First Winter Trip to New Mexico, How to prepare?

Just an update on the spring break trip to NM, everything went well. It didn't really get below 25 degrees until the last night then it dipped down to 14. But all we had to do was fill the tanks unhook the water and hook back up when needed. Heater kept it pretty toasty inside.

Drove straight through 13 hours back home almost 800 miles, Truck did fine and we had a good time thanks for everyones input we will be planning another trip for next year.

Mike

RustyJC wrote:

shovelhead86 wrote:

RustyJC wrote:
If you're going to be traveling in temperatures below freezing, either (1) winterize the 5th wheel with RV anti-freeze (food grade propylene glycol), (2) blow out all the water lines with air and pour RV anti-freeze in the p-traps, or (3) plan on running the furnace while traveling to keep the interior and basement above freezing. Be sure your propane tanks are full before leaving. If you're going to be carrying anything in the holding tanks, be sure your tank heaters are turned on. All the above assumes that you will have 12VDC feeding your rig through pin #4 of your tow vehicle's 7-pin Pollak connector to keep the coach batteries from discharging.

Rusty

There is no need to blow with air. the pink stuff pushes all water out ahead of it or dilutes with it sufficiently to prevent freezing. Works for me in Minnesota at -40.

Since you quoted me, did you notice the numbers and the either/or statement? Option 1 was to winterize with RV antifreeze. Option 2 was to blow out the water lines with air. Option 3 was to run the furnace. I never suggested blowing the lines out with air after winterizing the unit with RV antifreeze.

Rusty

I do have the winterize feature.

shovelhead86 wrote:

RustyJC wrote:
If you're going to be traveling in temperatures below freezing, either (1) winterize the 5th wheel with RV anti-freeze (food grade propylene glycol), (2) blow out all the water lines with air and pour RV anti-freeze in the p-traps, or (3) plan on running the furnace while traveling to keep the interior and basement above freezing. Be sure your propane tanks are full before leaving. If you're going to be carrying anything in the holding tanks, be sure your tank heaters are turned on. All the above assumes that you will have 12VDC feeding your rig through pin #4 of your tow vehicle's 7-pin Pollak connector to keep the coach batteries from discharging.

Rusty

There is no need to blow with air. the pink stuff pushes all water out ahead of it or dilutes with it sufficiently to prevent freezing. Works for me in Minnesota at -40.

Since you quoted me, did you notice the numbers and the either/or statement? Option 1 was to winterize with RV antifreeze. Option 2 was to blow out the water lines with air. Option 3 was to run the furnace. I never suggested blowing the lines out with air after winterizing the unit with RV antifreeze.

Rusty

RustyJC wrote:
If you're going to be traveling in temperatures below freezing, either (1) winterize the 5th wheel with RV anti-freeze (food grade propylene glycol), (2) blow out all the water lines with air and pour RV anti-freeze in the p-traps, or (3) plan on running the furnace while traveling to keep the interior and basement above freezing. Be sure your propane tanks are full before leaving. If you're going to be carrying anything in the holding tanks, be sure your tank heaters are turned on. All the above assumes that you will have 12VDC feeding your rig through pin #4 of your tow vehicle's 7-pin Pollak connector to keep the coach batteries from discharging.

Rusty

I assume that you have winterize feature on that new rig? Buy a couple of gallons of RV antifreeze at Walmart . Remove anode from Water heater after relieving pressure and drain Switch to water heater bypass.Then Someone holds the gallon bottle near the winterize fitting with the piece of plastic hose in it. Turn the coach water pump on and someone opens faucets one at a time until pink comes out. Flush toilet til pink . Run shower,open low point drains. Do this one at a time until pink. There is no need to blow with air. the pink stuff pushes all water out ahead of it or dilutes with it sufficiently to prevent freezing. Works for me in Minnesota at -40.

eubank I agree and we plan on visiting angel fire while we are there. I have driven across from Cimarron Canyon many times just not with a 16k pound trailer 42ft long.


buc1980 This campground is evidently open year round. Golden Eagle RV Park, and yes i plan on taking my time.

I'm pretty sure that the Good Sam RV park in Eagle Nest is open. All the others are closed over there, i think.

Angel Fire has two Good Sam RV places. One is run by Angel Fire Resort and is (tah-dah!) an RV resort! They are open limitedly for the winter. The other one is closed for the winter this year.

Lynn

I don't think that any campgrounds are open so early.I left from there last year on Thursday Oct. the 1 and the grounds start to close down.If you know any that are open go but be very careful with the weather.

As you drive up Cimarron Canyon toward Eagle Nest, look over at the river. Moving water in the summer, frozen solid in mid winter. No, dripping your water is just fine in warmer Texas, but will not work in cold places.

That said, you are talking spring break, a month from now. This year has been warmer (and wetter) than usual. We hit -30F only one time! Maybe it will be warmer still in a month.

Lynn

Ok sorry been working haven't had a chance to respond.

eubank very good document thanks so much.

I was hoping that being a new trailer it would help with avoiding freezing.

My dad has also recommended dripping the water.

I guess I have read somewhere that the grey and black valves could freeze, but I am pretty sure mine are not exposed so hopefully the central heat will keep them above freezing. The trailer is so new I don't really know much about it. We had a Hill Country 34BHR before and just got this one in October so it will be our first big trip. It stay at my parent's RV park in the meantime.

I am used the heat and trying to keep the trailer cool not the other way around! lol

Another tip that many people suggest is to leave under-sink cabinets open so air can circulate underneath to help prevent freezing. Usually only necessary during truly extreme cold, but also depends on the RV. Can't hurt, just don't walk into them in the dark, if you get up. :-)

Lyle