The next few days the temp is going to drop to between 15-25 degrees overnight and mid to high 40's during the day. I'm wondering if I should plug in a space heater and set it at 55 degrees to keep the pipes from freezing. I haven't winterized the trailer nor will I have time before the freeze starts (normally we only see temps in the mid 30's.I have no shore power where it is stored so I would be depending on my 2 6 volt batteries plus a single solar panel system to handle the load from Thursday to Tuesday. Do you think would be ok?

Hi,Are you talking an electric space heater? If so, all all you will end up with is a set of extremely dead batteries.I'd set the propane furnace as low as it goes, if I were not prepared to winterize.

Yeah I was considering a electric heater.So the furnace will use less power than the space heater?

if you don't have shore power there is no way in haddes you can run an electric space heater. and if you think two 6 v's will power the furnace for 4 days then you are again wishing for a miracle. You should have winterized long before now. I suggest you run it for one night and get it winterized tomorrow with out fail or you will need to replumbe the TT next spring.

It doesn't take more then 30 minutes to winterize, if I where you I would squeeze a half hour into my schedule.

Hi Eyetattoo,Yes, the furnace draws at most 9 amps, and produces 30,000 btu's. A 1500 watt heater may draw 150 amps, and produces about 5120 btu's.I have 875 amp-hours of battery bank. That means I could run a 1500 watt space heater for perhaps 2.5 hours, before I hit 50% state of charge. Eyetattoo wrote:Yeah I was considering a electric heater.So the furnace will use less power than the space heater?

Space heater while in storage? | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

Eyetattoo
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
Went to go pick it up today and noticed two roof vents damaged, decided to leave it there stored indoors until I return to town next week. Dont need any water damage to the roof during this snow storm.....
fly-boy
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
Just drain your tanks and open your facets. Nothing is going to break in those temps- especially when it is warming into the 40's during the day.
You are worrying about nothing.
Doughboy12
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013
Eyetattoo wrote:
Doughboy12 wrote:
Wait...you said that it is at the RV shop?
For God's sake HAVE THEM DO IT!!!
No, do not keep 5 gal in the tanks, and yes, it is called RV antifreeze.
Good point! I will call them this afternoon. Dont know why I didnt just think of that, lol.

Finally...I have actually helped someone with my "comments"...mark the calendar...lol.
Eyetattoo
Explorer
Dec 04, 2013
Doughboy12 wrote:
Wait...you said that it is at the RV shop?
For God's sake HAVE THEM DO IT!!!
No, do not keep 5 gal in the tanks, and yes, it is called RV antifreeze.
Good point! I will call them this afternoon. Dont know why I didnt just think of that, lol.
Dirtclods
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2013
A space heater will not prevent your holding tanks or water lines from freezing.
Doughboy12
Explorer
Dec 04, 2013
Wait...you said that it is at the RV shop?
For God's sake HAVE THEM DO IT!!!
No, do not keep 5 gal in the tanks, and yes, it is called RV antifreeze.
mockturtle
Explorer II
Dec 04, 2013
You should drain the holding tanks and, of course, the water heater, before winterizing. There are plenty of advice threads and web sites with step-by-step winterization process. It's really your only option other than driving it somewhere warm.
Eyetattoo
Explorer
Dec 04, 2013
Thanks for all the replies, I will be picking up the trailer tomorrow afternoon from the RV shop. I will just make sure I drain the water lines after I park it. For the antifreeze in the traps can I use any antifreeze or is there a special kind? Also is it safe to keep the 5 gallons or so that is in each holding tank?
soonernation
Explorer
Dec 04, 2013
Last winter, when I knew the temps were going to drop below freezing, I drained the water lines and the water heater.

Typically we don't see extended periods of freezing temps here.

I'll be going tonight to do just this as a cold front is moving through and temps will drop to the upper 20's this weekend.
John___Angela
Explorer
Dec 04, 2013
Hmm. I don't know. Set the furnace at 45 degrees and I would be surprised if the batteries didn't last 4 days. Batteries don't last long with furnaces when trying to keep it at 70 degrees but set the temp down to 45 and I think it would probably make it. Warm the unit up to about 80 degrees before you leave and then set the temp to 45. The furnace won't even come on for the first 10 12 hours. I had to do something like this with our little C once. All went well. Plug it into the truck when pre-heating it. Or just winterize it. :)

JMHO.