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kemer's avatar
kemer
Explorer
Oct 23, 2020

Winterize of Not

Getting ready to head south next week. Having a cold snap here in MN. Temps in the 30s in the day, but down to about 27 at night. Generally I wouldn't winterize for just a day or two when temps stay about 25 but the forecast tonight is for a low of 18!!! I'm wondering if I should winterize for the overnight. The fresh tank is about 3/4 full. Haven't run water thru lines since I last drained. Thought of putting some space heaters in the unit and cranking internal temp up overnight. Would prob drain hot water heater regardless....

Thanks

5 Replies

  • Yup. I use my trailer all year round, so rather than winterizing, I just leave the furnace at 55 and leave the water heater on. I usually leave the water heater on propane, and it rarely fires back up, since it holds heat really well. This allows me to run a space heater for primary heat (I'm only plugged into 15 amp at home), then the furnace only kicks on when it's really cold.

    If I have the cover on, the space heater alone is enough to keep the trailer from freezing, and I have a nightlight I place in burner compartment of the water heater.
  • Run the furnace especially if it heats your basements, as ours does.
  • If you run the furnace and water heater...probably nothing to worry about.

    Otherwise at 18F, it's time to winterize. That's cold enough for long enough that things will freeze without some source of heat.
  • I'm in the same boat and will be heading for Florida Tuesday. It's supposed to get down to low 20s tonight. I have not winterized but will heat interior. My water tank is inside but water heater is exposed to the outside. Tanks would take a long time to freeze but plumbing is the main issue. Will use an electric heater aimed toward water heater. I camped last winter in New Mexico for a couple of days with similar temps and had no problems.