When to winterize

[jastinjr]

Have a 31 ft. 04 Allegro gas mh. This is our first mh, before we pulled 5th wheel. My question is we live in Indiana, the temp so far are running 50 during the day and low 30 at night. We are planning on leaving the last week of this mo. heading south (again for the first time). What should I be doing about winterizing the mh. Do the whole bit, blow out lines only or what?? to protect from possible freezing. Thanks for any help!!

[Tom3205]

Blow lines, add a few gallons of pink stuff to the water lines via fresh water tank and water pump. When you get south of, say, Nashville, you can drain the system, refill and use the toilet again. Bring bottled water for coffee, cooking. When you get to your destination, you can drain tank again, flush, and then just hook up to city water. Open faucets and flush lines. A lot of work, but cheap insurance.

[cvrvr]

Your coach is almost the same as ours. It has a heated area below the floor where the tanks and plumbing is located. The heat is provided by the gas furnace inside your coach. As long as you use the furnace to warm the inside it will provide enough heat underneath to keep everything from freezing.

Good luck on your first trip south.

George

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by cvrvr

Your coach is almost the same as ours. It has a heated area below the floor where the tanks and plumbing is located. The heat is provided by the gas furnace inside your coach. As long as you use the furnace to warm the inside it will provide enough heat underneath to keep everything from freezing.

Good luck on your first trip south.

George

The only thing I would add to George's comment is this,
If you are not using the hot water heater, I suggest putting on by-pass and draining it. Because it is on the outside exposed to the elements and is the first thing to freeze. Other than that, the basement heat will keep things good till you get south.

[Cousin Ed]

If you can keep it plugged in and keep the propane filled, just set the thermostat around 45 - 50 until you leave. I costs a few dollars more but it's much less of a hassle.

[RetiredBob]

If you have an air compressor, I'd go ahead and blow out the lines--it's not a big job--just to be safe. Don't bother with the antifreeze, though.

[Ray,IN]

Being a Hoosier myself; I have a rule-of-thumb that has worked well for many years.

When daytime highs reach 50*, and nighttime lows are above 27*, I don't worry about anything freezing in the RV. There is enough residual heat from the day to prevent freezing during those few hours of freezing temperatures. Do not worry about any wind-chill factor, it only affects living tissue.

We have the same departure plans, and do not plan to winterize the RV. The LP furnace, set on 50* (only at night) should suffice during lower temps than my rule-of-thumb. I will re-fill the LP tank when we are on the road, Camping World supercenters (when equipped) sell propane for $1.99/G on Tuesdays.

["007"]

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Being a Hoosier myself; I have a rule-of-thumb that has worked well for many years.

When daytime highs reach 50*, and nighttime lows are above 27*, I don't worry about anything freezing in the RV. There is enough residual heat from the day to prevent freezing during those few hours of freezing temperatures. Do not worry about any wind-chill factor, it only affects living tissue.

We have the same departure plans, and do not plan to winterize the RV. The LP furnace, set on 50* (only at night) should suffice during lower temps than my rule-of-thumb. I will re-fill the LP tank when we are on the road, Camping World supercenters (when equipped) sell propane for $1.99/G on Tuesdays.

X2 on this one and if your traveling in colder weather leave furnace on until you hit the warm weather.
Have been in 1* temps for a long weekend and furnace kept everything as warm as you wanted your body and the holding tanks.
Here is more info in winter travels.
Enjoy your trip and safe travels.