J-Rooster
Port Orchard, Wa. U.S.A.
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Joined: 11/14/2004
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While awaiting a new slide out seal from Winnebago, my Motorhome has been parked at Poulsbo RV. The DW asked me about running the furnace to keep the inside of the coach warm or bringing the coach home until the parts arrive. The Winnebago Dealership told the DW that coaches should not be heated during the winter just leave them alone, outside of cracking the drivers window alittle while it is parked. He said that coaches are designed to sit without heat during the winter and that heating them then letting them get cold is what causes warping and the glue not to bond to cabinets etc.? I don't believe that! The past several weeks it's be very cold for our damp area, in N.W. Washington State. It's been high teens to low twenty's almost every night the past week. I've been RVing since 1976 and I've always kept alittle heat in my coach around 53 degrees and never have had any problems! I believe not heating the inside during the winter is just asking for trouble, especially in our very damp moist climate of Northwest Washington State. What's your opinion on this! Thanks for your input regardless if you agree with me or not! John
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jrtgirls
Garner, NC USA
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Joined: 08/04/2003
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I turn the heat on until I have the unit winterized. After the unit is winterized, I do not use the heat.
In NC, we can usually wait until the first of January to have our units winterized.
jrtgirls
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MI Director
Michigan
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Joined: 03/03/2007
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In Michigan those of us who are not snowbirds winterize and store them for the winter with no heat. We my have to clear snow off once in a while. Have not had any problem in the 20 years been back up here. When we were living down south we keep heat in them then because we didn't have to winterize.
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Hoppers4
Port Orchard, WA
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Joined: 12/24/2005
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Hey neighbor, I don't think heat is necessary but it certainly can't hurt anything. I maintain a dehumidifier in mine in the winter when temps are above 38. Like you said, it's been chilly around here lately so I've haven't been running the dehumidifier.
I also run my rig down the road every month just to exercise the tires, engine, and brakes.
08 Winnebago Sightseer 29R
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sch911
Rochester Hills, MI
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Joined: 04/13/2003
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Heat inside and cold outside is a sure recipe for condensation, and possible mold/mildew. When not in use turn off the heat.
2003 Damon Challenger 348 Class A - Triton V10
Posted by Macintosh
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tom_kat
way upstate new york/lake george area
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Joined: 02/28/2005
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it gets below 0 here at times and for long periods of times like 6 months its below freezeing with out any problems i dont use any heat inside unless im in there working on something.
1985 Class A Holiday Rambler Imperial 33 +1979 Class C Holiday Rambler Statesman 1000 = 24 ft
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jhilley
Buxton, ND
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Joined: 12/25/2005
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I keep an electric oil filled heater on low (750 watts), just to keep the dampness down. It keeps it above freezing most of the time. I think it is best to keep the air in the motorhome moving around.
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T18skyguy
Eugene, OR
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Joined: 12/13/2004
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I think it can be good to keep things from freezing but there is a flip side. Rodents sense the warmth and try and get in the coach, so be careful of that. I remember years back in Pennsylvania, during freezing weather, we would pop the hood and find rat feces on top of the engine. The buggers were using the hot engine like a foot warmer.
Retired Anesthetist. Pilot with mechanic/inspection ratings.1996 Jayco C 22 foot with 460/Banks Powerpak/Bilsteins.Wife and daughter. Two cats which control my life. 1975 Ford F-250, 84 Coupe Deville, Thorp T18, tons of tools and tons of junk.
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tandkj
Full timer
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Joined: 08/04/2003
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No heat equals no mold from warm air. When we lived in VA we never heated the coach unless we were in it.
08 Camelot
07 Ranger Toad
One lost Golden Retriever
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA USA
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Joined: 01/05/2005
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If Poulsbo said you don't need heat, then you better get some.
I would get some Damprid or Driz-air at least.
I hope Poulsbo isn't going to charge you rent while waiting for parts.
Bud
Suzuki XL7 pushing Pace Arrow
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