Fall/Winter Camping

[GoDano]

First time Rv Camper owner. We plan to camp during the fall and early part of winter. Question, what can we do to keep pipes from freezing/cracking…if temperature Reach 32 degrees or below?

Thanks in advance.

[Kimber45]

to many factors to know for sure. Your unit? does it have an enclosed underbelly with ducts? do you live in Michigan or Georgia? If temps are well above freezing during the day and only below a few hours at night you are probably safe. Any time below freezing is a recipe for damage. I would ditch a watere hose and run off fresh tank.

[GoDano]

I have a 2021 FR Surveyor Legend, under the ‘construction’ it states : Underbelly: Lami-Plast™m All Weather
Protection Fully Heated & Enclosed
We live in NC.
Thx!

[Freebird2020]

Run furnace, not fireplace when below 32 degrees. This will force warm air into underbelly.

Below 25 degrees will probably be trial and error.

Run tank heaters if you have them. Leave grey tank valves open and let a little water trickle out of faucets.

Try to find any exposed water lines and insulate them.

Take a dehumidifier to reduce interior sweating.

Post same question in the surveyor forum. People who have this camper might have first hand knowledge of how this brand survives cold weather.

[itat]

You said you live in NC. Do you get below freezing in early winter very much where you’ll be camping? I suspect you’ll be fine if you use the propane furnace which will push heat into the underbelly. Use the freshwater tank (regardless of whether you have a full service site) and keep the tank at least half full. If you have electric service you could bring a dehumidifier. We keep a fan blowing to move the inside air and prevent condensation. And keep the cabinet doors open to allow heat into the cabinets.

Forest River does not make a true 4-seasons camper to my knowledge but you’ll probably be fine to a little under 32 degrees.

Have fun!

[Gidyupgo]

Welcome to the site GoDano. We are in Midwest Georgia, but have visited Denver a few times in late October with it in the teens at night. Everything above is great advice. All our plumbing that is not above the floor line is in two compartments, that get ducted heat from the furnace. Great, except after three very cold days, we ran out of propane. We picked up 750w heaters for each of the two bays. They didn't have t-stats so we found this thermo controlled plug and use them. These two are on a separate cord that we plug into the pole, since our RV is 30amp. We then use a larger electric heater inside the coach. Also put wireless thermometers in those bays so we could see what was going on. You'll be fine. Enjoy!

HEATIT ET-21 Freeze... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074HVYDV1...p_mob_ap_share

AMIR Indoor Outdoor Thermometer,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JGRBZBB...p_mob_ap_share

[NJKris]

Type 'freezing pipes' into search window. That will keep you busy for awhile and answer all your questions.

[rracer5]

If your water supply hose is not insulated, disconnect it when temp. drops below 30, drain it out & re-connect it. Use water from your FW tank until morning when temps. rise then go turn the spigot back on. If you insulate the hose with pipe insulation you should be good to about 25 degrees if only for a few hours. But, it's just as easy for peace of mind to just drain it & turn it back on in the morning.