Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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Our "entry-level" MH has the holding tanks exposed to the weather. We simply flush with antifreeze; and add it to the greywater tank as we drain a bit of water. We use jug water for drinking/cooking/brushing teeth.
We are also pretty adept at "winterizing" in about 15 minutes :-)
This would be a hassle, if we wanted to stay in freezing temps for a week or so; but for travel through a "cold zone" (in our case, getting out of Michigan for a sunnier clime!) it works fine. And we can buy an awful lot of antifreeze for the thousands of extra dollars we'd have spent on fully enclosed plumbing....LOL!
Deb
Ed, Deb, and 3 dogs
2004 Gulfstream Conquest LE 28'
2001 Viking 1906ST Pop-up
2008 Ford Escape toad (Deb's) / S-10 Dragracing Truck! (Ed's)
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NTORACN
Moreno Valley
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Joined: 08/30/2004
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Let me see if I got this straight.
If I keep jugs of water inside the motorhome to keep it from freezing, I can use it and put it down the drains without fearing holding tank damage?
For the record, I have a 2000 Tioga 22' with no special insulation or heaters on the tanks or plumbing. As I stated earlier, I'm looking to use my motorhome to travel from So. Calif to S.E. Idaho for a family reunion over the Christmas Holidays. Using the motorhome for traveling versus my wife’s LandCruiser will make the trip up there and back much easier, but I don't want to cause damage to my holding tanks by flushing the toilet or brushing my teeth. I supect that the holding tanks will have no more than 2 to 3 gallons of water in them at any one time. I will drain and blow all of the fresh water lines out and not even use them during the trip.
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queensalmon
alaska
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Joined: 01/13/2005
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we have camped in -30 and had running water. no we could not dump and we did not fill the holding tanks to capacity. we kept the heater on inside and had no difficulty. we have done this more than once and did not damage the tanks.
fishonandon
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HiTech
Texas
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Joined: 03/22/2002
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NTORACN,
On my past RV's the holding tanks have not been very suceptable to cold weather damage compaired to the fresh water plumbing. I have done what you describe with no damage and not problem getting the waste out of the tanks down to 0 degrees low, though it is easier to actually dump if it is closer to 32 degrees in my experience. I am sure the rock salt helped me avoid damage and keep things flowing below freezing though.
Jim
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jade04
Elkhart, Indiana USA
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Joined: 10/11/2004
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I drain all tanks and put the water Heater on bypass.
I put full strength RV Antifreeze in the fresh water tank and use it to flush the pot. I dump a gallon of antifreeze in the Gray Water Tank. We use a jug of water sparingly to wash hands or brush teeth.
We use our RV's for short trips all winter in temps to 0 and below. I dump the waste tanks during a warm spell or in the spring. There are only two of us and I usually can buy RV Antifreeze for $1.00 a gallon.. Last year I bought RV Antifreeze at Menards for $1.19 a gallon and later in the season I bought some for $.99 a gallon.
Salt works well in the Gray water tank. I have tried to flush the pot by dumping water in it and had trouble with the flush valve freezing shut since the water didn't all drain down. We do not keep the heater on all the time.
[b]2000 Chevy Silverado LE 1500 Std. Cab, Long Bed
[b]1994 8' Comfort Camp. slide in truck camper
[b]2001 Four Winds Majestic 23A Class C Motor Home
Our Summer Place
Woodland Park 12 X 38 Park Model Trailer at Sandy Pines Camping Resort.[url=http://www.sandypines.com/]Sandy Pines[/url]
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wwest
Redmond WA
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Joined: 03/17/2005
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I would worry a lot more, a whole LOT more, about driving any MH on the type of adverse roadbed conditions you might encounter in ID during the winter months. I would default to the SUV(***) a two sets of tire chains.
*** That's provded the SUV in question is not one of those wantabee FWD SUVs or front torque biased (transaxle drivetrain) AWDs. Some of those, mostly Toyota and Lexus, cannot even fit tirechains on the rear and therefore recommend tirechains only on the front, a driving situation WELL KNOWN to be HAZARDOUS.
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Bubby's RV
CA
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Joined: 07/22/2003
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tatest wrote:Bubby's RV wrote:If you put enough salt in so it's at sea water concentration, you'll be good up to the Artic Circle.
If you keep the rig in the ocean, where the seawater is 28F or higher. Ok, I stand corrected.
John, Winnebago Minnie 24V
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oreddie
Bend, Oregon
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Joined: 10/22/2005
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We've been folding trailer campers for 20 some-odd years, including 10 in Alaska, so winterizing has never been a question for us. In early September we sold the folder and purchased a 2006 Winnebago View (23' class C).
Now I'm not sure at what point I need to worry about winterizing the water system. Our area (Pacific Northwest - east of the Cascades)seldom sees extended periods of below freezing temperatures but our high desert climate almost always means night-time temps in the teens to mid twenties.
We'd like to use the rig from time to time but I don't want to risk the pipes. Any thoughts?
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TonyMin
Walnut Creek CA
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Joined: 01/25/2005
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That is good information since ski season is coming up. All my freshwater lines are inside and the tank is under the bed. I was just worried about the black and grey holding tanks getting freeze damage. I really don't want to put the pink stuff in my lines but am willing to put it down the drains. That and rocksalt should do fine for a two day ski trip and just keep the heater on. Also, as long as the WH is on it should be ok without draining?
'98 Shasta Cheyenne 280 highrise, widebody
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Me & She
Wasilla, Alaska
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Joined: 08/15/2005
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Why not put tank heaters on your outside tanks. My brother has these and has camped at -10 to -20 for a week at a time without problems.
Charter member: Alaskan's for Global Warming 
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