in the wet bay. I also have the furnaces set at 45 degrees as a back up. I always look to see how long temps will be below freezing, how far below and keep an eye on my heaters as I am plugged in at home.

Do you have a 30 Amp circuit at home or just a regular 15 Amp?

[mcarden75]

Originally Posted by burfurd

If the temp takes a dip, we just turn on a couple of space heaters in the motor home, place a 40 watt light bulb on an extension cord in the water bay, make sure the water heater winter switch is on and wait for warmer weather.

We never winterize due to heading south in late October.

burfurd

See my problem is we have 3 units. Just imagine all the units with leaks.. Ouch.

[mcarden75]

Originally Posted by DGBPokes

We just got back from the Rio Grande Valley, and don't want to winterize with the pink stuff. temps here 60 in the day maybe 29 and only for a couple of hours. I am taking the rig to a repair shop for some work next week, so I did blow out the lines.

Do you PSI at 40 or 45

[mcarden75]

Originally Posted by Jim28730

I did the same thing last weekend...faked out by 60-70* temps for the last few weeks. Now we are going to get temps at night in the high teens and low 20's, not to mention 4-6" of SNOW over the weekend. At lest the day temps will be in the high 30's and low 40's.

Firing up the Oasis and burning a little diesel fuel for the next few days. With the furnace running, the basement is heated. I'd rather burn a few gallons of diesel than re-winterize for four days of low temps.

Talking about a crazy winter. We were hitting near 80's and then winter showed it's face again [emoji16]

[mcarden75]

Originally Posted by nothermark

It is too early in most of the country to be frost free. A few warm days does not make summer! That said heaters or blow out and maybe pink stuff. It's easy and a lot cheaper than one busted valve or line.

Very true.

[mcarden75]

Originally Posted by harryn

A couple of potential options:

1) Hot water
Run some hot water into the fresh water tank to warm it up some, it will use some propane, but that might be better than having lines freeze up. If you are only 5 - 10 F below freezing, circulating the water lines and keeping the tanks warm will likely help.

2) Food grade antifreeze
I am not talking about RV antifreeze, rather use a bottle or so of vodka. Just pour some into your water tank and circulate it a bit. It will depress the freeze point several degrees, depending on how many bottles you add.

Taking a shower is not a problem because it won't really add any odor, especially the better brands.

Drink bottled water for a few days while you work that water through the showers, etc.

I know it sounds a bit odd, but it is technically sound.

I heard about vodka. You put it I the freezer and it will never freeze. More expensive then antifreeze but less smelly.

[Sweetbriar]

I would open the low point drains and empty the water system. Probably the easiest solution. The lines might not drain every drop of water but probably enough to prevent bursting should an overnight hard freeze occur.

Adding air blow out to a low point drain will be more than enough to protect your coach. You don't need a lot of pressure, 40 psi is enough, but air volume to blow the lines. My winters in southeastern Virginia are fairly mild and a blow out has worked well for me over multiple winters.

With only low overnight temps you probably be OK but being proactive now will limit risks. I enjoy working on my coach, call it a labor of love, but I try and avoid making work.

[mcarden75]

Originally Posted by Sweetbriar

I would open the low point drains and empty the water system. Probably the easiest solution. The lines might not drain every drop of water but probably enough to prevent bursting should an overnight hard freeze occur.

Adding air blow out to a low point drain will be more than enough to protect your coach. You don't need a lot of pressure, 40 psi is enough, but air volume to blow the lines. My winters in southeastern Virginia are fairly mild and a blow out has worked well for me over multiple winters.

With only low overnight temps you probably be OK but being proactive now will limit risks. I enjoy working on my coach, call it a labor of love, but I try and avoid making work.

I agree about that. I enjoy taking a used one and reconstruct them. I consider them a lot of fun for both parts.

[DGBPokes]

Originally Posted by mcarden75

Do you PSI at 40 or 45

Plaquard on inlet says " do not exceed 60 psi" on m coach. I set the compressor regulator to 55 psi.