almcc wrote:
We transit the US from Canada a bit earlier, November not December. If the daytime temps are above freezing and the night time temps are below, we de-winterize and run off the fresh water tank instead of hooking up the hose. I've put a thermometer in the basement to check for temps when outside temps are around freezing just in case. Running the furnace overnight will keep stuff from freezing, don't use electric heaters exclusively as no heat gets to where the water pipes are.
If your water pipes are enclosed in the underbelly and there is some insulation there it shouldn't be a problem, running the HW heater will keep it warm.
X2 ^^. It takes hours of sub-freezing temps to cause problems. If the temps only drop below freezing for a few hours (usually 4:00 - 8:00 AM or so) and you don't have howling, 40 MPH winds, run your main heater and you'll be fine. Set the thermostat so the main heater cycles every so often - this is how heated air is circulated into the basement. We also do as almcc has suggested: we fill the fresh water tank and don't hook up the hose for overnighters. We have a heated fresh water hose we use when we're going to be in one place a while in cold temps. When the sun comes up and temps are above freezing, you're fine for travel during the day.
There are two ways to get across the southeast and Alabama - I-20 and I-10. If the forecast ends up calling for an Arctic blast during your travel days, you can drop down to I-10 and subtract a few more degrees from your latitude. (But be aware, I-10 through Louisiana has a reputation for being one of the worst roads in the country!)
Rob
