DaSu
St. Cloud Mn.
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Joined: 08/30/2005
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Well here I go again , the situation is this . We take off in 16 days. Our local forecast is for low temps. in the upper 20's low 30's over night.( sorry to our neighbors in Cananda , I don't know the celcius(sp) conversion , but lets just say lows temps. will be at , about or a bit lower than freezing water temp. overnight ) I really don't want to winterize . Reason ? Too darn lazy to do something that will be reversed in a few days as we plan to move out to the fiver our last week at home ( in about 12-13 days) . What are your tips on keeping the water lines pumps ect. from freezing ? We are in Mn. so not that far from Cananda , maybe you have some tricks to get us through this short peroid . I KNOW , turn the furnace on ! But is there anything you do to buy some time over this short freeze spell which is to last about 4-5 days ? Thanks
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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iF you keep the trailer heated AND it has an enclosed belly you will probably have no freezing problems provided low temps are only overnight. If they STAY in the 20s during the day it becomes a little more IFFY. If you have a heated basement even THOSE ifs tend to go away. If your basement is heated by the furnace then you'd need to furnace running. If they're electrically heated then there would be no need to even head the inside of the trailer unless you're actually using it. The weak points when using most any RV in cold weather are the pressure hose from the hydrant (take it in and operate from the water tank) and the dog shower. Remove the hose or at LEAST make sure the hose is drained and no water left in it.
If by chance your trailer does not have an enclosed belly then wish for calm winds because wind will be a big factor in whether you have a problem or not. Most RVs will leak enough heat to raise temps in their immediate vicinity by several degrees but wind negates that effect pretty quickly.
Good luck / skip
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JudoJeff
Southwick, MA
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25-32 degrees will not necessarily freeze your water lines, if it's only for a few hours. It takes several day-long low temps around 20 degrees to get the water lines to freeze.
But if you are still nervous, just put a light bulb into the cabinets where the water lines are.
The other option is to use low pressure air to blow out the lines. The little bit left in there won't break anything if it freezes, but you can quickly use them for water.
Good Luck!
K1BE Jeff
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bradyk
Calgary, Alberta
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Joined: 07/12/2003
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If you have access to an air compressor just blow out the lines. We have the same issue here in Alberta this time of year. We do camp all year long but we have some cold night the next few but will be nice and warm again next week. Once winter sets right in for good I fill the lines with antifreeze. Make sure you open the low point drain as well while blowing out and do the outside shower and toilet tank sprayer if you have one as well. I finf when blowing out the lines first you only need to add a small amount of antifreeze to finish when winter arrives. Other thing if you can plug in is to leave some heat on low and keep the cupboard doors open so lines in behind stay warm as well. I have been doing this for years and it works very well.
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M GO BLUE
Southgate, MI
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Dump the tanks, open and drain the low point drains and empty the water heater...blow out the lines if able, turn the furnace on inside and open the cabinet doors where the water lines are...
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Firstep1
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
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Joined: 08/15/2004
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DaSu, This is my personal opinion that this is a no brainer. I head south in another 2 weeks and I have winterized my rig allready and I will de-winterize when I get far enough south that there is no chance of freezing nights. The way I look at it is it cost me $3.88 for the antifreeze and about 20 min. to add it and another 20 min. to flush it out compared to the cost of repairs to the water lines after they have burst and the inconvenience of all that goes with it. As I said this is my opinion. Fred
Lethbridge, Alberta
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Brittany
Washington State and Salome Az
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Last year we didn`t leave until Nov 10, so I ran the furnace at night set at 50. This is in a 26 ft travel trailer.
The first day traveling I was a little worryed about things freezeing up as we traveled south through Idaho, but things were alright.
Don`t worry things will work out alright.
Charlie
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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I'm in upstate New York, leaving November 3rd. I don't play games with Old man winter. For the cost of gallon of antifreeze, the anitifreeze wins hands down. Drain the water heater, Drain the fresh water holding tank, lean the trailer to pump side of the tank, pure in the gallon, turn the pump on and run each outlet till you see pink. Then you won't have to worry about being sleepless in Northern Hemisphere. all of fifteen minuets in my book. What cost more 20 gallons of LP or $3.99 for a gallon of the Pink Stuff. JM2Cents Bill
Note when you leave just bring a few gallons of store bought water to drink while on the road till you can do a proper flush out.
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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Firstep1 wrote:DaSu, This is my personal opinion that this is a no brainer. I head south in another 2 weeks and I have winterized my rig allready and I will de-winterize when I get far enough south that there is no chance of freezing nights. The way I look at it is it cost me $3.88 for the antifreeze and about 20 min. to add it and another 20 min. to flush it out compared to the cost of repairs to the water lines after they have burst and the inconvenience of all that goes with it. As I said this is my opinion. Fred
Ditto, Ditto, Ditto!
Every RV has different routes/compartments for the water lines. What trick will work to keep them from freezing for one type of RV, won't necessarily work for a different RV.
Takes all of 30 minutes if that, versus the cost and damage from a broken line. AND avoid all the worrying as you travel to warmer temps if you can keep the lines from freezing.
I too winterized, bought a porta-pottie, and hit the road to warmer temps without having to worry. 
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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cruiserjs
Aurora, CO, USA/ Mesa AZ/ openroad
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We are in CO for another 3 weeks, then head south for the winter. We are expecting snow in Denver later this week ( one ski area opened this AM and another will open on Friday!). Also expect lows to get into the mid-20s. I have drained all the water system, including the water heater, but no anti freeze. Our first night out will see us in warmer climate where we will hook up to water supply.
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