Frost/Freeze warning tonight

[MURPHY55347]

Forecast calls for frost or a freeze tonight but we plan on at least one more trip next week. Really don't want to winterize for only a day or 2. We normally do the antifreeze method of winterization. That are calling for this all to happen about 3:00am. All tanks and water heater are empty. Would it help to open all faucets to keep any pressure from building in the water lines or what else might I do to keep from having problems.

[Mr_Mark1]

Mr. Murphy,

I was told to always keep the fresh water tank full as it works great as a 'heat sink' to keep everything around it from freezing.

I take it that you have no power to your motorhome while it's stored on your property. I would also keep the water heater full of water for the same reason as it can't freeze for a small dip below freezing.

Before going to bed on that 'cold' night, I would run the generator to heat up the coach with the furnace and heat the water tank.

If it got really cold, I would probably fill the grey and black tanks too with water to help maintain basement temp. Then, winterize when you return from your trip.:D

Good luck,
MM.

[JaxDad]

If you are in a park with FHU’s all you need to do is turn off the WH (if propane) and leave both hot & cold taps just barely trickling when you go to bed.

It take running water a LOT longer to freeze.

[wa8yxm]

I hit 11 degrees once in my Class A, heated bays One pex line froze but Pex is not bothered by freezing. (The elbows and adapters at the ends of the pex lines however are a whole nutter matter. They don't like freezing at all) I had heat at each end of the line that froze to the hard stuff (See what don't freeze) did not freeze. Just had to use hot water from the sink to flush for a few hours.

park.. Well the park did not do so well.. One entire building had to be bulldozed due to water damage (OUCH) glad that was not MY problem park is all frostproof now

[DownTheAvenue]

ReneeG wrote:
It takes multiple days and nights of freezing weather to do any damage.

WOW! I did not know that! I always thought that even one night of sub freezing temperatures would freeze water and possibly cause pipes to burst. But now I now that it takes several nights of freezing temperatures before I can worry. Great!!! When the forecast is for lows in the 20's for one night only, I don't have to winterize or worry!

[mountainkowboy]

When we had our HR, we didn't worry till it was getting into the mid 20's at night for longer than a couple of hours.

[Lwiddis]

"It's never going to freeze up in that amount of time."

Probably correct. But since its so easy to blow out the lines and costs so much if any one of them freezes....

[gbopp]

Rgtopda wrote:
Look at the map its called F L O R I D A..... We have plenty of room..hahahaha

That's just wrong..:M

[sch911]

It's never going to freeze up in that amount of time. You should be fine.

[ksg5000]

I wouldn't winterize my rig for a frost freeze which is usually an advisory to help homeowners protect outside plants. I wait until the weather forecast suggest that were going to have prolonged 32 or below weather or if the weather is supposed to dip into the 20's.

[Rgtopda]

Look at the map its called F L O R I D A..... We have plenty of room..hahahaha

[DrewE]

Opening the faucets (or not) isn't going to make a bit of difference. The damage comes from the expansion of the water when it freezes while being strongly contained, generally between two already frozen "plugs" of water in a pipe (or in a tank that cannot deform). Opening the tap won't relieve that pressure.

A slight dip below freezing in the wee hours of the morning shouldn't be the least bit problematic. I would be very surprised if the interior of the motorhome even dropped below freezing at all.

[Jim]

All I can tell from your post is that your rig is likely a Class A. (Please put your rigs info in your signature). Ahhh, yes, info is in your profile.

Class A's are good without winterizing to 20F during the night. If you have the Alaska build, (dual pane windows is the tip off), then even lower. Sure, leave the faucets open. That always helps. Flush the toilet too. With the water and pump off of course. I leave the electric element for my water heater ON.

Try to choose a RV spot where the wet bays get afternoon sunshine or morning sunshine (your choice), than let the air that trickles down from the living space keep the tanks warm.

BTW, water has tons of thermal energy and it takes sustained below freezing temps to freeze it so don't worry about it too much. I keep my tanks between empty and 2/3 full during cold snaps.

[ReneeG]

With your tanks and lines empty and one frost or freeze, you'll be ok. It takes multiple days and nights of freezing weather to do any damage. We just returned from a 12 day trip and most nights, but two, was down to freezing. We had full tanks and lines and we were ok. The days warmed up to 70's and we have insulated basements.

[donn0128]

Using low pressure air, blow the lines out.