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dvitale300's avatar
dvitale300
Explorer
Nov 21, 2015

Need some advice with cold weather

Hi everyone!

So I have a 31' Starcraft TT with the Arctic package. We are going on one last trip this year, on December 3rd through 6th to Dallas - before I winterize the trailer until spring.

Only problem is that we're going to see a 26 degree night tonight, and then a couple of similarly cold nights next week before the trip. We live in West Texas - and the nights right now have lows of about 45 - with only a few nights getting below freezing.

My question: Am I going to be OK turning on the interior heat and water heater for those 2 or 3 nights before our trip and my final winterization? Making sure all tanks are at least 1/2 full, etc? Or should I winterize immediately and get a hotel for my trip in early December? This is my first year owning a TT and ya'll's advice has been priceless.

thanks - david

15 Replies

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  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Nov 21, 2015
    26F and 35+ in the day should be no trouble while in use for most trailers.
    Yes run the furnace. Check your propane daily and well before the local fill closes.
  • temccarthy1's avatar
    temccarthy1
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2015
    I lived in Dallas for 4 years .. I will never forget the Christmas week we had in 1988 when the temps went to -5 degrees for 5 days! (actual air temps..not wind chill!) This was our first winter in Texas and we could not believe how cold it was! Everyone's pool froze up and we had thousands of $ in insurance claims! Welcome to Texas! The point is, there is NO way to predict weather in North Texas in winter-- 70 degrees one day-- 20 degrees the next-- or colder!! Black Ice is frequent-- Forget driving on it with a car let alone a trailer! I would not take a chance that late in the year and get a hotel! Even if you winterize, it will not be fun to bring bottled water and have to use public toilets or someone'
    s bathroom you are staying with. Not worth the risk in that area in December!
  • Helimech's avatar
    Helimech
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2015
    A few hours of cold shouldn't be a problem. It's those long hard freezes that become an issue. IMO you should be OK
  • dvitale300's avatar
    dvitale300
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2015
    That's kind of where I am at - set the heater at low, and then turn the water heater on (since I won't be using it I'm assuming it will not pull a ton of propane)- and either way it's not a big deal buring some propane to keep the unit available for our last trip. Others - experts - thoughts?
  • retiredcamper20's avatar
    retiredcamper20
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2015
    I am no expert and I am not familiar with the "Arctic" package. However, I have Lance "4 Seasons" TT and my understanding is if I kept my furnace on even a low setting it would circulate around the tanks including grey and black. Then with the water heater on as well you should be safe through those freezing nights. I have never tried to keep my TT available through some freezing nights so I have no first hand experience. Just my thoughts. Maybe someone who has a TT like yours or has been through some cold nights will be responding as well.

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