Winter Travel

[odinjunior]

Hello there.

We are contemplating a Holiday trip to the East coast from Arizona and wondering if pulling our 24AS is a bad idea. Northern PA being the final destination.

It is a 2021 and even though Northwood claims "Heated Tanks" ours does not have the optional heat pads.

What else is going to Freeze at 65 MPH?

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...n_2021_087.JPG

[Old-Biscuit]

'Heated Tanks'......most likely a furnace duct that blows warm air into the underbelly area around the tanks

You could travel with fresh water tank 1/2 full and use as needed then drain the plumbing system via Low point drains (leave them open until ready to use water), drain water heater tank , leave faucets open, make sure toilet water supply valve is drained etc

Turn on RV Furnace and keep trailer roasty toasty warm while traveling

OR completely drain/winterize trailer and not use until at destination then run Furnace


A little water in waste tanks/fresh water tanks will be OK even if it freezes as there is room for expansion
Water lines.....especially low point drain lines that have caps/valves on end of them will freeze and break valves/fittings
Toilet water supply valve can freeze/split open


Then of course there is BAD Weather/Travel considerations
Chains for truck/trailer??????????

[odinjunior]

Sounds like I'll be leaving the RV in Arizona and paying for Motels going across country.

[Dave1956]

We use antifreeze in our black and gray tank when traveling in the winter. We leave our fresh water system completely winterized. Keep about 6 gallon jugs of water in shower for flushing and washing up. Bottled water for cooking and drinking.

It really is not that bad and allows us to enjoy our coach while traveling. Stop for coffee and run furnace again at lunch.

We enjoy it just fine.

[IdahoBob]

Originally Posted by odinjunior

Sounds like I'll be leaving the RV in Arizona and paying for Motels going across country.

That's what I would do. I wouldn't worry about pipes freezing, etc. I would worry a whole bunch about road conditions and the possibility of surprising opportunities for loss of sufficient traction between my several tires and the pavement.

Bob

[MingusPirate]

I had a job in Columbus, OH and was there for the winter. I had a heat traced hose for water (Regular hose, heat trace wire from HD in 24 ft, and wrapped with pipe insulation. Use zip ties to hold the heat wire to the hose. Cut your 25 ft hose to fit heat wire, and use plastic hose end.) Run your propane heater to keep underside warm. Don't use space heaters as everything will freeze. Fill FW tank half in case hose fails. You will burn a lot of propane, so have at least 3 tanks. Mid winter I traded a 30 ft HR for a 40 ft Montana and was never cold or had pipes freeze. Now all bets are off if it gets down to 30 below. However, 0 F was fine.

[grassy]

We head out of Nova Scotia around Nov 1st and drive slowly to Texas. We have a 29 5t and I don't believe we have heated tanks.. Not sure how I could tell. Lots of nights below 0. We take our water hose off because the hose / filter will freeze ..