23 degree lows Sunday & leaving Tuesday

As long as it is going to warm up above freezing the next day, you should be ok. Biggest thing is if you have city water, put some in the fresh water tank and pull the hose.

Hi,

You do need to keep the water heater above 32F all the time, so I would leave it on. Sure it will waste a lot of gas, but there is a huge air vent through the center of the water heater, and it can cool to 30F quickly when it is in the low 20's outside. If you where camping, you can turn on and off the water heater, just making sure it stays above about 45F, and not need to run it more than about 2 minutes per hour. Overnight when it was around 19 outside, I would turn on the water heater and leave it on while I was sleeping. Turn it off in the morning, say 6 am, and it would stay above 45 for a few hours. Wind helps get rid of the heat faster.

I have camped in 19 F weather a few times out in the desert. I would run my Olympic Catalytic heater to save 12 volt power, then run the furnace once in a while, to blow heat into the basement and to both ends of the RV.

In your case, it might be good to set up a electric heater to save propane, and set the furnace around 55, leave the cabinets open, and perhaps put the heater near the sink cabinet, blowing in heat to that area. The furnace should run a bit to blow heat to the tank area once in a while.

Your problem might happen while driving though. When I drove 25 miles in 25F weather, my pump froze. I was able to quickly thaw it out with a 800 watt electric heater put next to it and the fresh water tank, with no damage. I guess that driving brought in a lot of air into my basement storage compartments. You might have the same thing happen. Or you might consider using compressed air to drain most of the water from all the lines and the water heater tank, then not worry about it freezing. Just fill the fresh water tank before leaving, and leave the pump off until you need water, plan on running the water heater, and reached your first night's campground.

Fred.

Golden_HVAC wrote:
Hi,

You do need to keep the water heater above 32F all the time, so I would leave it on. Sure it will waste a lot of gas, but there is a huge air vent through the center of the water heater, and it can cool to 30F quickly when it is in the low 20's outside. If you where camping, you can turn on and off the water heater, just making sure it stays above about 45F, and not need to run it more than about 2 minutes per hour. Overnight when it was around 19 outside, I would turn on the water heater and leave it on while I was sleeping. Turn it off in the morning, say 6 am, and it would stay above 45 for a few hours. Wind helps get rid of the heat faster.

I have camped in 19 F weather a few times out in the desert. I would run my Olympic Catalytic heater to save 12 volt power, then run the furnace once in a while, to blow heat into the basement and to both ends of the RV.

In your case, it might be good to set up a electric heater to save propane, and set the furnace around 55, leave the cabinets open, and perhaps put the heater near the sink cabinet, blowing in heat to that area. The furnace should run a bit to blow heat to the tank area once in a while.

Your problem might happen while driving though. When I drove 25 miles in 25F weather, my pump froze. I was able to quickly thaw it out with a 800 watt electric heater put next to it and the fresh water tank, with no damage. I guess that driving brought in a lot of air into my basement storage compartments. You might have the same thing happen. Or you might consider using compressed air to drain most of the water from all the lines and the water heater tank, then not worry about it freezing. Just fill the fresh water tank before leaving, and leave the pump off until you need water, plan on running the water heater, and reached your first night's campground.

Fred.

I agree with everything Fred has said and it all makes sense and would be worth heeding.

About the only thing I can think of to consider is to carry a hair dryer or heat gun with you to thaw things that might freeze and don't get to aggressive with it since too much heat too fast could crack something which is going most likely to be plastic.
Larry

The temps during the day are going to be well above freezing so travel will not be a problem. In addition to turning the water heater on at night, I'd open all the cabinet doors under your sinks.

Thanks. I just wanted to double check & get y'all's opinions.

I have my camper plugged up at all times. Electric water heater (and gas). The high the next day going to be 45-50 degrees.

If you have left your water on and anyone gets up at night they should run the water at each faucet and flush the toilet. Same should be done just before you go to bed.

For about $3 worth of rv antifreeze and fifteen minutes time, I would winterize. But thats just me.

Golden_HVAC wrote:
Hi,

You do need to keep the water heater above 32F all the time...If you where camping, you can turn on and off the water heater, just making sure it stays above about 45F,

Fred, is it 32 degrees or 45 degrees?

We are in a similar situation.....we drained all water and blew out lines a few weeks ago. Better to be safe than sorry. Will travel south & then rewinterize in January.
Good luck & here's to warm weather!

zackyboy3rs wrote:
Leaving Tuesday for MB but Sunday night lows are suppose to be lower 20's. Will running an electric heater & furnace be enough protection? I do have enclosed underbelly. What if I were to turn on hot water header? Would that cause any harm? Help any?

I'm headed for MB myself tuesday. Been getting the trailer ready today. Had planned on connecting water today but not with it going down to 24 here.