Community Forums

meant2shop · 11-09-2012, 11:55 AM

We have an '01 Fleetwood Pace Arrow Vision 36B. Today is the first day the overnight low was a bit below freezing, with another forecast for tomorrow, and we know more are on the way.
Last year, DH decided we didn't need to winterize and we paid for it dearly with new heater, pipes, etc. Don't want to go through that AGAIN.
So far, DH says he's drained the hot water heater and propane tank is empty. Last night before it got too cold, we put a small space heater on inside the MH, along with a floor fan. Both are hooked up to house electricity.

If we want to use the MH this winter WITHOUT running the risk of again having to pay for frozen pipe/heater repairs in the Spring, what should we do now - we get several days of below freezing temps at night in winter - mostly in mid 20's to 30, as we're at approx. 1500 ft elevation. Usually get a couple ofinstances of 5-6 inches of snow a time or two, but mostly just PacNW rain in winter.

SO - should we bite the bullet and go ahead and winterize now?

-When we have the space heater and fan on inside, should we crack one window open just a bit (seems I read that somewhere awhile back on this forum.) ? I do place moisture absorbers around the inside of the MH in winter.
- Should we run the engine and generator for 30 minute weekly or just once per month?
- Should we put the wheels up on long planks and move the MH a few inches each week so tires wear evenly?
-mothballs for mice and if so - where - around the outside perimeter?
-dryer sheets and if so, where should we put them? No evident yet of mice (we've had the MH for 3 years and live out in the "country" on acreage.
- what about the water filter below the sink and the water line to the washer/dryer unit?
-Can you leave propane in the propane tank in winter or should it be extracted?

Any other tips/recommendations much appreciated. If we had the bucks, we'd just drive the MH to the Oregon Coast and leave it there during the winter so we could still enjoy it.

Thanks - Jim/Susan in Merlin, OR

96 Wideglide · 11-09-2012, 12:31 PM

Dont think ya need to worry about leaving propane in your tank over the winter.

Jim_HiTek · 11-09-2012, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meant2shop

Snip...

-When we have the space heater and fan on inside, should we crack one window open just a bit (seems I read that somewhere awhile back on this forum.) ? I do place moisture absorbers around the inside of the MH in winter.

No need to crack a window with the moisture absorbers. Save the energy.

- Should we run the engine and generator for 30 minute weekly or just once per month?

Once a month is fine for the genset, but don't run the engine unless you take it on the road to warm up ALL the fluids, engine & tranni. Most just leave it and don't run it at all.

- Should we put the wheels up on long planks and move the MH a few inches each week so tires wear evenly?

Yes to putting the wheels on planks. No to moving it (engine not getting up to temp is the problem).

-mothballs for mice and if so - where - around the outside perimeter?
-dryer sheets and if so, where should we put them? No evident yet of mice (we've had the MH for 3 years and live out in the "country" on acreage.

I don't know about mothballs...aren't they dangerous for other critters? I just set two, three mouse traps out and check them regularly. With the mouse traps, dryer sheets would be redundant. With the cold, if you get one or two, they'll be cold enough that they won't stink up the place if you're only checking once a week.

- what about the water filter below the sink and the water line to the washer/dryer unit?

I'd drain them. Along with the whole system. Blow out with air, remove and dump the water out of the water pump. Only takes a few minutes to do so. I have an auxillary electric heater in the water tank so I leave it on all winter if I can. If not, I drain the tank. Pour RV anti-freeze in the drains. You can also add a small electric heater to the rig to keep it above freezing...open all the lower cabinets under sinks.

-Can you leave propane in the propane tank in winter or should it be extracted?

Leave it in. In fact, you should fill it so you have a backup heating system in case your power goes out in the sticks & bricks.

Any other tips/recommendations much appreciated. If we had the bucks, we'd just drive the MH to the Oregon Coast and leave it there during the winter so we could still enjoy it.

Thanks - Jim/Susan in Merlin, OR

Hope this helps.