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NewRVerOH's avatar
NewRVerOH
Explorer
Aug 05, 2018

RV Winter use HELP

Hello, hoping someone can help. I am going to have to start storing my RV (Class A Fleetwood Southwind) in an unheated storage unit. My issue is we use it in the winter for tailgating football games. Previously it was stored in a heated facility so it was never an issue. My question is I need to have water etc kept warm inside the new non heated unit. Should I simply run the furnace in the RV? Is that sufficient for keeping everything warm enough? Should I put a heater in the RV for while it is sitting in storage instead. I do not want any pipes to freeze, etc but winterizing is not an option as I use it for tailgating. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

15 Replies

  • Thanks for the replies. I am trying to figure out my best options here. Is a heater for the black and gray water tanks and the fresh water tank an option that can be added aftermarket. I will be able to plug the unit in, while in storage. I even thought of leaving one or two heaters, the oil type that are sealed, in the unit while in storage instead of using the furnace, in order to keep all of the pipes and tanks warm?
  • I winterize by blowing the lines with air. When I want to use I add water and go.
  • What you need to do, and what is most economical and the least burdensome to do, really depends a lot on how your particular motorhome is set up and equipped. I'm assuming it's at least somewhat capable of winter operation since you are doing that already, and so has provisions to keep the plumbing systems from freezing when being used in the winter.

    If the motorhome is winter capable (and so has the tanks enclosed and heated, the pipes within the insulated space of the RV, etc.), then typically running the furnace ought to be sufficient. Using a space heater is often not as good as it doesn't circulate the heat to the mechanical areas of the RV as well--often there's a bit of duct from the furnace to the wet bay. Some people install fans to circulate air through the ductwork and use a space heater, or put another heater in the wet bay, or rig up some other means of keeping everything warm...what might work really depends on your RV's setup.

    Be prepared to use a fair amount of propane keeping things warm. Needless to say, running out would be a real problem. On the whole, I personally think it's preferable to winterize between uses (blowing the lines out with an air compressor rather than pumping antifreeze through them makes that somewhat more palatable to do repeatedly, though it's still a chore) or simply to avoid using the plumbing system when tailgating, but obviously it's your call.
  • Of course winterizing is an option. Carry bottles water. Put antifreeze in drain.
  • Hi,

    Winterizing is an option so long as you are prepared to redo it. My record was 7 times in one winter.

    Using propane to heat may not work unless an extra tank is hooked up.

    Are the water tank and waste tanks in enclosed heated compartments?