Toileting and the overnight stay
We will be taking our first long trip in our motor home soon. For a single overnight stay before we reach our destination, we are staying in a Wal-Mart parking lot. I have heard from others that you...
Forum Discussion
Since we are talking about a reality type show here...just have to add my 2 cents.
The answer is "it depends".
OP is UP Michigan where it gets pretty cold, don't know what type of RV they have.
Trailer/5th Wheel: If it has exposed holding tanks and no generator then I might leave the holding tanks dry till we get to warmer temperatures. It is quite possible to use antifreeze for flushing and if temps are not too cold and I left the furnace (assuming 2 batteries) set to 50 degrees, open cupboard doors near plumbing to maximize air flow to those areas...I would carry some fresh water and use all of the facilities except the hot water heater which I would leave empty. I find it a challenge to keep warm at night if the temp in the RV is below about 45 degrees.
MotorHome: (B, B+, C, or A) with a generator and the low temperatures are in the 20's the I see no reason not to use the plumbing. Our MH has tank heaters, we put a gallon of water in the black water tank and add a gallon of RV antifreeze, some deodorizer, and put 1/2 gallon of antifreeze in gray water tank. The fresh water is under the bed and we keep it 2/3 full (would take a long time to freeze that much water inside the MH when we keep the temp above 50 degrees. Empty and bypass the water heater so we don't have to worry about it freezing. We open strategic cupboard doors to maximize air flow to plumbing during the night.
We don't travel where or when temps are in the single digits so can't presume to know what steps to take in those situations.
Its up to the OP to analyze conditions, their RV, and determine what option they chose. Its always a bit more challenging when traveling in temperature extremes. In any case "happy travels".
The answer is "it depends".
OP is UP Michigan where it gets pretty cold, don't know what type of RV they have.
Trailer/5th Wheel: If it has exposed holding tanks and no generator then I might leave the holding tanks dry till we get to warmer temperatures. It is quite possible to use antifreeze for flushing and if temps are not too cold and I left the furnace (assuming 2 batteries) set to 50 degrees, open cupboard doors near plumbing to maximize air flow to those areas...I would carry some fresh water and use all of the facilities except the hot water heater which I would leave empty. I find it a challenge to keep warm at night if the temp in the RV is below about 45 degrees.
MotorHome: (B, B+, C, or A) with a generator and the low temperatures are in the 20's the I see no reason not to use the plumbing. Our MH has tank heaters, we put a gallon of water in the black water tank and add a gallon of RV antifreeze, some deodorizer, and put 1/2 gallon of antifreeze in gray water tank. The fresh water is under the bed and we keep it 2/3 full (would take a long time to freeze that much water inside the MH when we keep the temp above 50 degrees. Empty and bypass the water heater so we don't have to worry about it freezing. We open strategic cupboard doors to maximize air flow to plumbing during the night.
We don't travel where or when temps are in the single digits so can't presume to know what steps to take in those situations.
Its up to the OP to analyze conditions, their RV, and determine what option they chose. Its always a bit more challenging when traveling in temperature extremes. In any case "happy travels".
