To Winterize or Not?

[sclod]

I live (and store my 2014 FR Solera) in Tucson, Arizona. Very few days get below freezing and many days are warm and perfect for RVing. I don't want to winterize if I don't have to because I would like to be able to jump in the RV at a moment's notice. I have winterized in the past, but here's what I'm thinking of doing this year: Any time the weather forecast is for 36 degrees or below, I will turn on the propane furnace (set to 40 degrees) and open the interior cabinet doors under the sinks. (If it matters to your responses, I do not have electrical service at the storage yard.) Do you think this will work? If so, what do you think I should do about the hot water heater? Keep it hot? Or drain it? Or keep it full and don't worry about it?

How about the fresh water tank? Empty, partially full or completely full? Any other thoughts or ideas? Thanks for your help.

Steve

[Still Kickin]

Recommend you search this forum, this topic has been discussed in detail. You will find your information there.

[5picker]

This has been discussed in great detail.

Several things...
1. If your unit is at a storage yard and you are going to have to run there to turn the furnace on when it gets cold, that's pretty inconvenient unless the storage yard is across the street.

2. If you have no way of plugging your unit in, the furnace is a huge drain on the battery.
It could drain the battery dead in a couple of nights.

3. Why worry at 36º? I don't get too concerned unless we have at least 10-12 hours of 28º. Just because it goes to freezing doesn't mean it instantly freezes inside your camper.

[Willbur]

My buddy lives in Vegas and all he does is drain hot water tank,open all faucets,parks on a slight upgrade and opens his low point drains till empty then puts a cup or two of AF in traps.

[sclod]

Thanks to all of you. Some thoughts:

Still Kickin: Maybe my research skills need upgrading. I found a lot of information on winterizing but not on my questions.

5picker: The storage yard is close (and I can drive my golf cart to it!). Yes, I'm concerned about battery drain but in the two nights I've done this so far, it hasn't been a problem. I take the RV out for a drive at least every two weeks for recharging (and other purposes). I picked 36 degrees simply to be safe in case the forecasters were wrong. I'm glad to hear that you don't worry about it unless you have 10-12 hours of 28 degrees. Makes me feel safer.

Willbur: I like your buddy's ideas. Do you have any idea what he does about his fresh water tank?

[Taranwanderer]

Drain the FW and HWH, use a blow out plug to run compressed air (30psi) through all your plumbing, (faucets, toilet, shower head, outdoor shower,) and put AF in your drain traps. That way, if you want to go at a moments notice, you don't have any AF to flush out of your plumbing. Don't run the furnace, bad idea IMHO.

[Bluepill]

FWIW, I mix my (-50 degree) anti freeze 50/50 with water, which gives a low temperature rating of -9. That's a lot lower than we see here in Florida.

[jughrad]

I just drain the water system and tanks then blow out the valves/lines with 25psi compressed air and fill the p-traps with antifreeze until our deep freeze months. It really only takes about 15 minutes to give a peace of mind. This allows me to easily camp through December in the Pacific Northwest. I do a full on antifreeze treatment after Christmas and drain/sanitize in Spring but you won't have to do that in Arizona.

[Jim in Halifax]

Why are "WE" trying to save a few pennies for a $15,000 RV?????? Cheap or not?

[sclod]

Originally Posted by Jim in Halifax

Why are "WE" trying to save a few pennies for a $15,000 RV?????? Cheap or not?

Not trying to save a few pennies. Trying to make it easy to pick up and go on a moment's notice.

[mike.t]

Was getting prepared for my 1st Winterization.Bought the anti freeze/pump kit ect then found out there is no hot water heater bypass valves. Blew the lines out and as mentioned pour some anti freeze in the traps and now hoping for the best.

[W5CI]

If you don't disconnect your battery it will go dead in a couple of weeks without power to recharge it. I would just park it and not worry if i was in that area.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by mike.t

Was getting prepared for my 1st Winterization.Bought the anti freeze/pump kit ect then found out there is no hot water heater bypass valves. Blew the lines out and as mentioned pour some anti freeze in the traps and now hoping for the best.

Can you plumb some in?

[mike.t]

5picker. Access is about 18" long and about 10" high. Looking at a couple of Camco bypass kits but will wait till spring. Hoping.

[Mrs.Kay]

Originally Posted by W5CI

If you don't disconnect your battery it will go dead in a couple of weeks without power to recharge it. I would just park it and not worry if i was in that area.

x1
We live at 3,000ft. in California. Get some snow, not much, several nights of below freezing, never done a thing and have never winterized. Never drained the water heater or worried about the holding tanks. Never had a problem.
I think we would do it if we had several weeks of freezing weather.
We can hop in and camp any time of year. Very lucky.
Love where we live!

[mike.t]

I bet you make some great cookies

[Mrs.Kay]

oh ya..... and nothing like great cookies after burgers and cold beer

[mike.t]