Good morning the wife wants to plan a trip this Christmas and I am kind of hesitant due to the weather. In particular the freezing temps overnight. We currently only travel in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, The Carolinas and Louisiana. So when she told me she wanted to go to Pigeon Forge, Gatlingburg, Nashville and Memphis I was concerned. Being a born and raised S. Floridian i am not currently prepared for travel in areas that could or will go below the freezing point. I guess my question is would i have to do something special to ensure my plumbing is not compromised? I saw Antifreeze for the plumbing system but i would assume that would only be used to winterize the coach not for use while traveling as it would render the water useless correct? Will leaving all the faucets cracked open at night prevent a line rupture? Sewer lines will freeze? Black and Gray Water tanks? Any help and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.CubanRedneck

Didn't Florida get freezing temps last year? Depends on the coach, which you haven't identified. My coach has basement heaters to prevent any problems in the lower half, heaters and a furnace to protect the upper half, and double paned windows to keep the cold out. Give us some info on your coach and you'll get better answers. That said, a simple light bulb, 60-100 watt left in your sewer compartment will generate enough heat to keep your pipes toasty. If it's freezing temps at night bring in your water hose and use the water pump. Only bring out the sewer hose when you're needing to dump. Daytime temps everything is back to normal....Remember, a happy wife makes for a happy life....:W.....Dennis

we have camped in 10 degree weather with no problems. Fill the onboard water tank, unhook the water hose from the RV and dump tanks when you have water that is not frozen. Our bays are heated, if yours are not, you can use a light bulb as Executive said. Make sure you have plenty of propane for the heater. Make sure you ask the campground if the water will be on. Many campgrounds either close in the winter or turn the water off. Be prepared to stay as long as necessary so you can leave when there is no snow or ice on the roads. That area is very popular during the holidays. Reservations may be necessary. We like River Plantation in Sevierville as home base.

We are Floridians currently in the N. Ga. mountains. We've never camped in our MH in freezing weather and didn't know it was going to get this cold when we came a week ago. It's been in the middle 20s at night and maybe up to 50 during the day, but some days it hasn't gone above 40 or so. We've done fine. We also have a basement heater, dual pane windows, and heater and furnace inside. DH decided to not disconnect water hose during the night, but left a slight drip in the sink. My guess would be to see what kind of weather those places have during the day. We currently have sun during the day that helps warm things up a bit, and as mentioned, it isn't freezing during the daytime temps.

Executive wrote:Didn't Florida get freezing temps last year? Depends on the coach, which you haven't identified. My coach has basement heaters to prevent any problems in the lower half, heaters and a furnace to protect the upper half, and double paned windows to keep the cold out. Give us some info on your coach and you'll get better answers. That said, a simple light bulb, 60-100 watt left in your sewer compartment will generate enough heat to keep your pipes toasty. If it's freezing temps at night bring in your water hose and use the water pump. Only bring out the sewer hose when you're needing to dump. Daytime temps everything is back to normal....Remember, a happy wife makes for a happy life....:W.....DennisIm sorry Dennis I own a 2007 Itasca Sunova 35j. I wouldnt know if the basement is heated as ive only fired the furnace a couple of times to make sure it works in the years ive owned the coach. My water tank is under the bed in side the coach black and gray are under the coach. Windows are single pane. Thanks for the light bulb idea.cubanredneck

We always leave Florida in the Winter to travel north and west to colder climates. Tennessee will not get so cold, for an extended period of time to cause any major problems. Forget about hooking up to shore water if the temps are going to get below freezing. Just keep your fresh water tank close to full and use it for your water needs. If it is going to get below freezing for any length, a 100 watt bulb in a garage trouble light and left in your wet basement compartment will keep things flowing. Don't hook up your sewer line until you are ready to dump the tanks. Enjoy the area and worry more about keeping yourself warm than the coach freezing. An electric blanket might be helpful.

Traveling in cold weather | Good Sam Community

Norm___Deb
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
Or, you could just winterize the RV with pink stuff in the lines, and use bottled water to drink, and pink stuff to flush the toilet.
pugslyyy
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
With the single pane windows you are going to get quite a lot of condensation on the inside glass - just something to be prepared for.

It's always good to leave a roof vent open part ways so that the moisture will have a way out.

If you are in the habit of turning your water heat off during the night you might want to leave it on when it is really cold.

If you are concerned about the black/grey tanks just dump some of the pink antifreeze in there - it's cheap insurance and might be worth it for the peace of mind.
Cubanredneck
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
sdianel wrote:
we have camped in 10 degree weather with no problems. Fill the onboard water tank, unhook the water hose from the RV and dump tanks when you have water that is not frozen. Our bays are heated, if yours are not, you can use a light bulb as Executive said. Make sure you have plenty of propane for the heater. Make sure you ask the campground if the water will be on. Many campgrounds either close in the winter or turn the water off. Be prepared to stay as long as necessary so you can leave when there is no snow or ice on the roads. That area is very popular during the holidays. Reservations may be necessary. We like River Plantation in Sevierville as home base.

Thanks SDIANEL, we currently have reservations at Bear Cove and this will be our base for 3 night. Then we will be stopping in Nashville for 2 nights and Memphis for 2 nights. According to my wife the campground will have water. thanks for the light bulb trick will the light bulb be enough to keep the black and gray tanks from icing over or will i have to use some sort of antifreeze.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Nov 04, 2014
We always leave Florida in the Winter to travel north and west to colder climates. Tennessee will not get so cold, for an extended period of time to cause any major problems.
Forget about hooking up to shore water if the temps are going to get below freezing. Just keep your fresh water tank close to full and use it for your water needs.
If it is going to get below freezing for any length, a 100 watt bulb in a garage trouble light and left in your wet basement compartment will keep things flowing.
Don't hook up your sewer line until you are ready to dump the tanks.
Enjoy the area and worry more about keeping yourself warm than the coach freezing. An electric blanket might be helpful.
Cubanredneck
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
Executive wrote:
Didn't Florida get freezing temps last year? Depends on the coach, which you haven't identified. My coach has basement heaters to prevent any problems in the lower half, heaters and a furnace to protect the upper half, and double paned windows to keep the cold out. Give us some info on your coach and you'll get better answers. That said, a simple light bulb, 60-100 watt left in your sewer compartment will generate enough heat to keep your pipes toasty. If it's freezing temps at night bring in your water hose and use the water pump. Only bring out the sewer hose when you're needing to dump. Daytime temps everything is back to normal....

Remember, a happy wife makes for a happy life....:W.....Dennis

Im sorry Dennis I own a 2007 Itasca Sunova 35j. I wouldnt know if the basement is heated as ive only fired the furnace a couple of times to make sure it works in the years ive owned the coach. My water tank is under the bed in side the coach black and gray are under the coach. Windows are single pane. Thanks for the light bulb idea.

cubanredneck
Dance_Chick
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
We are Floridians currently in the N. Ga. mountains. We've never camped in our MH in freezing weather and didn't know it was going to get this cold when we came a week ago. It's been in the middle 20s at night and maybe up to 50 during the day, but some days it hasn't gone above 40 or so. We've done fine. We also have a basement heater, dual pane windows, and heater and furnace inside. DH decided to not disconnect water hose during the night, but left a slight drip in the sink. My guess would be to see what kind of weather those places have during the day. We currently have sun during the day that helps warm things up a bit, and as mentioned, it isn't freezing during the daytime temps.
sdianel_-acct_c
Explorer
Nov 04, 2014
we have camped in 10 degree weather with no problems. Fill the onboard water tank, unhook the water hose from the RV and dump tanks when you have water that is not frozen. Our bays are heated, if yours are not, you can use a light bulb as Executive said. Make sure you have plenty of propane for the heater. Make sure you ask the campground if the water will be on. Many campgrounds either close in the winter or turn the water off. Be prepared to stay as long as necessary so you can leave when there is no snow or ice on the roads. That area is very popular during the holidays. Reservations may be necessary. We like River Plantation in Sevierville as home base.
Executive45
Explorer III
Nov 04, 2014
Didn't Florida get freezing temps last year? Depends on the coach, which you haven't identified. My coach has basement heaters to prevent any problems in the lower half, heaters and a furnace to protect the upper half, and double paned windows to keep the cold out. Give us some info on your coach and you'll get better answers. That said, a simple light bulb, 60-100 watt left in your sewer compartment will generate enough heat to keep your pipes toasty. If it's freezing temps at night bring in your water hose and use the water pump. Only bring out the sewer hose when you're needing to dump. Daytime temps everything is back to normal....

Remember, a happy wife makes for a happy life....:W.....Dennis

Forum Discussion

Traveling in cold weather

About Motorhome Group

Related Content

Cold Weather Camping

Cold Weather Camping - plumbing

Diesels in cold weather

Cold Weather RVing

Cold weather and diesel advice