Leaky Plumbing & Winter Living Prep Questions

RedRider16 wrote:
I figured I would knock out my questions in one topic rather posting multiple threads.

So I have a 86 Terry by Fleetwood that I just started living in a couple of months back since my housing plans fell through when I moved back to my home state and I figured I would live in it through the winter as well since its cheaper than renting a apartment for $1300 a month when all I pay is $280 so I figured I would save the money.

So my shower pan drain is leaking at the drain, Can I just remove the drain and silicone the seal and re-install the drain cover?

Any tips from keeping my water lines from freezing?

My furnace is down for now due to a rats nest but I'll be removing it to fully clean it out but is it alright to run the furnace 24/7 when I re-install it? (Its a Terralab Engineers Inc. Furnace) is there a electric alternative that I can attach to the furnace or replace it to help reduce space heaters and tripping breakers?

I will also be skirting and insulating underneath my camper too and insulating most of my windows and vents.

Any other Tips and Tricks I should know about?
Thank You for any help possible.

I've never winter camped, so can only offer suggestions that I've read on various RV fora in the past almost 17 years.

Skirting: Yes, it's a great idea. Run a cord from your pedestal and put 1 or 2 100w incandescent bulbs underneath for heat.

Interior heat: Since your furnace is down, use 1 or 2 of the oil-filled radiator type heaters. May have to run them on a lower setting to keep from tripping breakers. If it's the pedestal breakers tripping, may need to contact the park to have them replaced. If it's your internal breakers, may need to replace them, as they do weaken after several trips. Open your under-sink cabinets to allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing. That area can be a "cold sink" and can contribute to plumbing freezing. If you have heat ducts in the basement, run the furnace fan on low to keep air circulating into the basement to keep pipes from freezing.

Exterior heat: May need to use heat tape on the pedestal and a heated hose. May also need heat tape around the dump valves if they're exposed. If needed, fill the onboard fresh water tank and run off the pump. Disconnect the hose, drain it and store it in the basement. When it warms up, refill the onboard water tank.

Furnace: Once you get it working, think about renting a 100 lb propane tank from a local service. Will save you a lot of schlepping 30 lb tanks around. You'll be lucky to get 2 days of constant furnace out of a 30 lb tank. If you're in a park, the propane truck will likely be there at least once a week, running a scheduled route.

Hope these help.

Lyle