Cold Weather Gas Tank Additive

Dtaylor wrote:
Gas has a freezing point of somewhere around -80 degrees. It may gel a little before that but cannot recall exactly where

This is true but in the old days when Gasoline was, in fact, gasoline, moisture (Water) would often condense inside the tank, or it might get in via other ways (I do have a story about that), and since gasoline is less dense than water it would pool in the low spots in your fuel line and eventually freeze and block the line.

Alcohol is a solvent, among other things it dissolves WATER. Taking it into a solution which does not freeze and which can then be passed on to the cylinder, burned and exhausted.

So back in the 70s (for example) Standard/Amoco (not BP) put gas line antifreeze in the tank (HEET brand in fact per one source) and I had to help a person or two by suggesting same in their tank (I burned Standard/Amoco)

Alcohol was added at around 1 pint per 15-20 gallons (that is around 1 percent,

Today they put in 10 percent so you need add nothing for cold weather.

Only need additives if storing for a long time or if you want to run something like injector cleaner.

I wish you the best, BTW where are you staying? Im in Woodland Park. Do note though, Jan - Mar is the coldest temps. Some sub zero at night and mostly single digits and teens. Lots of sunny days with the cold temps. Frank

If you aren't going to be living in the motorhome, drain and winterize all the water systems so you don't have to worry about things being below freezing. But that doesn't sound like what you're planning on doing....

You want to use the fresh water tank to supply your water in the coach, and not leave the hose connected up in sub-freezing temperatures. Leaving the hose connected (when no water is flowing) will make for frozen water in the hose and the campground spigot, giving you no water and your campground a broken plumbing system.

The fresh water tank is in some above-freezing place in the motorhome, or has a heater like the other tanks. In my motorhome (not a Thor Challenger) it's underneath the queen bed, along with the freshwater pump.

It would be wise to enquire about the best way to get propane at the campground. There are a few approaches, and what is most practical and economical will vary from place to place.

I echo what nomad_289 said. Do lots of research and reading on cold-weather camping. I'm no expert myself; I barely know enough to realize that I am largely clueless.

OK time is near now for us heading into Colorado. I thank all for the gas tank info posted.
Now the question is about the fresh water tank and other sub freezing weather concerns anyone has to share.
Our Thor Challenger has heated grey and black water compartments so we should be OK there but plan on leaving the sink cabinet doors open to help keep the warm air around the inside plumbing.
We will be in camp so stationary till Spring. I believe draining the fresh water tank is highly advisable to avoid any freezing and problems there. Any other experienced advice?

Gas has a freezing point of somewhere around -80 degrees. It may gel a little before that but cannot recall exactly where

The only thing you NEED to add is gas. Fill the tank before you set up at the campsite. A partially full tank will aid in creating condensation, especially in springtime weather changes.
Art.

For gasoline there are basically 3 additives

Seafoam is currently considered the best and it what I put in my tanks.
(NOTE: This is not a cold weather it is a "long time between refills" additive.

Sta-Bil used to be considered very good but,, Well, I have heard disturbing reports from other forum members.. This too is a Long Time between refill additive.

Finally there is Alcohol, sold as Gas line Antifreeze.. NOT NEEDED today since they put it in at several times the concentration needed, at the refinery.

(Anti-freeze levels would be E-1 or E-2,, At the factory they put in E-10. so you no longer need to buy it.)

True stories on request.

PopS wrote:
We will be going into Colorado late Dec and staying till May. we will be parked in a RV Park from Jan to March

In the movie "No country for old men" the girl was worried that she couldn't pay her bills. The Hit Man responded: "I wouldn't worry about it" (since she was unlikely to live).

I wouldn't worry about additive, as Colorado cold will likely kill you. Seriously, do some research on cold weather camping before you commit to Colo!

Well you don't need to put anything in the gas tank except the gas nozzle. It's gas, it will burn even if your not in Texas.....
Been running chop saws and generators on gas for the last few months and it's 25 below zero right now, on gas that was delivered last April. No availability of fresh gas until January yet. Good thing is all gas in AK is ethanol free!
Ethanol gas which is pretty much all you can get is already like adding heet to the tank to control water.
If you're talking about parking it for 3 months and not burning the gas, it will still be fine, but a can of Seafoam, Lucas, Stabil or similar will help preserve the old fuel.

All good feedback thanks. Yes the plan is we will be parked in a RV Park from Jan to March