Winter without winterizing

Tank heaters well only keep the tanks from icing up. And you would need to be plugged in.

You said -(Am I going to have to set the furnace on 35) that would use propane. Or are you going to leave a space heater plugged in unattended?



I totally agree with all the above commits.

I'd do it for three reason.

1. Its easier and cheaper than you think.

2. Better safe than sorry.

3. When water sits in there for several months, it gets smelly and can grow mold. The RV anti-freeze seems to keep the pipes clean during the winter.

I've seen nights going down to zero in your area.
A friend decided to not winterize, just leave the AC heat cube set for about 35.
The we got 1) a large cold storm the dropped temps below freezing and 2) a power outage.

He never has found all the small leaks in his piping.

I am in the Portland area - like yours the weather is normally not too cold but stuff happens. When I put the rig away for winter I drain the tanks (including hot water tank), flush out any water in the lines using air (lots of posts on the subject), add a bit of antifreeze in the traps. This procedure works well for me - we get the occasional warm spell during the Winter and if I want to go camping I just add some water to the FW tank and hit the road - pretty easy.

Man, I need to move to Oregon. The last 2 winters on Delmarva were brutal at times with lows in the teens and a few nights below 0. I would be concerned if you have an outside shower and if your low point drains stick out below the floor exposed to the elements.

If temps will reach the mid-upper 20's for any length of time, you need to take measures to prevent the plumbing from freezing up. If you set the furnace to say 45+-, you should be OK. Relying on an electric heater inside is a ****-shoot, as it may not provide enough heat to all areas where there is plumbing. e.g.does your TH have a rear bathroom?

Last concern is that if the RV is unattended, what happens if power goes out and the temps drop? Murphy's Law is always lurking..........


I can winterize my Cyclone in 45min. That includes the rear bathroom, washer, water heater, main bath and kitchen areas. I'd say if there's a chance of damage, it's worth the minimal effort to winterize.

If there is any chance at all that your internal plumbing could freeze I would definitely winterize it. Some of the lines might run places where an internal heater will not keep them warm. I would drain all of the tanks including the hot water tank and run plumbing antifreeze through the lines or have them blown out. Don't forget to shut the hot water tank bypass valve before you do this. I would also remove the battery as a last step and keep it charged over the winter. Plumbing antifreeze is cheap and all of this should take less than an hour which is a tiny investment in money and time compared to what ruptured lines will cost.