Winter weather concerns

[jstaffon]

I currently live in Idaho where winters can be harsh. This will be my first trip this winter with my 2008 Heartland Sundance 5th wheel. I have some concerns about frozen water lines.

My 5th wheel is currently winterized and stored in St George Utah. At the end of December, we plan to head south, pick up our 5th wheel and continue on to Arizona for the month of January. At the end of January, we plan on heading back north. Here's where my concerns begin. We plan on dropping off our 5th wheel in St George again but will have to stop somewhere between Tucson and St George for one night because of the distance. I'm worried about temperatures getting down low enough to cause my water lines to freeze. According to the Climate data, lows are around 32F with highs around 60F where we plan to stay. I'm not familiar enough with the design of my trailer to know if the holding and gray tanks are insulated enough and protected. I've heard of people keeping a drip line going and keeping your dump valves open.

Any thoughts, tips and tricks are much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[MIKECBROWN]

We winterize before heading North. Flush the toilet with a splash of RV antifreeze. Haul a jug of water for other uses, just don't use the drains. Add water to your black tank before draining for storage.

[time2roll]

While in-use (running the furnace) most RVs are fine to at least 25 and maybe 20 degrees before you have any trouble.

[jstaffon]

agesilaus wrote:
I spent a winter near IF once (Arco) and it got down to 41 F below once and never got above freezing at night for 6 weeks. That was back in the 1970's tho and I've heard it is not quite that cold there lately.

We've been in Idaho since 1983. We've had some pretty cold winters but nothing like that. I hope those days are over for good!

[jstaffon]

Dave H M wrote:
:h Is your concern the one night stop over on the way back?

I always winterize in the warm climate before heading back north from the winter stay. a gallon jug of water will get us through the stop over.

We may stay for two or three nights depending on weather, etc. When I originally posted this, we were only planning on one day. It looks now like 2 or 3 days.

[dbbls]

Keep the furnace on and things won't freeze. I've traveled in Temps as low as 9 degrees and the only thing that froze was the cap on the sewer outlet.

[Murphsmom]

agesilaus wrote:

I spent a winter near IF once (Arco) and it got down to 41 F below once and never got above freezing at night for 6 weeks. That was back in the 1970's tho and I've heard it is not quite that cold there lately.

Sounds like Eastern Idaho. We lived in Challis for 20 years and didn't even plug in the heat tape under the sink in the house until it got to minus 30. It used to be that Stanley was even colder than International Falls MN most winters. Not so much lately.

I guess winterizing must be something we just didn't do back in the day. Just drained the tanks and pulled the drain plugs, and never seemed to have a problem.

[Dave_H_M]

:h Is your concern the one night stop over on the way back?

I always winterize in the warm climate before heading back north from the winter stay. a gallon jug of water will get us through the stop over.

[2oldman]

jstaffon wrote:
lows are around 32F with highs around 60F where we plan to stay. I've heard of people keeping a drip line going and keeping your dump valves open.

32? No problem. Just the same you should plan on running your furnace for your comfort anyway.

Drip lines? NO!! Danger, danger.

[rhagfo]

Well water doesn't freeze until 32 or below, and it takes a bit, think about miking ice in your freezer at zero to -10, doesn't happen instantly.
If you can winterize again I would just do that, really fearful do as suggested above.
We go out year around I will only re-winterize after a trip if temps are going to get below 28 or so overnight with cold days.

[DOTLDaddy]

Personally, what I would do is winterize it again in Tucson, just before you leave. Find a stop somewhere around halfway To St. George that has restroom/shower facilities that are open. Just hook up the electric only. Carry some water on board in gallon or five gallon jugs for coffee, cooking, etc.

[agesilaus]

Some winterized RV's have a heater mounted in the underbelly to keep the tanks and lines from freezing. There may be a switch inside to turn that on if you have it. Otherwise since it is only one night I'd just drain the tanks and lines in Arizona before I left and use the facilities in what ever CG you stop at for that night.

I spent a winter near IF once (Arco) and it got down to 41 F below once and never got above freezing at night for 6 weeks. That was back in the 1970's tho and I've heard it is not quite that cold there lately.