Hi! This will be our first winter in Mooresville, NC with our 5th wheel. Coming from Syracuse, NY, it would be just about time to winterize if we were still up North. I was wondering if winterization was still needed down here. I know the winter isn't bad down here and I am not sure of how long the season for using the fifth wheel is so I'm uncertain as to whether or not we could use it in the winter. Any help/advice would be appreciated.Thank you!

Can cost big bucks to not winterize.

Based on this, I'd say you were good to go until about January: Click hereI lived very near Morganton, NC many years ago, for 2 years. Temperatures never got below freezing either of those 2 years.

Below freezing temps are what I use to determine when to winterize, check monthly averages if you are winterizing in a new area. Looking at Syracuse weather it would be pretty early to winterize for us, all the way through October and midway into November average low temps do not breach freezing according to Accuweather. No doubt winterizing in NC will come later than NY. I would keep close watch on local NC weather starting near the middle of December, with weather being somewhat freakish last few years monthly averages may not reflect earlier than anticipated weather patterns. We empty our tanks within a few weeks of actual winterization anyway, keeps us from getting caught off guard from a freak winter storm.

Do as others have said, and keep an eye on the longer term forecast. I'd go out and buy the RV antifreeze to have on hand, in case a cold snap sneaks up on you.

Just blow out your water lines and pour some pink stuff in the traps.It's quick and simple. Then you don't have to be concerned with dropping temps and can do it after every trip during colder weather.

Winterize or Not | Good Sam Community

Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Sep 18, 2019
Dave H M wrote:
holy moley Mickey, mine takes 2 gal. :h

My lines take about a gallon and a half. Another gallon+ fills the p-traps. The final gallon is dumped into the black tank so that it doesn't sit dry for the 7-8 months our rig is not in use.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Sep 18, 2019
holy moley Mickey, mine takes 2 gal. :h
Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Sep 17, 2019
teegee1025 wrote:
Thank you all. We will winterize at the end of October. Now....our storage place up in Syracuse used to do this for us. Hoping it is an easy process. Google here I come!!! :)

The ease often depends on the rig, but it's not hard at all. Takes me 20 minutes and 4 gallons of antifreeze.
sayoung
Explorer
Sep 17, 2019
I get tickled on all the rv forums I visit talking winterizing cause it's gonna be 97 here today . Also get a good laugh over on the Kubota tractor board, all the northern folks hooking up the snow blowers. Not makeing fun because I have been in the cold climates a few times it's just funny to me how early you must prepare. We don't even give an early morning frost a thought until usually mid November.
teegee1025
Explorer
Sep 17, 2019
Thank you all. We will winterize at the end of October. Now....our storage place up in Syracuse used to do this for us. Hoping it is an easy process. Google here I come!!! :)
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Sep 14, 2019
so if you don't winterize and get caught with your pants down, who is to blame? ;)
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Sep 10, 2019
sayoung wrote:
gbopp wrote:
Just blow out your water lines and pour some pink stuff in the traps.
It's quick and simple. Then you don't have to be concerned with dropping temps and can do it after every trip during colder weather.

I will add open the faucets while blowing out & drain the water heater also. I open the low points, blow out, drain water heater , anti freeze in traps. But, I keep my heat on about 50 and it very seldom gets into the teens here.

Completely agree!

I didn't think about the "P" traps first time!
Mickeyfan0805
Explorer
Sep 10, 2019
Do you have quick and ready access to the rig? If you can get out in the case of a surprise cold snap, then you could wait and watch. If there is any chance you might not be able to get to it during the winter, however, I wouldn't risk it! THe relatively small investment of time and money is a cheap insurance policy.
rsgs
Explorer
Sep 10, 2019
I never listen to the weather report when fall comes around. I have two fifth wheels in different locations. At the first of September, I blow out lines, drain the hot water tank, and add red pop to the traps. This way I know if something unforeseen comes up and I don't get back to either one for a month or two, it's taken care of and I don't have to worry. It's ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry and it only takes a few minutes.
Campinghoss
Explorer II
Sep 10, 2019
The weather can change overnight. Since you are closer to the mountains than I am I would definitely winterize. Running the rv antifreeze is not costly nor difficult but replacing plumbing is a hassle. While looking at the average temp or historical temps is a good start it still does not count for the extreme changes NC can see. I keep my fiver under a shelter and it is a four season. I run antifreeze thru mine each year.

Just my two cents.

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