Winter camping/winterizing

[Thekipkers]

I couldn't find this exact question so figured I would get some input.

We will be camping into mid December in Texas. While expecting below freezing temps at night and able during the day. Should I add antifreeze to the black/ grey tanks to prevent freezing? I know I could just leave the grey partially open and water trickling inside the camper to prevent freezing, just curious if the antifreeze would be fine as well. Also will the antifreeze be an issue with septic dumping at the CG.

I do plan on blowing out the lines and putting in antifreeze after we finish up in December, just planned on blowing out the lines and low point until then to prevent having to repeat winterizing multiple times.


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[Charliec]

I'm in the Houston area and will follow the replies. Thanks for asking.

[davel1971]

you mean you would leave water trickling when you are away from camper during week? I hope not. Imagine all that could go wrong. I would blow out lines, drain water heater and low point drains so there is nothing to freeze. Little pink stuff in the P traps

[Vinster30]

We do a lot of winter camping. Our trailer has a underbelly and stays warm enough that I do not worry about the holding tanks as long as we keep the heater going. I use a heated fresh water hoses and wrap the faucet to prevent those from freezing. I can winterize the trailer in about 10 minute now, after every week trip.

[Crusadernoob]

Define below freezing, 1-2 degrees or 10+ below freezing. If it's only a few it takes a long time to actually "freeze" to a damaging point. Meaning 2-3 hours at 30 degrees ain't gonna cause problems. As far as the tanks keep em half full, the large capacity of water will not freeze in a couple cold hours during the night only a little below freezing. Now if your talking 20 degrees I would winterized daily.

[Thekipkers]

Sorry should have been more clear about it. We will be camping this weekend, over thanksgiving and mid December for a weekend only.

The TT will be in storage in between. My plan was to put antifreeze in the holding tanks while in storage to prevent freezing and drain/blow out the water lines (low point) in between trips. At out last trip in December I would do a complete winterize with AF charged into all lines etc.

The temps show to be mid to low 30s with a low possible in the low in the high 20s. With daily temps being above freezing.


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[donanddona]

I would blow the water lines and pull the water heater anode/drain plug. The black and grey tanks should be ok. Additionally, just open the pit-cock drain on the fresh water tank.

[robert.beck.7737]

The water pump in my 2011 41ft XLR TH is behind the wall in the front basement making it difficult to get to to pump antifreeze into the piping. To do so, one must empty the basement storage and then open a pass through hole to get to the pump: too much trouble for my tastes. I have come up with a solution for a portable water pump apparatus to use to pump antifreeze via the city water port. I bought an inexpensive water pump from CW, some tubing and connectors from Lowes, a motorcycle battery from Auto Zone and a Bostitch tool box from Lowes. I'm going to mount the whole thing in the tool box. When I get it all put together I will post some pictures.

[Thekipkers]

Thanks for the information, first cold trip went well, with no issues.

I melted the hot water tank and blew out all the lines.

We have another trip over thanks giving and a true test in December.


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