Forum Discussion
fuzzdr
Jan 24, 2014Explorer
The weather in MN in winter is brutally cold as in minus 40 plus degrees C. This is equal to or colder than the temp is here at this moment near Orillia Ontario. So I have some experience in dealing with boats and rvs in winter. It is one thing to move an rv to MN in winter and a completely different deal to live in that rv in a MN winter. I would not attempt the later; rvs do not have sufficient insulation to prevent everything and everybody from freezing. And the structure of the typical rv walls, floors and ceilings are not up to the job of supporting the deep snow load that will accumulate on the coach. And we have not even mentioned what happens to plumbing components in such an environment. My advice- don't even think about living in a camper in a MN winter.
To winterize your unit for winter storage (not habitation), drain all water tanks and lines completely. Install a bypass valve for the hot water tank and close it. Then completely fill the cold and hot water systems but leave the hot water tank empty. Use pumbing antifreeze minus 50 degrees C. for this. This stuff gets slushy in cold weather and hopefully will keep everything from freezing solid. Pipes and components that freeze are then at risk from splitting open. Make sure to fill all of the water traps with this plumbing (or non toxic) antifreeze; toilet, sinks, showers, tubs and the like.
Up here, we treat all of our boats and rvs like this in September or early October before the really cold weather hits. Then we store them indoors if possible or otherwise out of doors............until the end of winter in May.
Hopes this helps. Remember that MN ia one of the coldest places on earth during the winter. Do Not Use Automotive Antifreeze as this stuff is deadly toxic.
To winterize your unit for winter storage (not habitation), drain all water tanks and lines completely. Install a bypass valve for the hot water tank and close it. Then completely fill the cold and hot water systems but leave the hot water tank empty. Use pumbing antifreeze minus 50 degrees C. for this. This stuff gets slushy in cold weather and hopefully will keep everything from freezing solid. Pipes and components that freeze are then at risk from splitting open. Make sure to fill all of the water traps with this plumbing (or non toxic) antifreeze; toilet, sinks, showers, tubs and the like.
Up here, we treat all of our boats and rvs like this in September or early October before the really cold weather hits. Then we store them indoors if possible or otherwise out of doors............until the end of winter in May.
Hopes this helps. Remember that MN ia one of the coldest places on earth during the winter. Do Not Use Automotive Antifreeze as this stuff is deadly toxic.
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