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Old 09-28-2017, 06:58 AM   #1
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Winter camping...

Anyone have any pointers for camping in early winter. There is a campground near me, otter lake that has no water hook up but sewer is available. I have a 2706WS we just picked up. How do people handle using the fresh water tanks in the freezing temps. I know the tanks have heat pads and i guess you just keep your heat on to keep the water lines from freezing. Do you just winterize at the campground before pulling out? Do people just not use the fresh water tank? Would like to pull off a winter trip but dont wanna break anything in the process. Thanks all[emoji473]
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Old 09-28-2017, 07:06 AM   #2
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We winter camped at Assateague National Seashore last March and the temps got into the mid teens. Our outlet black and grey valves froze but the fw tank was fine. We have a generator and ran the heat. We ran the tank heaters when the generator was running. We have the 2703WS and the enclosed underbelly seemed to do the trick.

All in all it was a great trip.

Marty
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Old 09-28-2017, 07:07 AM   #3
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Thanks for the response Marty
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Old 09-28-2017, 07:08 AM   #4
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How did you deal with the frozen valves, where they your dump valves for the tanks?
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Old 09-28-2017, 07:22 AM   #5
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If I winter camp, I do not dewinterize the plumbing. Ill dump 1 gallon of antifreeze each down into the black and grey tanks and use bottled water inside the camper. If it's REALLY cold, I wont even use the waste tanks, I'll use the campground facilities.
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Old 09-28-2017, 07:48 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by timfromma View Post
If I winter camp, I do not dewinterize the plumbing. Ill dump 1 gallon of antifreeze each down into the black and grey tanks and use bottled water inside the camper. If it's REALLY cold, I wont even use the waste tanks, I'll use the campground facilities.
What he said!

Lou- we need more information- how cold do you expect it to get?
How many days are you planning to stay?
How many people- adults and/or kids.

Our kids are grown and gone so no kiddies to worry about.
We have 2 different size blue jugs for drinking water. Some folks just bring
a case of bottled water but we have a charcoal filter on our kitchen sink
at home and we fill a blue 3 or 5 gallon tote for free and bring that.
The places we typically visit in cold weather have either a heated rest room or decent vault toilets that are reasonably maintained.
We can pee in the RV potty and rinse with a splash of water from a
milk jug that's sitting nearby- usually it sits in the shower.
If frozen dump valves are a worry put some antifreeze down the drains
as mentioned but in extreme cases I have been known to drain the little
that's in the tank into a bucket and then poured that down the potty at
the toilet. This is rare but I've done it.

Something else to consider- get some flannel sheets! They are wonderful
to crawl into when it's crispy outside. Use a down comforter or an opened
down sleeping bag on the bed. An RV furnace is a battery hog and a LP
gas hog. Turn down the heat at night and snuggle with your flannel!

In the morning we love to have coffee perked with an old fashioned stove
top percolator. Then we fire up the oven to cook biscuits or sweet rolls and
that helps take the chill off the inside of the trailer. We might let the furnace run just a bit while we're having breakfast.

Talking about this is making me want to go do it!!
Enjoy your new rig!

Happy Trails!
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Old 09-28-2017, 07:51 AM   #7
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Thanks Kydan, just 2 adults 2 kids, the poconos in pa i would say are in the 30 during the day and maybe 20s at night, i wouldnt go much past december where is was to far below freezing. Thanks for the tips
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Old 09-28-2017, 07:58 AM   #8
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Thanks Kydan, just 2 adults 2 kids, the poconos in pa i would say are in the 30 during the day and maybe 20s at night, i wouldnt go much past december where is was to far below freezing. Thanks for the tips
A lot depends on the facilities or lack of at your camp ground.
Paper plates and carefully planned meals can cut way down on dish
washing and the water that's needed for that as well as water that needs
to be disposed of.

We have been known to heat water in the coffee pot during breakfast or
supper and use that in a plastic dish pan do to the few dishes. I -might-
even pour that dishwater down the potty at the CG. I never go camping without
my bucket!

IF the CG has electric - get an electric heater!! Save the LP.
Some rigs have electric fireplaces. When I saw one of those the first
time I thought "that is soooo stupid- having a fireplace in an RV".
Boy was I wrong. We now have one and use it all the time to heat
the inside. Love it!! IF you don't have one a basic 700-1400 watt
heater will do the job. Just be careful where you sit it and don't leave
it on when you're not there.

You'll figure it out! Enjoy!!
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Old 09-28-2017, 08:00 AM   #9
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Thanks again
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Old 10-01-2017, 01:41 PM   #10
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How did you deal with the frozen valves, where they your dump valves for the tanks?
I drove home with full tanks until they thawed later in the day. In hind site I could have used a small portable propane torch to thaw them out. Maybe next time!

Marty
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Old 10-01-2017, 05:34 PM   #11
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I drove home with full tanks until they thawed later in the day. In hind site I could have used a small portable propane torch to thaw them out. Maybe next time!

Marty
Man, I'd be VERY careful using a propane torch around "plastic" valves and tanks!
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Old 10-01-2017, 05:37 PM   #12
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Next time either pour antifreeze down there or use the campground facilities. I agree with rockfordroo that a blowtorch is a bad idea.
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Old 10-01-2017, 05:50 PM   #13
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Man, I'd be VERY careful using a propane torch around "plastic" valves and tanks!
Great idea. Come on........

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Old 10-02-2017, 08:18 PM   #14
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Please reconsider using a torch around your black tank valve. Lots of methane there creates a serious explosion hazard.
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Old 10-04-2017, 01:29 PM   #15
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Please reconsider using a torch around your black tank valve. Lots of methane there creates a serious explosion hazard.
Oh. Well, this is a first. So, with this in mind, in RV parks where the sewage drain is literally feet from another site and their fire ring, that is an explosion hazard? I have honestly never heard this warning before.

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Old 10-04-2017, 05:39 PM   #16
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This is all great info. We just purchased a 2780WS because we are leaving sunny Southern California in June and relocating to Spokane Wa and will be living in our fifth wheel for most likely 6-9 months which means we’ll be in it through the winter. It’ll be our first winter in snow and first winter in a rv in the snow.
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Old 10-04-2017, 09:27 PM   #17
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Oh. Well, this is a first. So, with this in mind, in RV parks where the sewage drain is literally feet from another site and their fire ring, that is an explosion hazard? I have honestly never heard this warning before.

Marty
I see another warning sticker appearing on my next trailer now...
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Old 10-04-2017, 09:39 PM   #18
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I drove home with full tanks until they thawed later in the day. In hind site I could have used a small portable propane torch to thaw them out. Maybe next time!

Marty
I'd go with a hair dryer or a dual setting heat gun...not propane torch...too easy to overheat and damage the valve.
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Old 11-04-2017, 08:25 AM   #19
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We are currently camping in Oregon with our TT at an empty site with full hook-up. Last night temp was in the low 20s and snow. Only issue so far is a frozen water hose from outlet to trailer. Only small amounts of water this morning until the hose thaws. I guess I should unhook the hose tonight and allow the water to drain, then hook it up in the morning. Any other ideas, thoughts, concerns?
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Old 11-04-2017, 08:46 AM   #20
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All I have to say is im soooo jealous I wanna go camping !!!!
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