We will be going from FL to Chicago in mid-January. I expect the trip to take 3 days. We are in a Class A 2012 Fleetwood Expedition. I've been told that our furnace will not be able to avoid our pipes from freezing and that my Water/Black/Grey tanks will all freeze so we have to winterize when we leave Florida. We can survive without water but getting up to use the bathroom outside in freezing weather defeats the point of owning a self-sufficient motor home. Does anyone have any tips to allow us to continue using the bathroom or is this just the way it works. Thanks in advance to any cold weather advice you may have.

I would winterize unit. Then flush toilet with rv antireeze and some water.use bottled water for drinking. If you use sinks , pour antifreeze in sink afterwards. Just what I would do. Good luck

Looked up ur unit. Can't believe u don't have heated basement. Who told u the plumbing would freeze.

We used our previous coach in temps down -4 deg.F without any significant freeze ups. We haven't had our current coach in weather quite that cold yet, but 9-10 deg.F didn't cause any problems. Our two furnaces kept us warm enough, and the heat duct into the black/grey tank and pump area kept that area at above freezing temps. Our fresh tank is under the bed, so that wasn't an issue either.

MICKANDMICHELE wrote:We will be going from FL to Chicago in mid-January...My first question would be, "Why?"Rob

Thanks for the reply. Fleetwood told me that I would have problems driving and to winterize.

Cold Weather RVing | Good Sam Community

28 Replies

MICKANDMICHELE
Explorer
Oct 13, 2016
2gypsies wrote:
Do you have a place to park in Chicago mid-January? I would think RV parks would be closed. If you're visiting someone I would suggest leaving the RV south and driving your towed vehicle for the visit.

Going home. Spending X-mas with family in Florida. Sadly can't stay all winter . :)
2gypsies1
Explorer III
Oct 13, 2016
Do you have a place to park in Chicago mid-January? I would think RV parks would be closed. If you're visiting someone I would suggest leaving the RV south and driving your towed vehicle for the visit.
Tinstar
Explorer
Oct 13, 2016
If your basement isn't heated, heat it. Put small ceramic heaters down there to keep it above 32. A few hundred watts is all it would take I would think.
MICKANDMICHELE
Explorer
Oct 13, 2016
Thanks for the reply. Fleetwood told me that I would have problems driving and to winterize.
Second_Chance
Explorer II
Oct 13, 2016
MICKANDMICHELE wrote:
We will be going from FL to Chicago in mid-January...

My first question would be, "Why?"

Rob
Dutch_12078
Explorer III
Oct 13, 2016
We used our previous coach in temps down -4 deg.F without any significant freeze ups. We haven't had our current coach in weather quite that cold yet, but 9-10 deg.F didn't cause any problems. Our two furnaces kept us warm enough, and the heat duct into the black/grey tank and pump area kept that area at above freezing temps. Our fresh tank is under the bed, so that wasn't an issue either.
njtony
Explorer
Oct 13, 2016
Looked up ur unit. Can't believe u don't have heated basement. Who told u the plumbing would freeze.
njtony
Explorer
Oct 13, 2016
I would winterize unit. Then flush toilet with rv antireeze and some water.use bottled water for drinking. If you use sinks , pour antifreeze in sink afterwards. Just what I would do. Good luck

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Cold Weather RVing

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