Expectations?

laurajean · 02-10-2016, 11:44 AM

I am relatively new to camping. We plan a trip to Savannah this weekend but on Sat the temp is going down to 27. My 29 XLR is factory and not winterized option. What should I worry about or need to do to make sure we are relatvely warm and pipes don't freeze.
Thanks John

WolfWhistle · 02-10-2016, 11:58 AM

The furnace might run a lot but you won't freeze. If its cold enough and you have full hookups just turn on a tap with grey open. If no hookups connect shower to FW tank and turn that tap on to a trickle back into FW tank. Or, if allowed turn on a trickle from the shower to the ground... if on CG water but no hookups. Where are you camping. I was just at Skidaway and its nice
WW

laurajean · 02-10-2016, 12:04 PM

Thanks. I think I saw you awhile back going eastbound on 10. You have 29xlr, right?

WolfWhistle · 02-10-2016, 12:08 PM

I do. I was on I-10 the last time taking it to Campers Inn just east if Jax a couple if months ago.

WolfWhistle · 02-10-2016, 12:09 PM

My 29 is an early 2015 & Gray but without the newer graphics.

laurajean · 02-10-2016, 12:16 PM

It probably was....have you ever considered heating blankets? They seem to use 50 watts at 50% power. Not sure the amp drawer?

WolfWhistle · 02-10-2016, 02:01 PM

I can sleep better when I'm cooler... Just don't like 50° during the daytime.

50w at 120vac is very, very little.. Around 4 tenths of an amp.

Kels4g · 02-10-2016, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurajean

I am relatively new to camping. We plan a trip to Savannah this weekend but on Sat the temp is going down to 27. My 29 XLR is factory and not winterized option. What should I worry about or need to do to make sure we are relatvely warm and pipes don't freeze.
Thanks John

Will you be connected to hookups or boondocking? If you have hook ups, grab an electric space heater. At 27, you won't freeze but you will use a decent amount of propane.

When our temps dip below freezing, it's generally only a few hours. So our options are fill your tanks (it will take a long time to freeze 30+ gallons of water) or empty them completely. We generally just open the gray valve and leave water dripping.

Our piping (and hot water heater, water pump) is above the floor (so it's inside) and we keep it heated inside to about 65-70 with two tiny space heaters.

laurajean · 02-10-2016, 02:23 PM

Ok, sounds good. How much amp draw for the electric space heater? Similar to a/c?

laurajean · 02-10-2016, 02:25 PM

I was going to drain the lines the only night it was going in the 20's.

laurajean · 02-10-2016, 02:26 PM

If I drain the lines under the camper, will it also drain the water heater, probably not, it's only the cold lines hanging low, right?

Kels4g · 02-10-2016, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laurajean

Ok, sounds good. How much amp draw for the electric space heater? Similar to a/c?

I have no idea

I think they are 1000watts each but I don't really understand all that stuff.

We have a 30 amp trailer and we run two of them. If we plug them into outlets that are on the same breaker, they will cause the breaker to trip. BUt, if we use outlets that are on a separate breaker- there's no problem.

stevejd235 · 02-10-2016, 03:00 PM

Laurajean,
Just a few comments.

#1 - If the temps are only going to be in the high 20's for 4-5 hours, you should not have freezing pipes. Remember, the water in the pipes are going to hold the temps from the day time temps for a bit as well. So, it will take a few hours for the water to even try to freeze.

#2 - If your site has AC and Water hookup. You can use the "dripping" tap suggestion and some space heaters.

#3 - You should have a blue and red low point drain near your front steps and your FW drain on the other side of the camper. You can drain your lines via these if you are really worried about the lines freezing.

These are just suggestions, so please take what ever steps you feel comfortable with... :-)

Play Harder · 02-10-2016, 11:18 PM

I don't think freezing going to be an issue if your camping in unit

But staying warm might be 😁Hopefully you will be hooked up to AC at your campsite/ them just buy 1 -2 AC heaters at any Walmart - Home Depot - ect - if you get cold easy - you will be thankful for the AC Heaters

If no AC hookups then - I would remove front cover on furnace like other have to get more heat out of the furnace- and close off garage

oldgold · 02-11-2016, 05:10 PM

We camped in single digits over night with a high of 35 the next day. We simply filled up the fresh water tank and camped as normal. Didn't have any issues. I did have an electric heater going to help supplement the propane.

AquaMan · 02-11-2016, 05:22 PM

I don't worry about my camper when the temps dip down into the mid/upper 20's overnight, even when I'm not camping. Now if it's going to be like that for a couple days, then I'll take measures, but if daytime highs are 40-50, I don't worry.

laurajean · 02-12-2016, 07:06 AM

Thanks for all the comments. Luckily the forecast doesn't show Sanannah as cold as it did earlier. I will get a small space heater to supplement the furnace.
I think I have a project this year to insulate the floor and pipes for a little added protection.

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laurajean · 02-15-2016, 10:32 PM

Thanks for the comments. We just came back and only one night went to 30 degrees. The furnace ran well but the need for a small space heater was a great suggestion, the back of the camper was cold. One thing that I was surprised was the sweating or moisture that was observed. The walls cannot be that well insulated. I will have to continue to use trays of cat litter and damp rid to keep mold away when stored.
Thanks John

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AquaMan · 02-16-2016, 06:23 AM

Cracking a vent or window will help reduce the amount of condensation formed inside.

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