Am I nuts?

ryand · 02-16-2012, 12:49 PM

This weekend we plan on setting up our Coachmen TT for the first time at a mucipial park CG.....Lakeside 370 in St. Peters Mo. More than anything I want to do a Shakedown night or 2 to see if there are any real issues that may arrise. MY biggest concern is the temps. The trailer has an enclosed and insulated underbelly...I am not certain if the Furnace provides the heat to the area or if the tanks are heated with pads...but thats another issue. Anyhow I am a bit concered about water and freezing issues as the low is to be in the mid 20's. I plan to sanatize the water tank and lines (Easy Enough to do) and check for leaks while de witnerizing. The CG has full hookups so water is not really an issue. Outside of a late night bathroom run I cant see using the water system much for conventinal use as we live only 5 minuts away. I plan to winterize the system again this weeked. Am I crazy for doing this so early in the season? With the weather so oddly warm here in the Midwest I just would feel better knowing I checked everything prior to our first real trip.

MtnGuy · 02-16-2012, 01:00 PM

The furnace ducts in the enclosed underbelly should provide enough warmth to keep your tanks from freezing during cold weather in the 20s. But you also have to consider the areas outside of the enclosed underbelly. What about the low point drains, and the gray and black dump valves. A possible solution to those areas is to wrap rope lights around the dump valves and beside of the low point drains. The missus and I are planning a trip to SC. in a couple of weeks, and if the temps are going to be below freezing, that is what I plan on doing.

Dave_Monica · 02-16-2012, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryand

Anyhow I am a bit concered about water and freezing issues as the low is to be in the mid 20's. I plan to sanatize the water tank and lines (Easy Enough to do) and check for leaks while de witnerizing. The CG has full hookups so water is not really an issue.

You should have info that came with the camper to tell you if you have a heated underbelly from the furnace or tank tankers. The tank heaters are electric heated pads on the tank itself and at the valve. If it's tank heaters, there'll be a separate switch for it in the control panel.

You say that the CG is full hook-ups. I doubt that the water supply at the site will be turned on at this time of year with temps in the 20's. They may have a frost-free hydrant in the campground that you could use.

Dave

Oakman · 02-16-2012, 03:27 PM

My Wildcat has heated tanks via ambient air from the furnace and we've never had a problem with our holding tanks freezing. We've camped in temps in the 20's many times.

Be sure to call the campground to make sure they are open. When we were there late last fall they hadn't made the decision to stay open for the winter yet. Since you live so close I take it for granted you know they are open.

If the campground is open and they do have the water turned on, be sure to disconnect your water hose overnight and drain it to prevent it from freezing solid.

kjoh75 · 02-16-2012, 03:43 PM

If the water at the site does work it probably has some sort of heat source to keep it from freezing. I know in Minnesota some of the RV parks connected to the casinos are open during the winter months. They have full hook ups. People have told me they wrap their water hose from the hook up with heat tape. I have never done it myself. I don't think my tanks are heated. All my tanks are exposed and sit below the insulated underbelly of my 2005 Cherokee 27l.

Curious though if the heating pads is something that could be still added.

Dave_Monica · 02-16-2012, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjoh75

All my tanks are exposed and sit below the insulated underbelly of my 2005 Cherokee 27l.

Curious though if the heating pads is something that could be still added.

I think the heating pads can be purchased and installed. They need to be wired to a 12V source. Our previous camper had an open undercarriage and had the heating pads installed on the tanks and the dump valves...worked fine.

Here's the link to the supplier. UltraHeat, Inc. - Home

Dave

ryand · 02-16-2012, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oakman

My Wildcat has heated tanks via ambient air from the furnace and we've never had a problem with our holding tanks freezing. We've camped in temps in the 20's many times.

Be sure to call the campground to make sure they are open. When we were there late last fall they hadn't made the decision to stay open for the winter yet. Since you live so close I take it for granted you know they are open.

If the campground is open and they do have the water turned on, be sure to disconnect your water hose overnight and drain it to prevent it from freezing solid.

I talked with someone today about the details.....They are open this winter FYI. Full hook ups including the water. All water connections are Frost Free but request when not in use the hose be removed and water shut off.

Iggy · 02-16-2012, 04:13 PM

Congrats on the trailer and planned shakedown test.
If you have never done it in the cold of wither I'd suggest to campout in your driveway and see what happens. At least if the furnace breaks yu can go inside your place. Now this wouldn't work if you live in a apartment. LOL
Good luck on whatever you decide.

acadianbob · 02-16-2012, 04:13 PM

My biggest worry in cold weather is the outside shower; nothing to protect it.

Dave_Monica · 02-16-2012, 04:25 PM

Acadianbob...I see your new avatar of the nice, new truck. Your supposed to get a different color than the old one so everyone knows you've got a new one.

Dave

Dave_Monica · 02-16-2012, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryand

I talked with someone today about the details.....They are open this winter FYI. Full hook ups including the water. All water connections are Frost Free but request when not in use the hose be removed and water shut off.

Save your propane and use the electrical hook-up and portable heaters in the camper. You may even want to run an additional extension cord into the camper from the 20A service at the site post. Running a couple of 1500W heaters doesn't leave much to run anything else on your 30A power supply. I've wired up a 20A connection outside to a dedicated outlet inside for this reason.

Dave

acadianbob · 02-16-2012, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

Acadianbob...I see your new avatar of the nice, new truck. Your supposed to get a different color than the old one so everyone knows you've got a new one.

Dave

HA! I'm on a roll Dave. That's 3 Race Red F150's in a row! 2001, 2005, 2012. You're right though; most of my neighbors have no idea this is a different truck; and that is OK with me . . .

MtnGuy · 02-16-2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

Save your propane and use the electrical hook-up and portable heaters in the camper.

If you run electric heaters instead of the furnace, then your underbelly area won't be heated as well......just a little radiant heat from above. I guess a lot depends on how cold it gets. Maybe an electric heater supplemented by the furnace.

Dave_Monica · 02-16-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

If you run electric heaters instead of the furnace, then your underbelly area won't be heated as well......just a little radiant heat from above. I guess a lot depends on how cold it gets. Maybe an electric heater supplemented by the furnace.

The OP says his tanks are not enclosed and doesn't have the heatings pads either...wants to add them.

Dave

MtnGuy · 02-16-2012, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryand

The trailer has an enclosed and insulated underbelly...I am not certain if the Furnace provides the heat to the area or if the tanks are heated with pads...but thats another issue.

Dave, I read that he does have an enclosed underbelly.

If he doesn't have the floor ducts, then the furnace probably won't help him.

ryand · 02-16-2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Dave, I read that he does have an enclosed underbelly.

If he doesn't have the floor ducts, then the furnace probably won't help him.

correct.....I do have the floor Ducts. Assume the furnace heats the area. No extra switch for tank pads.

Dave_Monica · 02-16-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Dave, I read that he does have an enclosed underbelly.

If he doesn't have the floor ducts, then the furnace probably won't help him.

Oops, my bad. I got the OP mixed up with another member (Kjoh75) who also has a Cherokee back in post #5.

Dave

Oakman · 02-16-2012, 08:54 PM

FWIW, here are a couple of pictures I took at the 370 Lakeside RV Park in St. Peters, MO. I took these just a week after the park opened. If you camp here in the heat of summer, be sure your A/C is in good working order.
Since you will be going during winter, any sunlight will help warm your trailer.

Here's another shot, that's my Wildcat and grey truck.

Rebel702 · 02-17-2012, 01:11 AM

So is the gray the 2010 or is the red? Time to update the avatar?
Any fish in that pond?

caper · 02-17-2012, 02:15 AM

You should have a dehumidifier. If the temps are in the 20 you will get a lot of condensation. We have a dehumidifier running and have to empty it everyday. Keeps the windows clear and the cupboards dry. We did not have the dehumidifier last year and had a great moisture problem. At a 30 amp post you will have to be careful if you use and extra extension cord. Not all posts have 5o0 amps going to it. If you plug in the 30 amp cord for the TT and the add a second cord in the 20 amp you might blow the breaker. We also wrap the hose with heat tape and foam pipe wrap.

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