How to keep propane from freezing

[Newb1644]

I am totally new to RVs. I bought one due to divorce and financially not being able to afford an apartment. I got this RV for a song and my plan is to live in it through the winter until Spring. Overall, for a 1990, it is in great shape. I am replacing the original converter (it still works but is failing) and I am putting an extend-a-stay to use portable propane when my onboard propane runs out. I'm not sure it will last all winter! LOL. So my son tells me it will freeze. Therein lies the question....for people who live in their RVs/Campers/Fifth wheels...how do you safely keep it from freezing? Oregon gets cold and snowy. I'm a newbie and totally clueless but I am quick to learn! Thank you for any suggestions!

[Hikerdogs]

Chum lee wrote:
It's my understanding that, like gasoline, LPG mixtures change slightly based on the local temperatures and elevations where it is initially sold. In colder temperatures, the suppliers use more propane in the mix since it boils at a lower temperature. Higher temperatures can use a larger percentage of butane without issue. It short, unless you buy your LPG mid summer in Death Valley and then transport it to Vail, Colorado for winter use, you need not worry.

Chum lee

There may be a slight difference in mixture from one area to the next. However to be sold as HD5 or "consumer grade" Propane the mixture must contain at least 90 percent propane, a maximum of 5 percent Propylene, and a maximum of 2.5 percent Butanes and heavier gasses.

The term LPG is confusing in that it can be used to describe either Liquid Petroleum Gas, or Liquid Propane Gas. If a dealer advertises a gas as Propane it must contain at least 90 percent propane. If they advertise the product as LPG it can contain as little as 51 percent propane.

In some states dealers can be fined for selling liquid Petroleum Gas as Propane. About 10 years ago 2 dealers in Wisconsin received large fines for doing so. The problem was identified when several customers complained to the Wisconsin Department of Commerce about furnaces and water heaters not working during the winter months after their Propane tanks filled.

[Chum_lee]

It's my understanding that, like gasoline, LPG mixtures change slightly based on the local temperatures and elevations where it is initially sold. In colder temperatures, the suppliers use more propane in the mix since it boils at a lower temperature. Higher temperatures can use a larger percentage of butane without issue. It short, unless you buy your LPG mid summer in Death Valley and then transport it to Vail, Colorado for winter use, you need not worry.

Chum lee

[Old-Biscuit]

Newb1644 wrote:
Y'all are super helpful! Thank you so much!. I do plan to skirt the whole thing and heat tape the water, etc. I hope it is a painless process. This Texas girl hates the cold and like I said, I am rather clueless about RVing. Come Spring I shall be homeward bound!

What is preventing you from 'howeward bound' NOW vs come Spring?

IF goal is to get back to TX go NOW.



Best wishes>
Wintering in an RV can be done. Just need propane...propane....propane.
Spent some time in deep snow, in winter wind and in -19*F temps.
Propane...propane...propane

And filling/using fresh water tank/on-board pump worked better then trying to keep city water hose flowing.
Fill tank..disconnect hose/drain it/stow then fill tank as needed -repeat.

[Tom_Barb]

pconroy328 wrote:

Newb1644 wrote:
I'm just trying to survive.

You have my best thoughts.

Ours too, but I'd be boon docking in Az for the winter.

1400 bucks a month will buy a lot of gas.

[shastagary]

i would talk to the local propane supplier about another tank hooked into your system save the built in tank for when that one runs out then you can call them to come fill it up at least a 100 pound tank or you will be hauling propane a lot. forget the 20 pound cylinders they would only last a few days if it gets below zero. i used one of my trailers for snowmobiling in wisconsin. survived a 38 below zero night on propane had one of the lay down propane tanks by the trailer. i used the 3m window insulator kits to do the windows inside and outside to stop the drafts. it worked out well. you could use some electric heat to supplement your heater but keep it up away from the dogs.

[pconroy328]

Newb1644 wrote:
I'm just trying to survive.

You have my best thoughts.
You can do it, others have.

Nope, won't be a ton of fun and it'll depend a lot on the weather.

There are a half-dozen Youtube videos on how to stay warm in an RV in the winter. I'd suggest watching those and gathering some ideas.

I think $1400 a month helps. That'll keep you in enough propane. And if you can find a place with electric, then you can use space heaters to add some heat.

To that end, where will you be staying? I don't mean post the address, but is there a spot where you can park the RV and get electric and water?

[mowermech]

Ignore the naysayers.
YES, one CAN survive in an RV during a winter, in Billings, Montana; Poulsbo, Washington; and Grass Valley, CA ("Above the fog line, below the snow line!" they say. Dual falsehood for the winter we stayed there.). We did it when DW was a travel nurse.
All it takes is common sense preparations.
Again, good luck.

[Newb1644]

I am in Klamath Falls, east of the cascades. The winters generally are not super cold. We get moderate snowfall. I'm just trying to wait out the winter so that come tax time I can go home. I realize that an RV is not an ideal place to winter in (to the ones to point that out). Understand I make around $1400 a month. I have two dogs that i WILL NOT part with. I have no family here and none of my friends are able to let my dogs stay. The everage cost of an apartment is $1200-$2400 a month with said dogs. I'm not trying to be rude, but I want to make it known I am not some idiot who chose to winter in an RV because it sounds like fun! I am trying my best to make a bad situation livable. If I had money to go home, I'd be gone. If I had money to rent a home, I'd be thrilled. I am a responsible person and pay my bills so I don't have anything left over, even for food. So I understand the sarcastic remarks being I am a newbie to all this, but that is why I am HERE. I know your knowledge can get me through this awful period of time and I need that knowledge right now. I appreciate everyone who gave me such awesome advice! I know it CAN be done as some on here and the internet have done so. I'm just trying to survive.

[rhagfo]

Newb1644 wrote:
I am totally new to RVs. I bought one due to divorce and financially not being able to afford an apartment. I got this RV for a song and my plan is to live in it through the winter until Spring. Overall, for a 1990, it is in great shape. I am replacing the original converter (it still works but is failing) and I am putting an extend-a-stay to use portable propane when my onboard propane runs out. I'm not sure it will last all winter! LOL. So my son tells me it will freeze. Therein lies the question....for people who live in their RVs/Campers/Fifth wheels...how do you safely keep it from freezing? Oregon gets cold and snowy. I'm a newbie and totally clueless but I am quick to learn! Thank you for any suggestions!

What part of Oregon are you living??
Eastern, Central, Cascades, Valley or Coast?

[MrWizard]

You can't use a propane bottle on it's side
The valve isn't set up for that, you would get liquid
You and i know that, the OP asking the question does not
Laying it down would create a dangerous, possibly deadly situation
100# equal 24 gallons,
How much do upright standing bulk bottles hold, i thought it was more

[pigman1]

mowermech has the right of it. Especially the part of getting a local LP supplier to supply the tank, hook it up and keep it filled. The unwritten part of that is that if something goes wrong there, they will come out and fix it. It's their tank, hose and connections.

We just spent 4 months in Alaska. When we got to Valdez, the snow was right down to the harbor, and there were 6' piles behind each RV space. A number of people in the park had 100 lb tanks and hoses installed by the local LP supplier and these setups worked extremely well. If I were doing it, that's the way I'd go. No messing with taking tanks for refilling. We have 3 heat pumps so I was OK down to 37 or so and temps below that only went that low in the very early hours, but if I didn't have the heat pumps, that's the way I'd go. We used heat just about the whole summer at one time or another.

[Hikerdogs]

dougrainer wrote:
In simple terms. LP LIQUID has a harder time VAPORIZING the required volume of GAS when in sub freezing temps. That is why blanket heaters and such may be needed on the tank. Also, except is very rare cases, BUTANE is not really available in the USA. Almost ALL USA LP production is PROPANE. Doug

The term LPG is used to describe both Liquid Petroleum Gas and Liquid Propane Gas. Be sure when you fill your tank you're getting Liquid Propane gas. Liquid Propane vaporizes at much colder temperatures than Liquid Petroleum Gas.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas does contain Propane gas. However it does not have to contain the same amount as the product sold as Propane.

To be labeled LPG the gas has to contain a minimum of 51 percent propane. The remainder can be Butane, propylene, and other gasses. While the Butane has more BTU's than Propane it does not vaporize well at low temperatures. Depending on the amount of Butane in the mix the gas may not vaporize below 34 degrees F.

Gas sold as HD5 Propane must contain a minimum of 90 percent propane and a maximum of 5percent propylene. This mixture will vaporize at minus 45 degrees F.

[time2roll]

dougrainer wrote:
BUTANE is not really available in the USA.

Maybe not so much in the RV world but butane is very much available for commercial use in large quantity.
I have a 10,000 gallon tank of butane right out my window.

[Tom_Barb]

What part of OR. are you talking about?
Coastal Or. seldom get cold enough to worry about the propane tank.

eastern Or. high country might be more of a problem.

[doxiemom11]

Also want to add, that any extra layers, suck as an area rug or even a heavy blanket on the floor will help you stay warmer. The floor get cold. We also have pillows that we stuff in the vents as they allow a lot of warmth to escape. For at night --- get one of the cheap foam mattress toppers ($20) from walmart. Because they don't have the gel cooling layer, they hold body heat and are great for helping you stay warm and toast in bed. I also added tension curtain rods up under the valances to hand insulating curtains ( Walmart has some) so with the day/night shades down and the curtains closed, helps with window drafts or cold radiating in. If you have slides, roll towels and push up against the floor by cabinets, under sofa at the edge - there is cold air that radiates thru that rubber seal. You can also fasten foam sheets on the top, bottom & sides of the slide when it's out to help insulate it more. Open curtains to let sun in when it does shine. Good luck. I would not even choose to stay in an RV over winter in a cold area. You will go thru a lot of propane, which isn't cheap.