Winterize or not?

[jcw]

I live in SW Ohio and where I store my 351ds outdoors, I have a 30amp hookup. Is it practical or safe to assume that, if use my furnace, arctic packs, and even 1 of the AC units with heat strips, that I can store the tv over winter without winterizing?

[Happy Vibe]

I'm not sure I would want to do that. If you do not plan on using it for the whole winter I would just get it winterized. It will probably be cheaper than trying to keep it heated over the winter and you will not have to worry about running out of propane or if an ice storm comes and knocks out your power.

[PhoneDude 8289]

Originally Posted by Happy Vibe

I'm not sure I would want to do that. If you do not plan on using it for the whole winter I would just get it winterized. It will probably be cheaper than trying to keep it heated over the winter and you will not have to worry about running out of propane or if an ice storm comes and knocks out your power.

X2

[oxcamper]

I have my TT in SW Ohio in a park that offers year round hookups, and I store it there during the off season. Talking with some of the full timers there, the last few winters were pretty brutal and even their heated and insulated lines had freezing.
My 2 cents -- for the minimal time it takes to winterize a unit, it's cheap insurance. Mostly because if someting did happen to a waterline , you wouldn't know it until you turn on pressure and then you're already in trouble.
Winterize it.

[RVnut]

with such a large investment in the balance why would anyone want to take a chance on water damage and the cost of plumbing repairs.. With the way weather has been the last few years is it worth taking a chance??

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by oxcamper

My 2 cents -- for the minimal time it takes to winterize a unit, it's cheap insurance.

Agreed. Very minimal time, effort and cost.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by jcw

I live in SW Ohio and where I store my 351ds outdoors, I have a 30amp hookup. Is it practical or safe to assume that, if use my furnace, arctic packs, and even 1 of the AC units with heat strips, that I can store the tv over winter without winterizing?

THIS is a Easy answer NO! Youroo!!

[lbrjet]

Don't even think about not winterizing. 12 bucks and one hour vs hundreds or more in repairs.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[Sharps45120]

Same answer here. It takes an hour at most to drain and winterize everything. Make sure you also drain the hot water tank or you will have a mess. We've had 2 winters of major SUB ZERO temps here in the Mid Atlantic region. It isn't even remotely worth it to not winterize.

As my husband likes to say, don't trip over a dollar to pick up a dime.

[PaulK]

Same question, but in Louisiana. I'm thinking of storing it near Hammond. Do RVers out there winterize? There seem to be a couple of nights a year slightly below zero.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by PaulK

Same question, but in Louisiana. I'm thinking of storing it near Hammond. Do RVers out there winterize? There seem to be a couple of nights a year slightly below zero.

Not the same area,but since you ask yes ,Winterize also! Youroo!!

[Flybob]

Originally Posted by lbrjet

Don't even think about not winterizing. 12 bucks and one hour vs hundreds or more in repairs.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

X3

[jcw]

Thank you for the replies. The only reason I thought about not winterizing is an irrational fear of not flushing the lines of antifreeze enough come Spring.

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by jcw

Thank you for the replies. The only reason I thought about not winterizing is an irrational fear of not flushing the lines of antifreeze enough come Spring.

Just run all your lines until they are clear and you should be fine. I believe the AF is non-toxic so even if there is a microscopic amount still in there it shouldn't hurt you.

[RSchleder]

If you live where you get weather in the "teens" you need to winterize. The past 2 winters in Texas have not been very nice and during our last two winter trips, we had pipes in our motorhome freeze ( our class B did not have heated tanks and pluming lines are outside/under the Van). You really don't want to take the chance as broken/leaking pipes as they can be very expensive to repair. Ask me how I know .

[willingtonpaul]

if you don't want to use the pink RV/marine antifreeze, you can use 80 proof vodka. it has a freezing point of just under -15 F. i learned this trick from a sailboat owner i know; he did it every year for many years. i did not want to fill the residential fridge with pink, and deal with the foaming and whatnot. so i used vodka last year for the first time, and we had an epic cold winter. did not have any issues at all. it took about $50 of vodka to get it done, bought an off brand in plastic 1.5 liter bottles, but worked great. will never go back to pink. still put pink in the traps and some for the holding tanks to be against the valve seal, and remember of course to put some compressed air through the black tank flush to keep anything from cracking in those lines. but vodka is the only way for me now.

the 80 proof stuff is not strong enough to kill bacteria or germs in the water lines; 100 proof would be on the edge of that. but 100 proof vodka is more expensive. also thought about using grain alcohol, the 151 proof stuff, but worried about that strong a concentration not being good for the rubber seals in the faucets. want to try to test that at some point.

[MarsMan]

Originally Posted by willingtonpaul

if you don't want to use the pink RV/marine antifreeze, you can use 80 proof vodka. it has a freezing point of just under -15 F. i learned this trick from a sailboat owner i know; he did it every year for many years. i did not want to fill the residential fridge with pink, and deal with the foaming and whatnot. so i used vodka last year for the first time, and we had an epic cold winter. did not have any issues at all. it took about $50 of vodka to get it done, bought an off brand in plastic 1.5 liter bottles, but worked great. will never go back to pink. still put pink in the traps and some for the holding tanks to be against the valve seal, and remember of course to put some compressed air through the black tank flush to keep anything from cracking in those lines. but vodka is the only way for me now.

the 80 proof stuff is not strong enough to kill bacteria or germs in the water lines; 100 proof would be on the edge of that. but 100 proof vodka is more expensive. also thought about using grain alcohol, the 151 proof stuff, but worried about that strong a concentration not being good for the rubber seals in the faucets. want to try to test that at some point.

LOVE this idea. We have a local "shine" supplier. May try this. We are planning to head to warmer climates in Jan and need to protect the rig until we get south of the Mason Dixon... Then when it is time to use the lines I will partially fill a bottle w Orange Juice and turn on the pump to have my cocktail

We plan to blow out the lines, drain the FW and HW tanks, and pink the drains. until we get into warmer climates. All of our lines (except drains ) are inside the rig. Once we start rolling the heat will be on and we should be good to charge the lines and fill the FW and HW tanks.

[Coach 350]

Originally Posted by Happy Vibe

I'm not sure I would want to do that. If you do not plan on using it for the whole winter I would just get it winterized. It will probably be cheaper than trying to keep it heated over the winter and you will not have to worry about running out of propane or if an ice storm comes and knocks out your power.

Good advice! $16.00 worth of RV antifreeze is a lot cheaper

[mark0224]

Wouldn't think twice on this, pump $60,pipes, toilet $150, water heater($ 200 to 400), taps( all$120), drain pipes, tanks ( all$ 300 to 400) all could be damage and I'm sure I have forgot something to mention. A lot of money in repairman's fee also, this could cost as much a $2000 dollars not to mention heating costs. WINTERIZE is the answer. If you use during this time it doesn't take that much time to open up and do it again when your done.

[WFD]

It blows my mind when people "consider" winterizing. It really takes very little time, and the cost is next to nothing. Instead people are willing to risk broken pipes, fixtures, etc. And when talking water, when you find out something has suffered a break, it usually results in a mess and then there is the possibility the break is in a place that is hard to access or you don't even realize till there is water running everywhere. Not worth the risk! If you are in any area that drops below freezing, and that's the vast majority of us, just protect your investment and winterize it! That way if your area gets a freak storm or cold snap, and that happens more and more, you can rest assured you are protected.