Polar Vortex in September? How much RV antifreeze?

[dayakster]

I just bought our 97 Allegro bus 32' in April and finally had it DEwinterized in June (my mother passed so the bus is just set up in the yard plugged in this year) and I haven't used the water system at all since we brought it home from the service appt. (I received a call from hospice while at the appt. that mother had taken a turn for the worse so we had to run out of there after the work was completed and I didn't really get a lot of information.)

I just made an appt. to have it winterized on Oct. 7th but this morning I hear they are predicting harsh weather as early as September for the Great Lakes so I'm wondering if I should stock up on some RV antifreeze now just in case it gets cold before the appt?

How much do I need and where do you put it other than down sinks and toilet?

I grew up in the north valley of Northern California so my folks didn't have to deal with much winterization.

Thanks.

[RoyB]

My emergency plan is using a 12VDC TANKLESS air compressor that I can connect to the CITY WATER connection and blow out all of the lines by opening each of the inside faucets. Then when I have all the water out of all the lines I only a small amount of RV ANTIFREEZE to the P-TRAPS. Using the tankless model small air compressor doesn't start out at high pressure and gives you plenty of time to hook up and open a faucet somewhere and not worry about over pressure in the PEX tubing water lines. The portable air compressor is great for airing up the trailer and truck tires as well.


We have done this on several OFF-ROAD camping adventures when it gets below freezing at night. Only takes a few minutes to accomplish this...

Then we can add fresh water the next day and go about our business as usual.

Roy Ken

[tsetsaf]

To answer the question: yes stock up now if you are concerned. Stuff is cheap and if the forecasters are right you will be ready. Fyi weather reporters can barely predict 3 days in advance; the new generation relies completely on computer models.

[Executive45]

My condolences on the loss of your mother...Prayers for her and for your family in this time of sorrow....Dennis and Debi.

[dayakster]

John S. wrote:
Humm there is more to winterizing then pouring down the drains. I used to winterized after thanksgiving. Kept the heat on until then.

I know that there is a lot I have to learn and I've been rather overwhelmed with the sudden loss of my mother....that is why I have the appointment in October to have it winterized professionally. I just wanted to know if there was something I could do in the meantime if temps were to drop....but I guess I'm just being over protective of my new toy. 🙂

[dayakster]

Ok, thanks! I won't panic then. Like I said, I've never owned a recreational vehicle in a climate like this and I wasn't sure.

I know our local weather guys used the term Polar Vortex for a cool spell in June but I read this morning that meteorologists at Penn State (?) are predicting freezing weather in September this year.

We went from Jan till April 24th with a frozen sewer main last year. It wouldn't stay thawed more than 12 hours so we had to use porta potty in the house and spread out our showers. It was miserable. Hopefully this will be our last winter in this God forsaken environment. **The husband has had this house for 35 years and had never experienced that problem before. It was just too cold for too long.

[John_S_]

Humm there is more to winterizing then pouring down the drains. I used to winterized after thanksgiving. Kept the heat on until then.

[Dog_Trainer]

I never heard of polar vortex until somebody invented it last winter. I live in Mi. And probably won't winterized until late Oct.

[sch911]

I think you're overreacting. I don't winterize till sometime in late October and live in Michigan. An occasional overnight low around or even below freezing is not an issue....

But when I do winterize I blow out all water lines with air, drain all tanks, low point drains, and go through about 2 gallons of anti freeze filling the traps, and toilet bowl. I do not use anti freeze in the fresh water system at all.