The specs for our Durango state insulated and heated underbelly. Does this mean that it is just heated when we run the furnace, and does it have any bearing on winterizing? Do we need to do more than empty the holding tanks and blow out the lines? We are taking it to Florida in mid January, and will stop at year round CGS. Thanks for any input!

JMHO living in NW WY. I winterize when it drops below 10 degrees F. Are your dump valves inside the heated area with just valve handles sticking out? If not those valves will freeze quickly. On a trip from cold to warm area I winterize by blowing out lines. I use bottled water and flush toilet with antifreeze one time bottled water the next. be careful how much water you are putting in grey tank. Add antifreeze to grey tank as you add water. After a few trips you'll get more comfortable. Because of how I RV I just bow out lines. I can winterize and de-winterize in just a few minutes while on the road. I had the winterizing down to about 10 minutes in my TT but with a MH with W/D, ice maker etc. it takes up to 20 minutes now. Don't forget to remove water filter housing when winterizing quickly on the road.

Most likely it is just the furnace that heats the underbelly on the Durango. Tank heaters will have a dedicated switch to provide power even if they also have a temp control built in. Also shore power is required even if they are 12 V DC or 115V AC.Otherwise, empty the tanks, blow out the lines and add RV antifreeze to the P-traps including shower. Also, make sure you open all faucets including the outside shower faucets to fully drain the lines.

Heated and insulated tanks mean only when your furnace is operating. There is no other source of heat to that area. The insulation KZ usually uses is one sheet of tin foil so its not much but you don't need much if your furnace is running. The previous responses are good. Without the furnace running (while traveling) you be advised to winterize if its below 20. If you are running the furnace at nights while travelling, you would likely be OK if its above 20 during your journey.

Thank you, Dayle1, you most likely confirmed what I assumed. Although our winters are relatively mild here, the valves and levers to empty the holding tanks are exposed. Daytime temps often in the 40's, nightime about 32. I'm thinking we can de winterize just before leaving for FL, keep the furnace on and provide some sort of exterior heat for the valves over night. We will drive to SC the first day. We plan to watch the temp forecasts closely when the time comes. If necessary, wait until our first stop to dewinterize. This will be our first time doing this!

pennysmom09 wrote:Thank you, Dayle1, you most likely confirmed what I assumed. Although our winters are relatively mild here, the valves and levers to empty the holding tanks are exposed. Daytime temps often in the 40's, nightime about 32. I'm thinking we can de winterize just before leaving for FL, keep the furnace on and provide some sort of exterior heat for the valves over night. We will drive to SC the first day. We plan to watch the temp forecasts closely when the time comes. If necessary, wait until our first stop to dewinterize. This will be our first time doing this!The valves can freeze shut making it hard to dump. Using the rv antifreeze to flush the toilet worked for us in the TT.

Insulated and heated underbelly? | Good Sam Community

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WyoTraveler
Explorer
Oct 07, 2013
JMHO living in NW WY. I winterize when it drops below 10 degrees F. Are your dump valves inside the heated area with just valve handles sticking out? If not those valves will freeze quickly. On a trip from cold to warm area I winterize by blowing out lines. I use bottled water and flush toilet with antifreeze one time bottled water the next. be careful how much water you are putting in grey tank. Add antifreeze to grey tank as you add water. After a few trips you'll get more comfortable. Because of how I RV I just bow out lines. I can winterize and de-winterize in just a few minutes while on the road. I had the winterizing down to about 10 minutes in my TT but with a MH with W/D, ice maker etc. it takes up to 20 minutes now. Don't forget to remove water filter housing when winterizing quickly on the road.

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Insulated and heated underbelly?

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