Community Forums

Pusherdiva · 11-08-2020, 09:36 AM

I have a 2005 Vectra and I am not living in it. Its in storage and I don't have any heat in it right now and I cant winterize it yet, because I need it for a trip in a few days. Im in the PNW and its supposed to get down to 25 degrees tonight. I was watching the weather but forgot to check it yesterday afternoon and the storage lot where I keep it is locked up on Sunday.

Does anyone have an idea whether or not an 8 gal. water heater can make it through the night without freezing up and destroying it?

**Spdracr39** · 11-08-2020, 09:40 AM

25 degrees for a low on one night won't be an issue as long as it warms back up above freezing the next day.

House Husband · 11-08-2020, 09:49 AM

Are you close to your coach? If so, just remove the drain plug. Better safe than sorry.

Richard

Pusherdiva · 11-08-2020, 09:49 AM

Oh thank you so much Spdracr39! I will relax! Supposed to stay in mid thirties starting tomorrow night. PHEW!

Skip426 · 11-08-2020, 09:49 AM

It's the hours below freezing that do the damage , the large volume in the water heater will be safer than the water in the lines, and the 12 volt pump .

Not much you can do with the compound locked , but I'd make a point of getting to the RV tomorrow EARLY and get some heat on in the unit , if you have water flow from the 12volt pump, that would be a good sign . If the forecast is for multiple nights with frost, and you can't leave heat on , then drain the whole water system.

EDIT : A three way tie for posting , first time I've seen that.
When I started typing , no one had posted a reply , boy I type slow.

Pusherdiva · 11-09-2020, 07:46 AM

Hi Skip, its a little scary, right now at 6;45 AM its 21 degrees and the lot doesn't open till 9. Ive owned the rig for 6 years and never ever even come close to freezing it up. Thanks so much for your assistance. I always learn so much from the kind, helpful and huge knowledge bank that Irv2 provides. Rvers are the best!

Ray,IN · 11-09-2020, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pusherdiva

Hi Skip, its a little scary, right now at 6;45 AM its 21 degrees and the lot doesn't open till 9. Ive owned the rig for 6 years and never ever even come close to freezing it up. Thanks so much for your assistance. I always learn so much from the kind, helpful and huge knowledge bank that Irv2 provides. Rvers are the best!

That's pushing it IMO. Just as soon as possible get heat to all the plumbing. Open all cabinet doors, drawers etc that may allow heat to plumbing. Freezing to slushy is not damaging, frozen solid will damage plumbing.
For the past 30 or so years I have determined if daytime higns reach 50° and nighttime lows stay above 27°, daytime residual heat is enough to prevent freezing the plumbing.