Stupid Spring Camping Question

[Chfranco]

Hi All,

We dewinterized two weekends ago but last night we had a frost warning. So I went to spend the night at our 5er which is permanently set up on a campsite. When i left this morning, I left the furnace on but really low (40degrees).

Is this ok to do? We will be going back to the campground on Saturday? What do others do in this situation, we can't be the first people to run into this problem.

We've never permanently camped before... i thought i should turn off the electric hot water heater, the propane and the water but maybe this isn't right?

thanks and best regards,

[KyDan]

I would turn on an electric heater and set it on low rather than use my furnace.

[BamaBob]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I would turn on an electric heater and set it on low rather than use my furnace.

X2 this is the heater we have for our 5er:

http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-EW770...ds=oil+heaters

[Iwritecode]

I'm permanent and we always turn off the water, the water heater, the furnace and the electric heater every week. We leave the propane on for the fridge in case we lose power.

We've had overnight lows in the low 30's and it's never been a problem.

[dcheatwood]

I set furnace low on freezing nights to warm underbelly plumbling as well as inside. Also open cabinet doors to sinks plumbing. Electric heat will not warm underbelly hoses and tanks.
But "frost" does not mean freeze. You can get frost at 37°. You're probably OK.

[deebarjay]

what kind of trailer? ..... is it 3 or 4 season ?? and do you have shore pwr? ...setting your thermostat at 50* will keep the inside stuff frost free and not use too much gas at 28*-32*f.

[DRiveWell]

I may have misunderstood your posting, but if you turn off your propane, the furnace will not work. Like others, I would use an electric heater on low. Thankfully it doesn't stay cold for long this time of year (28 and snow here two days ago).

[B and B]

We camped last weekend and had snow the last few days and below zero. The advantage we have is Diamond Edition with dark finishes. Trailer heats up in the sun and the inside never is below freezing due to latent heat stored. A few days a coupld degrees below I would not worry about it.

[LANShark42]

I won't leave my house with an electric heater on, much less my TT. That's one of the top causes of home fires. Seems like a GREAT way to lose your TT to a fire.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by LANShark42

I won't leave my house with an electric heater on, much less my TT. That's one of the top causes of home fires. Seems like a GREAT way to lose your TT to a fire.

Unless you are leaving animals in your trailer, it shouldn't be a problem. Make sure the cord is not covered and nothing is near the heater and put it on low. No worries. If something completely freaky happens- that's what insurance is for

[David 01]

As a seasonal camper in NE ohio.., spring weather is a concern. We opened up last weekend, did all the necessary flushing etc... When we left, I turned off the water at the source and opened the faucets. But then again, I do this every time we leave even in July. I do not run the heater when I am not there; electric or propane. Thus far no issues. Most folks don't turn off the water and I have not heard of anything going wrong. Good Luck happy camping!

2 days in 2015....sigh, I need to retire.....

[Computer Nerd]

Originally Posted by Chfranco

Hi All,

We dewinterized two weekends ago but last night we had a frost warning. So I went to spend the night at our 5er which is permanently set up on a campsite. When i left this morning, I left the furnace on but really low (40degrees).

Is this ok to do? We will be going back to the campground on Saturday? What do others do in this situation, we can't be the first people to run into this problem.

We've never permanently camped before... i thought i should turn off the electric hot water heater, the propane and the water but maybe this isn't right?

thanks and best regards,

I live in west Michigan and the weather here can change in the blink of an eye. Basically as long as it's not below freezing for more than 12 hours, and if your tanks, hot water, fresh, gray and black are empty, you should be ok. It got down to 25 degrees two nights ago here, but it was only below freezing for about 6hours.


Computer Nerd
2014 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD Duramax
2016 Sandpiper 35ROK

[Flybob]

A frost warning or even mild freeze warning should not be a problem. Freeze damage is caused when the ice expands after freezing. It really needs to stay below 32 for some time before you will have damage. I would shut off water ( just in case), open faucets and low point drains and you should be OK. Don't forget to shut off water heater if you drain water. It is always a good idea to shut off water when you are away. Protects against leaking plumbing should something fail or public water pressure spike.