Snowbirds in South Carolina

[RobWNY]

My wife and I are doing some preliminary research on becoming Snowbirds with our 5th Wheel starting the winter of 2019. Primarily we have been looking at Florida. I know in the Northern part of Florida, there might be a few nights where temperatures get cold enough that winterizing (at least emptying tanks and blowing out the lines) is necessary to prevent freezing but during my research I've been seeing a lot of advertising for RV Snowbird destinations in South Carolina. Doesn't SC get cold enough during the winter nights to make winterizing the camper a regular thing? I Don't mind doing it once in a while. It's easy enough to do, but who wants to do it all the time! I'm just curious if there's anyone here that winters in SC and what your experience has been with the cooler temperatures. Are you constantly Winterizing/Summerizing your RV? Thanks in advance!

[RobWNY]

Thanks everyone for your input. I think we'll stick to places a little further South.

[wildtoad]

The number of times a year here in SC where freezing is a concern (midlands and towards the coast) is minimal. If you are comfortable living in it, most likely you won’t have any problems. As mentioned, from time to time you may want to disconnect the water hose and use your tank water. Lots of people use our state parks along the coast as a winter spot.

[RobWNY]

We have a Salem Hemisphere 5th wheel. It has an enclosed heated underbelly but the dealer says that doesn't do much. It's not a true winter package type camper. So I treat it as if it's like any other regular camper and assume everything will freeze easily.

[alfredmay]

You do not state the kind of rig you have but if it has insulated and heated tanks you will be fine. You will need either a heated water hose or disconnect AND empty it during freezing weather.

[bobjogone]

We camphosted at Buck Hall Campground on Francis Marion National Forest just north of Charleston, SC in winter 2013 - year of ice storms that broke limbs and trees and down to 20's at night for at least a week.

[accsys]

When you are living in the rig, there should be no reason to winterize as your furnace will keep everything above freezing as long as the temps don't drop to 0 or so. You may need to fill the fresh water tank and unhook the water line from the faucet occasionally but even that is infrequent.

[Merrykalia]

Many times, we headed to Hunting Island, SC for a weekend getaway during the winter and before Mother Nature took out much of the campground (hurricanes). We always found it to be pleasant (50s and above) during the day and cool enough for a good fire at night, in the high 30s and low 40s at night. It is about 30 miles from the GA border. It is by no means HOT during the winter like you will get in Florida, but for us that have sub-0 temps, it feels good.

[Chrisatthebeach]

When relocating I stayed just north of Savannah at Hardeeville RV for a year. The park is clean, has no frills. Was filled both winters with snowbirds. Rates were very reasonable, free cable and Wi-Fi and just minutes to Savannah. Most of the snowbirds that I met and talked to return every winter, less expensive than Florida. In this area close to the coast we rarely have freezing weather, snows about once every decade or so and is only around for a day. I never winterized during the time there, and rarely used the furnace either. As you go inland and north things do get colder.

[Sam_Spade]

I suspect that WILL be a problem in SC.

IF you get as far south as Ocala or more, it should NOT be a problem.
It sometimes gets down to about 28 here but only for a few hours.
My RV is parked with water in the tanks and lines and no problems.

Some people still have their water pump and pressure tank out in the back yard......with no protection at all.

[fchammer1]

If you want an enjoyable, mostly carefree winter, at least make it down to central Florida. Forget anywhere north of Lake Okeechobee. South of the big lake is better, but can be more expensive. Many posters here have offered campground possibilities on this site. Do a search.