Opinion on winterizing this wknd

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by Reverse_snowbird

If you could get your hands on a space heater, that would help take some of the strain off the propane. Blankets over windows might help a bit.

If you've used 1/3 of the tank in two days, it's definitely not going to last til Tuesday and the roads might be iced over by then. Last time we tried camping in freezing weather, the electricity kept cutting out, the campground waterlines froze and we couldn't get the temp above 50. You might want to consider dipping into your emergency fund and head for a motel as awellis3 suggested and we did.

We've stayed in sub-zero temperatures in Golden CO in a 3-season TT (i.e., not designed for winter camping) and it was a real challenge. Without tank heaters and skirting, I had to create my own tank heaters with heat tape and aluminized insulation covering the gray and black-water tanks. I added heat tape wrapping to the drain lines and the water lines inside. The fresh water tank and pump/filter were under the bed, so a light bulb kept that from freezing. We covered all of the windows with blankets and the floor with throw rugs. The heater ran non-stop until the temperatures moderated (about a week). We ran through about half of a 100# bottle of gas (we had 2 - 20#, 2 - 40# and 1 - 100# bottles of gas since we were full-timing as we moved between jobs). The temperature inside the trailer never got above 62 degrees. We just toughed it out. If we ever have to live in these conditions again it will be in a properly insulated four-season RV.

[si camper]

Thought I'd post a follow up on our experience and outcome of being in this Winter storm. What I originally thought would be a few days ended up being a week. As of this morning we are back to FHU and everything seems good. Water flowing and no discernable leaks.

One mistake I made was not winterizing my holding tanks and they froze. Normally my tanks stay empty through the Winter after I winterize and I just didn't think. I bought a flusher with a hose attachment to put on the end of my dump. Back filled water to the tanks, let it sit for a while, dump and repeat. After several attempts I thawed a path inside the tanks. The black tank didn't completely empty but its functionable again. I'll finish flushing later.

We survived the experience and learned. We only lost power a few times for 4 or 5 hrs at a time. Our hearts and prayers go to those that are suffering much worse as a result of this storm.

[muttinthehut]

Dodged a bullet last weekend when the temps dipped down into the mid/lower 20s here in AL. Woke up to a frozen hose, water filter, and pressure regulator while we were camping. The temp dipped below freezing for about 5-6 hours during the night and I knew the risk was there, but just forgot to remove the hose.

Lesson learned and fortunately everything returned to normal after the thaw, but can certainly see how a single night of a hard freeze could do some significant damage if you don't winterize properly. Or at minimum drain off all the water.

[Ron Bell]

Several of us were volunteering at a church camp when the low temps were forecast. My wife and I were going to the Dallas area for the weekend, so I winterized our TT with Prestone RV "-100 degree" antifreeze, including pouring about 1/2 gallon into the black and gray tanks.

Others continued to live in their TTs and FWs. The problem came when the "rolling blackouts" started and the onboard batteries could not keep up with the electric furnace blower motors Pretty soon trailers started freezing up; no electricity to charge batteries or run the propane heaters. This resulted in frozen lines and some damage, including toilet valves and washing machines. Several had only drained their lines utilizing low point drains before the cold. Any water remaining in valves or shower heads (and outside showers) was frozen. Water tanks that were filled when hoses were disconnected froze as well as waste water in the black and gray tanks.

We we returned to ours I had two interesting issues. First, the black and gray tank valves were frozen shut, even with the RV antifreeze in the tanks. They eventually thawed out and seem ok. The other was that although it was undiluted, the Prestone RV antifreeze I left in the toilet bowl to maintain the seal was lightly frozen on top and slushy. I don't know what to make of that, maybe it just won't freeze completely until -100 degrees?

In the future, under the same circumstances, I would winterize but leave the tank valves open.

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by Ron Bell

Several of us were volunteering at a church camp when the low temps were forecast. My wife and I were going to the Dallas area for the weekend, so I winterized our TT with Prestone RV "-100 degree" antifreeze, including pouring about 1/2 gallon into the black and gray tanks.

Others continued to live in their TTs and FWs. The problem came when the "rolling blackouts" started and the onboard batteries could not keep up with the electric furnace blower motors Pretty soon trailers started freezing up; no electricity to charge batteries or run the propane heaters. This resulted in frozen lines and some damage, including toilet valves and washing machines. Several had only drained their lines utilizing low point drains before the cold. Any water remaining in valves or shower heads (and outside showers) was frozen. Water tanks that were filled when hoses were disconnected froze as well as waste water in the black and gray tanks.

We we returned to ours I had two interesting issues. First, the black and gray tank valves were frozen shut, even with the RV antifreeze in the tanks. They eventually thawed out and seem ok. The other was that although it was undiluted, the Prestone RV antifreeze I left in the toilet bowl to maintain the seal was lightly frozen on top and slushy. I don't know what to make of that, maybe it just won't freeze completely until -100 degrees?

In the future, under the same circumstances, I would winterize but leave the tank valves open.

First off, RV Antifreeze doesn't stay liquid subjected to freezing temps. It turns to slush as you saw but doesn't expand to break pipes/parts like water does when frozen.


As for batteries not keeping up with furnace due to rolling blackouts, this makes a HUGE argument for everyone, regardless of boondocking or staying in parks with full hookups, to carry at least a small generator. Doesn't have to be big enough to run the A/C, just enough to run the converter.

For just battery charging Home Depot sells a "Sportsman" Inverter Generator that is rated for 1,000 watts peak and 800 watts running (my 60 amp Converter only draws 700 watts at full load charging two Lithium batteries). Price is only $199 and would be perfect for keeping batteries charged.

As illustrated by your post, it pays to be prepared to boondock even if that isn't your preferred mode of camping.

We recently had a widespread power outage at my house. The generator sitting on the back bumper of my trailer provided enough power to run my furnace, refrigerator, microwave, and even keep my internet and TV going.

Made my neighbors extremely jealous

[campers302]

[QUOTE=TitanMike;2506820]First off, RV Antifreeze doesn't stay liquid subjected to freezing temps. It turns to slush as you saw but doesn't expand to break pipes/parts like water does when frozen.


As for batteries not keeping up with furnace due to rolling blackouts, this makes a HUGE argument for everyone, regardless of boondocking or staying in parks with full hookups, to carry at least a small generator. Doesn't have to be big enough to run the A/C, just enough to run the converter.

For just battery charging Home Depot sells a "Sportsman" Inverter Generator that is rated for 1,000 watts peak and 800 watts running (my 60 amp Converter only draws 700 watts at full load charging two Lithium batteries). Price is only $199 and would be perfect for keeping batteries charged.

As illustrated by your post, it pays to be prepared to boondock even if that isn't your preferred mode of camping.

We recently had a widespread power outage at my house. The generator sitting on the back bumper of my trailer provided enough power to run my furnace, refrigerator, microwave, and even keep my internet and TV going.


How did you connect the gen to the home?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by campers302

How did you connect the gen to the home?

I have a generator transfer switch in my homes.

[campers302]

Originally Posted by bikendan

I have a generator transfer switch in my homes.

Thanks