Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-26-2012, 08:47 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Roswell-N-Marcia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 13
Winterization/Re-winterization

Well.....after three weeks of late spring weather - the bug hit and we made our first trip of the season (Mid March in Virginia) was pretty great trip....other than a little rain. However - we unwinterized our trailer and had a great time....now they're calling for a potential low of 33 tomorrow night. So much typing for the simple question...should I re-winterize or should I be okay? Any suggestions?

Thanks to all.
__________________
I'm just the driver
She's the boss
He's the assistant

Our Shih Tzus are the crew.
Roswell-N-Marcia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2012, 08:49 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Old car's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: south Kansas City area
Posts: 1,298
You should be fine for one night and at that temp. If it is going to be long term and colder than you might need to take precaution.
__________________

Randy and Patty
2015 Sabre 33 CKTS-6 Platinum Edition
Reese 16K Slider hitch
2015 GMC Sierra 3500HD diesel dually
Old car is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2012, 09:02 AM   #3
Moderator Emeritus
 
MtnGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
We took an early March trip to South Carolina, and I blew the lines out again, put some RV antifreeze down the drain, and drained the hot water tank, and made sure both waste tanks and those lines were drained. I turn on a small electric heater in the camper during cold nites, and will again tonite.

We did not use the fresh water tank on our March trip.
__________________

Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
MtnGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2012, 09:27 AM   #4
Site Team - Lou
 
Herk7769's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
Yep, we had an overnight low of 28 last night (for about 2 hours) and camper made it just fine. Takes a while for it to freeze water unless there is a very strong wind chill as well.

If a cold snap is predicted (for a few days) I plan on putting an electric heater in and opening all cabinets that access the basement area.

If we go back into the deep freeze in the forecast, I will suck it up and blow out the lines.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Herk7769 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2012, 09:57 AM   #5
Steve Jackson
 
sideout1961's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Holyoke, Ma
Posts: 382
I live up here in western mass. It's suppose to get down to 18 tonight. We took delivery on a new trailer(our first) and the dealer de-winterized it already. Can I just put the heat on tonight or should I put anti-freeze back in?
__________________
2011 Dodge Ram 5.7 HEMI
2011 Flagstaff Classic 29bhss
sideout1961 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2012, 10:04 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
jtstromsburg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Stromsburg, Nebraska
Posts: 1,682
For reference on the benefits of a small heater, after winterizing in early November, I left an oil filled radiator looking heater on med in the camper. Didn't think I'd leave it all winter because of costs, but didn't see any extra power usage on my house meter. Even on the nights in the single digits, the inside of the camper stayed well above 40! So I think opening cabinets and turning a heater on is a great idea.
Joel
__________________
Joel and Teresa
2016 Sabre 34TBOK
2006 GMC 3500 CC LB DRW 4X4
jtstromsburg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2012, 10:07 AM   #7
Steve Jackson
 
sideout1961's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Holyoke, Ma
Posts: 382
Thanks Joel
__________________
2011 Dodge Ram 5.7 HEMI
2011 Flagstaff Classic 29bhss
sideout1961 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2012, 10:11 AM   #8
Moderator Emeritus
 
MtnGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
Quote:
Originally Posted by sideout1961 View Post
I live up here in western mass. It's suppose to get down to 18 tonight. We took delivery on a new trailer(our first) and the dealer de-winterized it already. Can I just put the heat on tonight or should I put anti-freeze back in?


If you have a trailer with an enclosed underbelly and the furnace ducts come through the floor, run the furnace over nite. Leave all cabinet doors open.

The other problems would be anything hanging below the enclosed underbelly. Make sure there is nothing in the waste discharge valves. The low point drains need to be protected. Hang a light bulb from those somehow.
__________________

Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
MtnGuy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2012, 10:17 AM   #9
Steve Jackson
 
sideout1961's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Holyoke, Ma
Posts: 382
Thanks mtnguy, I do have the enclosed underbelly so I will take your suggestion.
__________________
2011 Dodge Ram 5.7 HEMI
2011 Flagstaff Classic 29bhss
sideout1961 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-28-2012, 10:57 AM   #10
Junior Member
 
Roswell-N-Marcia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Charlottesville, VA
Posts: 13
Well....Thanks everyone! Seems it hit a low of only 30 last night - but I set the thermostat to 50 and opened the cupboards. Hooked the hose up this morning and tested the lines....no runs, no drips, no headaches!!!! Looks good for the next 10 days and we should be fine after that.....if you see us at a VA campground....stop by - the first beers on me!
__________________
I'm just the driver
She's the boss
He's the assistant

Our Shih Tzus are the crew.
Roswell-N-Marcia is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
winterize

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:21 AM.