Got a question. We have talked about maybe going next Thanksgiving down to Florida for the week with the motorhome. We normally winterize in October. We had a couple days that dipped down to the low 20's in October and a few more in November. Of course next year could be worse or even milder. I don't want to really winterize the motorhome in October, just to have to undo it in November for the trip. And then rewinterize when we get back. If it were a weekend trip, then I wouldn't worry about it and use the bath house. But this would be for a week.If the tanks (fresh/black/gray) were empty as they are for winterizing (or there abouts), would it be safe to just run a space heater(cabinet doors open) in the motorhome between October and the trip in November? Would I need to run the furnace? My thinking is that if I run the space heater, that its going to warm the motorhome and cause the furnace not to kick on anyways(thermostat will read a warmer temp). Thus having the furnace turned on probably wouldn't do anything at all. Am I thinking this the right way?

One thing you've got to think about is just because your tanks are empty don't mean all the other water lines are. By running a space heater inside the rig will keep everything above the floor nice and warm, but what about all the water lines and stuff underneath the floor that the furnace would keep warm if it where used. Believe me, wintizing is alot less costly then repairing frozen water lines. It's your call.

I just read somewhere that even running the furnace continually will only keep the water lines safe to around mid 20's. And then again, if you are running the furnace, then when the thermostat reaches the temperature you have it set, it's gonna cut off. There will be a difference in the temperature from what is inside compared to what is around the water lines due to difference in insulation. The best bet is probably just blow out the water lines and lay off the pink stuff until after the trip.

We go to Florida every winter right after Thanksgiving, and I our winterized prior to going. Ours is a travel trailer, so it might be easier then yours, but all it takes is a little over one gallon of pink stuff and ten minutes. Many years we use the trailer a couple of times in the fall, and I winterize each time we are through. I figure it is better to be safe then sorry.Jack L

I'd at least blow out the lines, a fitting is $2.34 at walmart.bumpy

Bumpyroad wrote:I'd at least blow out the lines, a fitting is $2.34 at walmart.bumpyThat's what I was figuring....but then I also need to buy a proper air compressor. Don't think my little black and decker air station tire inflator will do the job...lol

Tanks, heat, winterizing.... | Good Sam Community

RoyB
Explorer II
Nov 28, 2013
WB - I use the 12VDC TANKLESS portable air compressor for my blow out routine AMAZON. Without the tank the air pressure comes up slow and gives me a chance to get inside and open up a facet before the pressure builds up. I just drain the low drain points, blow out the lines and pour a tad of pink stuff down the traps when on travel in cold weather.

You can go back to using water by just refilling the tanks... Easy five minute job blowing out the lines using the air compressor and adapter on the city water inlet.

Your B&D air inflater may be just the thing to use. Try it first before going to buy something else.

Also after seeing Don's post a week or so back his idea has big merit for me. I have just the spot in my OFF-ROAD trailer here mounting this Window fan with thermostat on an outside cabinet wall near the floor to give me positive air flow through-out all of my floor cabinets is a great idea for me. This will move the inside trailer heat back behind all of the cabinets.

Roy Ken
pianotuna
Nomad III
Nov 28, 2013
Hi wbwood,

In my class C I had trouble with fresh water line freeze ups while traveling because the propane furnace thermostat would be "fooled" by the dash heater.

I replaced the return air grill on the furnace with a fan. On my rv that circulates warm "living space" air under the cabinets and pushes some air along the furnace duct work. I chose to use a dual window fan unit which is controlled by a mechanical thermostat that lives beside the water pump next to the outdoor wall of the RV.

The fan unit draws just 23 watts and works better than a 1500 watt fan based heater which I tried using inside the cabinet.
wbwood
Explorer
Nov 28, 2013
Bumpyroad wrote:
I'd at least blow out the lines, a fitting is $2.34 at walmart.
bumpy

That's what I was figuring....but then I also need to buy a proper air compressor. Don't think my little black and decker air station tire inflator will do the job...lol
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Nov 28, 2013
I'd at least blow out the lines, a fitting is $2.34 at walmart.
bumpy
NanciL
Explorer II
Nov 28, 2013
We go to Florida every winter right after Thanksgiving, and I our winterized prior to going.
Ours is a travel trailer, so it might be easier then yours, but all it takes is a little over one gallon of pink stuff and ten minutes.
Many years we use the trailer a couple of times in the fall, and I winterize each time we are through.
I figure it is better to be safe then sorry.

Jack L
wbwood
Explorer
Nov 28, 2013
I just read somewhere that even running the furnace continually will only keep the water lines safe to around mid 20's. And then again, if you are running the furnace, then when the thermostat reaches the temperature you have it set, it's gonna cut off. There will be a difference in the temperature from what is inside compared to what is around the water lines due to difference in insulation.

The best bet is probably just blow out the water lines and lay off the pink stuff until after the trip.
Captain_Happy
Explorer
Nov 28, 2013
One thing you've got to think about is just because your tanks are empty don't mean all the other water lines are. By running a space heater inside the rig will keep everything above the floor nice and warm, but what about all the water lines and stuff underneath the floor that the furnace would keep warm if it where used. Believe me, wintizing is alot less costly then repairing frozen water lines. It's your call.

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