Newbie Question on Winterizing

[jkelly66]

I have a question about extreme cold conditions for an RV. It will be 9 degrees here in Georgia in a few days (never gets that cold!). My camper (2021 Palomino Solaire 217BH) was recently winterized with the pink stuff. I followed the procedure with the exception of the battery being dead, so I manually pumped the pink stuff into the camper until it came out at each fixture. My question is this: With it being soooo cold, and the chance I missed getting some water out somewhere, should I run power to the camper and leave a small space heater running in it? I know space heaters can be dangerous and they tell you not to leave them unattended, but it would be for several hours each night during this extreme cold spell. Additionally, the camper is completely covered with an expedition RV cover. Would you guys recommend taking my chances with only the pink stuff (this is the first time I’ve ever winterized an RV), or should I leave a small heater in it? Thanks in advance! Jim

[SeaDog]

I would not put a space heater in the rig. if you got pink out of all the faucets and bypassed and drained the HWT that should be good with one exception make sure the battery is charged to 100% a charged battery will not freeze but a discharged one will. JMHO

[5picker]

How did you "manually" pump the pink stuff in?

If you did not use the on-board water pump then there could still be water in the pump and the suction strainer. Depending on your procedure, you should be ok if you used the on=board pump but I don't know what "manually" means?

And as SeaDog mentions, a dead battery will freeze and likely crack. A fully charged one won't freeze until after about -50ºF

[MillMitch]

Make sure you’ve done toilet, outside shower, and dumped down all traps. I winterize w/ pink stuff in MN (-3 as I’m typing this) without issue for 4 years.

[njfishing]

I’d also pull the anode on your hot water heater out and leave it out to make sure it’s fully drained.

[Bob K4TAX]

I don't advise leaving it out. That open hole is attractive to crawling critters, bugs, mice, and the like.

Pull it, drain the tank, flush it out and reinstall the anode rod using some anti-seize compound, available at auto parts stores.

Bob

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Bob K4TAX

I don't advise leaving it out. That open hole is attractive to crawling critters, bugs, mice, and the like.

Pull it, drain the tank, flush it out and reinstall the anode rod using some anti-seize compound, available at auto parts stores.

Bob

This is good advice with a note...
Many Anti-seize compounds made for the auto industry are not for potable water and can contain toxic chemicals. Be sure to check.

With that said, I ALWAYS reinstall my anode after draining, wrapped with Teflon tape per the water heater manufacturer recommendations. I've seen wasps build nests inside water heaters where the ports were left open!

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by 5picker

This is good advice with a note...
Many Anti-seize compounds made for the auto industry are not for potable water and can contain toxic chemicals. Be sure to check.

With that said, I ALWAYS reinstall my anode after draining, wrapped with Teflon tape per the water heater manufacturer recommendations. I've seen wasps build nests inside water heaters where the ports were left open!

X2 with Teflon tape. 10 years of Anode designed water heater (Suburban vs Atwood) and never had the Anode rust in place. Snug? You betcha. But never couldn’t get it out.