Hello, Last February we were all set to go to Florida for the month to try out being snowbirds. Because of all of the snow we got here in MA we were unable to get our RV out of our yard or even if we did make the turn onto our very narrow street. So we had to cancel all reservations. This October we took the RV to South Carolina and have it stored outside of Myrtle Beach in Conway SC. We plan on leaving here at the end of this month and picking up the RV and then heading to Florida. We were told by the woman working the office in Conway not to de-winterize in SC. We are looking for advice as to where would be the best place south of Myrtle Beach to de-winterize. I am not sure why we can't de-winterize in SC as I know many people snowbird at Myrtle Beach. Our first night of reservations are on 2/9 in Talbot Island State Park in Florida. We are trying to figure out where to go until then. Any info is greatly appreciated.Thank you,:@Marianne

When we come home for Christmas we winterize when we get home. When we leave in Feb we almost always winterize in PA or VA.We have unhooked the water hose in SC a few nights and used the onboard tank but not very often.

We stayed at Myrtle Beach State park the week after Thanksgiving a few years ago and it was empty. They also have full hook up too. If you wanted to do something near the storage yard I would check there.

Another snowbird rookie doing the same in a couple weeks from here in western MA. I pulled the trailer out before the 1st threat of snow so it's sitting in the driveway till we head south.Taking I-81 as opposed to 95, after a 1st night at a hotel we're planning on stopping at a campground just outside Charlotte if the weather is decent and de-winterizing there. Obviously if it's really cold I won't do such till I get further south. Don't have reservations in FL till the 6th, if I'm early I'll think about hanging out at the CG in Charlotte or maybe call around in S GA.

I am not sure why we can't de-winterize in SC as I know many people snowbird at Myrtle Beach.Most likely, you can. Just pay attention to the weather reports; and if it's iffy, you can wait until the weather changes. It's likely to warm up as you head south.

:hAll this talk about winterize/dewinterize just get my head spinning!!!In the PNW we do this all the time, personally I blow the lines, then there is no need to flush out the pink crud! Our favorite winter parks are NOT full hookup, so no sewer so can't just run a bunch of water through the system and tanks. I just hook up and start using the faucets, also fill the HW tank by opening the relief valve until it spits. If I stayed at a place that temps were going to get down to about 28, then fill FW tank and use the pump for FW. Once this is done, when traveling below freezing run the furnace at about 50 to 55 degrees while driving.To winterize I use the on-board air for the PacBrake, drain the HW tank through the low point drain. Then go through and blow all the faucets. I can do this anywhere.

our first attempt at being snowbirds | Good Sam Community

K_Charles
Explorer
Jan 18, 2016
When we come home for Christmas we winterize when we get home.
When we leave in Feb we almost always winterize in PA or VA.
We have unhooked the water hose in SC a few nights and used the onboard tank but not very often.
fireman41
Explorer
Jan 18, 2016
We stayed at Myrtle Beach State park the week after Thanksgiving a few years ago and it was empty. They also have full hook up too.
If you wanted to do something near the storage yard I would check there.
Padlin
Explorer
Jan 18, 2016
Another snowbird rookie doing the same in a couple weeks from here in western MA. I pulled the trailer out before the 1st threat of snow so it's sitting in the driveway till we head south.

Taking I-81 as opposed to 95, after a 1st night at a hotel we're planning on stopping at a campground just outside Charlotte if the weather is decent and de-winterizing there. Obviously if it's really cold I won't do such till I get further south.

Don't have reservations in FL till the 6th, if I'm early I'll think about hanging out at the CG in Charlotte or maybe call around in S GA.
NoVa_RT
Explorer
Jan 18, 2016
I am not sure why we can't de-winterize in SC as I know many people snowbird at Myrtle Beach.

Most likely, you can. Just pay attention to the weather reports; and if it's iffy, you can wait until the weather changes. It's likely to warm up as you head south.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jan 18, 2016
:h

All this talk about winterize/dewinterize just get my head spinning!!!

In the PNW we do this all the time, personally I blow the lines, then there is no need to flush out the pink crud! Our favorite winter parks are NOT full hookup, so no sewer so can't just run a bunch of water through the system and tanks. I just hook up and start using the faucets, also fill the HW tank by opening the relief valve until it spits.

If I stayed at a place that temps were going to get down to about 28, then fill FW tank and use the pump for FW. Once this is done, when traveling below freezing run the furnace at about 50 to 55 degrees while driving.

To winterize I use the on-board air for the PacBrake, drain the HW tank through the low point drain. Then go through and blow all the faucets. I can do this anywhere.
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Jan 18, 2016
FYI, currently in MB,SC. lows tonight is for 18 degrees. tomorrow night is 20.

I will disconnect hoses.. open drain lines. fresh water tank will remain full.

Oh,, high for tomorrow is 40. MAYBE.
Fizz
Explorer
Jan 18, 2016
Don't worry about it.
It would have to be well bellow freezing for a day or two to do any damage. You should be well south after your first day on the road.

The temp here this afternoon will be -24C with wind chill so I know what I'm talking about.
jplante4
Explorer II
Jan 18, 2016
We're north central Florida right now, also doing the snowbird rookie year. They're predicting 20s for northeast FL next week.
phillyg
Explorer II
Jan 18, 2016
If you have a smartphone, download a weather app (I have five such apps on my phone) so you can look ahead at projected temps in the areas in which you are going to travel. I suspect, however, that you can de-winterize once you get in the RV in NC. Once you're using it I seriously doubt you'll run into such cold temps that you'd experience a hard freeze of plumbing or tanks. If it gets really cold overnight, disconnect your water hose and don't leave your tank valves open. I turned a sewer hose into a poopsicle one night in frosty VA.
2_Retired
Explorer
Jan 18, 2016
We've lived in Myrtle Beach SC for over 12 years and have NEVER winterized our Class A. Have camped often during the winter. Just disconnect hose from outside source if night time temps drop below freezing - water in hose sometimes will freeze up. Using your onboard heater will take care of your interior pipes. Just our experiences.