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eldee's avatar
eldee
Explorer
Nov 23, 2014

Question about traveling in freezing weather

Heading out Tuesday morning for the last camp out of the season! Going to Mark Twain National Forest for a five night stay, bringing family and 4 wheelers, going to be a blast! Question here is this: Fiver is not winterized. We are leaving Tuesday morning with a morning low about 20. Fiver is in my heated shop, so when we head out all water lines will be warm, but as we travel it MAY eventually get into freezing temps inside, till we get to high into the low 40s later in the day. Can I just leave my furnace running while I travel? Is this a recipe for disaster? Considered blowing all water lines out with air and dumping antifreeze into traps, but have no way of repeating this process for the return trip home. This trip should take about 4 or 5 hours total, with an all season camper maybe I'm worrying about nothing? Any and all thoughts/ advice welcome here. Thanks in advance, Larry
  • C-Bears's avatar
    C-Bears
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2014
    When you pull out of your heated shop with temperatures in the 20's to begin your trip I would have the furnace set on 50 or 55 degrees. About an hour down the road pull into a rest area and check to make sure furnace is up and running. With 20 degree temps and actual windshield temp will cool FW down pretty quickly. As soon as it gets in the low 30's and the sun is staying out you could probably turn furnace off.

    We experience this almost every year because we head for Florida late. I have always run my furnace this way but I do make more frequent stops to check on it.
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Nov 24, 2014
    rattleNsmoke wrote:
    I wouldn't worry about it. you aren't going to be in that deep of a freeze for that long while traveling.


    I agree running heater is a waste of propane for me. It sounds as though daytime temps will be above freezing. Things are not going to freeze solid in a couple of hours.
  • army_guy1's avatar
    army_guy1
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2014
    I've traveled with heater on in cold area's. Set the thermostats to 50. It does suck up a lot of propane when driving so be prepared. I've also left Nebraska when temps in the 20's heading south with out the heater on and didn't have any issues with the water lines. It really depends on how well you bottom is insulated. Have a great trip.
  • SDcampowneroper's avatar
    SDcampowneroper
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2014
    in my experience slides covering vents is a good thing, as it concentrates more heat into the floor where our water systems are. However, restriction of intake, output is critical. Look closely at your rig , listen to your furnace for any change in operation when you close the slides. There is likely plenty of room for circulation under the slides and furnace return.
  • 4x4FF's avatar
    4x4FF
    Explorer
    Nov 24, 2014
    I'm asking a not so new 'newb' here so no disrespect intended but can you really run the furnace while traveling as long as the vents aren't covered?? In my case the floor vents would be okay but I think one of my slides coveres the 'intake' in the wall.

    Steve
  • glazier's avatar
    glazier
    Explorer II
    Nov 24, 2014
    SDcampowneroperator wrote:
    run your furnace. been doing it for over 30 years.


    That's what I would do if traveling in cold conditions too, really the best option. One concern I guess would be the slides covering the floor registers, is that an issue?
  • rattleNsmoke's avatar
    rattleNsmoke
    Explorer
    Nov 23, 2014
    I wouldn't worry about it. you aren't going to be in that deep of a freeze for that long while traveling.

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