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Old 11-11-2024, 10:21 AM   #1
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Leaving 5th wheel set up while gone over winter

We live full time in our 42' VanLeigh and but are going to be gone for 3 months over the winter while traveling in our smaller trailer.

I'm pondering the best way to prevent the VanLeigh from freezing while being gone without having to winterize/antifreeze the whole thing... our son might drop in and stay over a couple times during the winter.

Temps here (Moab, UT) can get to low 20's, maybe high teens overnight. We will have power all winter, but I'm a little scared to leave regular fan type space heaters running while away.

Here are my thoughts...

Fill the black tank, grey tank, and fresh tanks with fresh water, then run the tank heaters. I think this will help with a little radiant heat in the basement area.

Purchase a couple of radiant oil heaters, one for the rear kitchen, and one for the bedroom/bathroom area. They look to be 1500 watts, so just run them on medium (900 watts) to prevent overloading the electrical cords/breakers.
Set them to a fairly low temp so they are running less. Use an analog controlled heater so if the power goes out while we area away the heater will come back on.

Open the cupboard doors.

Any other thoughts or ideas?

Thanks!
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Old 11-11-2024, 12:02 PM   #2
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This whole thing just seems like a bad idea to me! I could not enjoy my travels, while watching temps, wondering if all is well, hoping it doesn't get any colder there.

I would, at the very least drain all systems, blow out all lines, and put anti-freeze in traps. If you have a quality safe oil type heater, using it might add a little more confidence, that all is well.
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Old 11-11-2024, 12:07 PM   #3
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You might consider draining your tanks and add antifreeze solution to the black and gray tanks, drain your freshwater system, blow them out and add antifreeze with power off. That is the way I left my fifth wheel trailer in South Lake Tahoe over two winters while I was gone.
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Old 11-11-2024, 12:36 PM   #4
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Winterize the fresh water, leave some jugs of water in the shower for drinking or washing. Add a gallon of antifreeze split between the grey and black tanks, or throw some salt in each. Running a heater is a recipe for burst plumbing and water damage when it melts the next day.
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Old 11-11-2024, 01:47 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by Camp CA View Post
You might consider draining your tanks and add antifreeze solution to the black and gray tanks, drain your freshwater system, blow them out and add antifreeze with power off. That is the way I left my fifth wheel trailer in South Lake Tahoe over two winters while I was gone.
Agreed. I would also pour antifreeze down the sinks to get it into the sewer traps. Obviously, those collect water that will freeze and crack.

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Old 11-11-2024, 02:57 PM   #6
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Tank and compartment heaters

They actually make electric heaters that are designed to protect marine tank and below areas from freezing. These are higher quality, engineered for the purpose and yes they are a bit costly. Here are some examples.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=marine+co..._ts-doa-p_3_14

Temperature monitoring over Wi-Fi can also be used to check on things remotely. I added GoVee to my RV.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09BV...57497061a&th=1

Unless you have someone close by to monitor and manage best option is to properly winterize and shut it down. I use compressed air to blow out the freshwater lines and heater. I only use antifreeze for the traps and waste tanks. I hate the taste and smell.
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Old 11-11-2024, 08:04 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BajaWinters View Post
We live full time in our 42' VanLeigh and but are going to be gone for 3 months over the winter while traveling in our smaller trailer.

I'm pondering the best way to prevent the VanLeigh from freezing while being gone without having to winterize/antifreeze the whole thing... our son might drop in and stay over a couple times during the winter.

Temps here (Moab, UT) can get to low 20's, maybe high teens overnight. We will have power all winter, but I'm a little scared to leave regular fan type space heaters running while away.

Here are my thoughts...

Fill the black tank, grey tank, and fresh tanks with fresh water, then run the tank heaters. I think this will help with a little radiant heat in the basement area.

Purchase a couple of radiant oil heaters, one for the rear kitchen, and one for the bedroom/bathroom area. They look to be 1500 watts, so just run them on medium (900 watts) to prevent overloading the electrical cords/breakers.
Set them to a fairly low temp so they are running less. Use an analog controlled heater so if the power goes out while we area away the heater will come back on.

Open the cupboard doors.

Any other thoughts or ideas?

Thanks!
Considering the thousands of dollars in potential damage, and the little amount of time to winterize the plumbing, is it really worth the risk?

We got caught in snow in New mexico several years ago. 3 days of sub freezing weather, 0 Celsius down to -4 Celsius. Wewere in the trailer, the propane heat was running, I had electric heat running full time, no water hookups and sewer pipe wasn't either. On day 3 I got surprised by a frozen cold water line. The line drain sticks out the underbelly and the drop part has zero water circulation, so it froze up and went up the line.

Luckily, we were leaving and I managed to thaw it out and avoided major damage, but it's not something I want to try again.

Running heaters will cost $$$ and it'll take time to set this all up anyway. You'll also risk fire damage. Draining the lines, tanks and running plumbing antifreeze will cost you maybe 10$ and 1/2hr tops if you're mechanically capable. You'll have peace of mind when travelling and no danger of power outages that'll ruin your trailer.

Good luck.
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Old 11-11-2024, 08:46 PM   #8
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3 months is a long time to try and avoid winterizing.
Just winterize with anti freeze and be done with it.
Winter in my area is from December until March 1st.
I winterize my RV for that 3 month period and I'm home with the RV in my yard.
Sure I could play games with space heaters and thermo cubes but why?
What is the advantage of not winterizing?
Cheaper? Easier? You get the chance to worry if things go hay wire? You get to pay for electric in a vacant RV for 3 months?
Anti freeze is cheap easy and most importantly fool proof!
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Old 11-12-2024, 04:31 AM   #9
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Winterize the unit, pull in the slides, drain the waste tanks, and enjoy where ever you go.
You are looking for serious damage if you don't.
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Old 11-12-2024, 07:53 AM   #10
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Winterize the unit, pull in the slides, drain the waste tanks, and enjoy where ever you go.
You are looking for serious damage if you don't.

This has been stated several times in this post and is the best course of action! Shut down the unit and winterize, call it good.
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Old 11-12-2024, 12:01 PM   #11
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Ok... looks like the votes are in. I guess I'll tell the son he wont be able to stay as he comes through town. Would hate to wreck the trailer.

Thanks
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Old 11-12-2024, 12:44 PM   #12
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I explained one option for using it, without the fresh water use.
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Old 11-15-2024, 10:20 AM   #13
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Anti freeze is cheap easy and most importantly fool proof!

It's no where near as cheap as it was before covid! Seems like I used to be able to get it on sale for 1.99/gal. Now it's easily double that!

With that said... I agree with all of you that he should winterize it. While it is now $5/gal... a couple of those are much cheaper than fixing the plumbing. Your son can either do without plumbing or just not use the camper.
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