First Winter Trip to New Mexico, How to prepare?

[mastercraftka]

I have a brand new Cypress 38bhr fifth wheel and we are taking it Eagles Nest New Mexico over spring break. The site is a good sam rv park.

Other than making sure that my tanks are empty before getting there what else do i need to know about cold weather camping?

I am used to the South Texas heat and only about 1 to 2 hours of freezing temps each morning.

Thanks! Mike

[mastercraftka]

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

[mastercraftka]

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.

[RustyJC]

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

[shovelhead86]

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.

[mastercraftka]

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.

[eubank]

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

[buc1980]

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.

[eubank]

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

[mastercraftka]

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

[laknox]

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

[1971duster340]

Under normal NM winter weather, you should be pretty well protected due to the new/quality of your 5th wheel. Ask at check-in about their winter water policy. Most parks will tell you to go to tank water if there's a freeze chance. The inside warm will keep the interior pipes safe and any fluid in the tanks shouldn't freeze unless it's a catastrophic event. In rare cases, leave the hook-ups attached and trickle the water thru the pipes, tanks and out the sewer hose. Heat pumps will not work below the high 30's, so you'll have the furnace floor ducting to help the pipes too. Fluid will slosh in the tanks while moving. Eagles Nest is in a valley, so windchill could be worse at other locations.

Eubank may be your best expert for what to plan for.

[eubank]

Check this document:

http://monteverderv.com/WinterworthyRVs.pdf

Lynn

[RustyJC]

mastercraftka wrote:
I have been told to have all the tanks empty and then when i get there fill the fresh water tank then unhook and fill as needed.

That would be best for sure.

mastercraftka wrote:
What about grey and black tank disposal. Any worries about freezing while during dumping? I shouldn't have to winterize the hose for that short period? Or more importantly will I need to wrap the dump valves?

It depends. My dump valves are in the warm zone of the basement. If yours are exposed, you could have problems. Be sure to drain the hose after dumping if its routing will trap any liquids while dumping (e.g., running uphill to the campsite connection, which is fairly common.)

Rusty

[mastercraftka]

Yes it will be pretty cold at night probably in the teens, and 40's during the day unless we get a storm while we are there. I have been told to have all the tanks empty and then when i get there fill the fresh water tank then unhook and fill as needed.
I honestly don't think i have tank heaters and the propane will be full for sure. I will have power charging from the truck at we take the 800 mile trip.

What about grey and black tank disposal. Any worries about freezing while during dumping? I shouldn't have to winterize the hose for that short period? Or more importantly will I need to wrap the dump valves?