Probably a stupid question on freezing temps

[wardster]

My camper is several hours away. They are calling temps to be between 27 and 32 degrees for roughly 4 hours. My tanks are not full, but there is water in the lines. Is it almost guaranteed my lines will burst?

[Iwritecode]

The only guarantees in life are death and taxes. Not necessarily in that order either...

You *might* be OK if it's only for a couple of hours. The water won't freeze instantly. But then again, when is the weatherman ever accurate?

It's really hard to say either way.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by wardster

My camper is several hours away. They are calling temps to be between 27 and 32 degrees for roughly 4 hours. My tanks are not full, but there is water in the lines. Is it almost guaranteed my lines will burst?

Likely no.

Things do not freeze the instant it gets to 32º. It can take many hours.

An example, lets say your camper sat in some sun today and the inside temp got to 45º... it will take hours even at 32º outside before the inside gets to freezing.

But lets play devils advocate... you say it's only to get 27-32º for 4 hours.
What if they are wrong and it is 24 hours?

With that said... if there is any possibility you could visit and turn on the furnace or run an electric heater, it would be good insurance. Better yet, winterize it.

[wardster]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

The only guarantees in life are death and taxes. Not necessarily in that order either...

You *might* be OK if it's only for a couple of hours. The water won't freeze instantly. But then again, when is the weatherman ever accurate?

It's really hard to say either way.

Very true. Could stay a bit warmer but can always get colder. I guess I will see. It's very rare we see temps this low and I had planned on being up there before now.

Thanks! Fingers crossed!

[Iwannacamp]

It won't hurt the PEX tubing, but the fittings and tank valves could be of issue if it gets ??20 deg??? and stays there. YMMV

[njfishing]

I think you'll be fine if it's only for 4 hours...

One thing I always do after every trip, even if its warm, I open up the drain lines and all the spigots to drain the water out of the system... I'd rather not have that water stagnating in the pipes... And if it were to get cold, what little water you have left in the system, even if it froze would have room to expand be less likely to break anything...

[bikendan]

Living in Florida, I doubt that you have anything to worry about.
I never winterized my Roo when I lived in NorCal.

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by njfishing

I think you'll be fine if it's only for 4 hours...

One thing I always do after every trip, even if its warm, I open up the drain lines and all the spigots to drain the water out of the system... I'd rather not have that water stagnating in the pipes... And if it were to get cold, what little water you have left in the system, even if it froze would have room to expand be less likely to break anything...

Except for the toilet flush valve, 1/2 teaspoon of water in the valve can crack it.

[njfishing]

Originally Posted by Scrapper

Except for the toilet flush valve, 1/2 teaspoon of water in the valve can crack it.

I blow that out for the winter... I do however wonder if the lower drains were open and you press the foot switch, would it drain out like the spigots??

[5picker]

Originally Posted by njfishing

I blow that out for the winter... I do however wonder if the lower drains were open and you press the foot switch, would it drain out like the spigots??

Maybe, I've experienced water in the bowl ring and supply line to trickle back down into the valve once closed, especially if you don't use compressed air to blow out... and even then sometimes. I wouldn't trust it.

[njfishing]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Maybe, I've experienced water in the bowl ring and supply line to trickle back down into the valve once closed, especially if you don't use compressed air to blow out... and even then sometimes. I wouldn't trust it.

Yeah - I use compressed air to blow it out but you're prolly right Picker, no sense taking chances...

[CampingGator]

Jacksonville weather service says it may be below freezing for 4 to 8 hours. I don’t know where your rig is located, but we never winterize and have never had a problem in Gainesville area.

[CampingGator]

Originally Posted by 5picker

Likely no.

Things do not freeze the instant it gets to 32º. It can take many hours.

An example, lets say your camper sat in some sun today and the inside temp got to 45º... it will take hours even at 32º outside before the inside gets to freezing.

But lets play devils advocate... you say it's only to get 27-32º for 4 hours.
What if they are wrong and it is 24 hours?

With that said... if there is any possibility you could visit and turn on the furnace or run an electric heater, it would be good insurance. Better yet, winterize it.

I have never seen it stay below freezing for 24 hours in Florida. It rarely stays below freezing beyond eight or nine in the morning. To have a high in the forties is very unusual. Usually the high is in the fifties, even in January and February.

[wardster]

Originally Posted by CampingGator

I have never seen it stay below freezing for 24 hours in Florida. It rarely stays below freezing beyond eight or nine in the morning. To have a high in the forties is very unusual. Usually the high is in the fifties, even in January and February.

Thanks. She's is just North of you in Valdosta.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by CampingGator

I have never seen it stay below freezing for 24 hours in Florida. It rarely stays below freezing beyond eight or nine in the morning. To have a high in the forties is very unusual. Usually the high is in the fifties, even in January and February.

I spent Dec/Jan/Feb in Orlando for Navy boot camp in 1970-71, and I can tell you - it got below 32 degrees for more than 24 hrs. Maybe not these days, if global warming is reality....

[kirkwilliams2049]

Winterizing is not an arduous task. I prefer to be on the safe side. The alternative is very inconvenient and expensive

[SlowrideHD]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

I spent Dec/Jan/Feb in Orlando for Navy boot camp in 1970-71, and I can tell you - it got below 32 degrees for more than 24 hrs. Maybe not these days, if global warming is reality....

To answer the OP question...I wouldn't give it a second thought. Very unlikely to have low enough temps for long enough to freeze anything.

I was also in Navy RTC in Orlando, right after you. Yep, it got cold out on that grinder in Jan-Feb waiting on breakfast before daylight. Company 024, barracks close to the fence and highway.

[brandon 2]

If you are not using it I would winterize the system. I do not trust weather forecasts any more either. For the cost of some RV anti freeze and a bit of time its not worth taking the chance when one factors in the costs and hassels of repair and potential damage to your investment. We have seen ice on orange groves in Florida before and right now Texas is in the midst of a blizzard and black ice on their roads.
Even in Canada here to-day its just at freezing.


Brandon2
2014 Sun Seeker.

[n0ms]

I would call a local mobil RV repair outfit and have it winterized. Good luck.

[A32Deuce]

I remember a January in Ocala at the Silver Springs Car show and it snowed! It was darn cold that whole weekend! I was glad I was showing the car that has heat!