Re-Winterize?

[DiamondDan]

So... we had a very enjoyable trip to central Florida the 1st week of April and are now enjoying some warm weather here in the Chicago west burbs. But...

Forecast is for several hours below freezing (high 20's) Monday and Tuesday night. I'd hate to spend the money on pink stuff and the time to re-winterize, so - in my shoes, would you just turn on the furnace overnight? Space heaters in the water bay?

I do have an unheated, uninsulated barn it could go in, but the temp would drop pretty quickly there, too.

Rig is an 08 Damon Astoria DP.

thanks in advance.
-dan

[DanaMc]

I winterize each winter as you all do. BUT I also run a single, small, electric cube heater to keep things above 40F. I open all the under counter cabinet doirs to expse all plumbing possible. I am fortunate my coach s right outside my hone. So my wireless thermometer works great as I moitor the temp as well as the recorded high and low inside. I also keep a simple drop light directly beneath the water hoses in the utility/sanitation bay. In 11 years I've never had freeze damage. For the momentary quick chill, the cube heater does a great job.

[jy]

I live in southern michigan.I also have an un heated un insulated barn.I've had gallon jugs of water in my mh in the winter when nightime temps were 10 to 15 degrees.checked jugs in the morning and they were not frozen. Just saying.

[therink]

I just spent 10 bucks and back in went the pink stuff. I love NY.

[therink]

I just rechecked the forecast for tonight and tomorrow night (Western NY). Was supposed to get down to 26f, now the forecast is low of 21f both nights with highs in 30s. Time to get the pink stuff I guess. Not worth chancing and would likely spend more in propane then 2 gals of antifreeze.

[britch23]

I'm in the same boat here in Northern Illinois. I set my furnace to 45°. I'll be out to check in 2 weeks.

[brirene]

When I'm in that situation I set the tstat as low as it will go. In my case, that's 55. If i could set it at 45 I would. Doesn't have to be comfortable to be in, just has to be above freezing.

[therink]

I am in the same boat. I will close the slides (less space to heat) , open cabinets with airspace to any plumbing and get the interior up to 68, fire up the water heater, then shut off until morning (I'm not sleeping in it).
This has worked in the past with low of 24f.

[USXplorer]

OK, I just sanitized my system for a camp out in two weeks. Now this cold snap will bring temps down to 25 degrees tonight. Re-winterizing is not an option b/c re-sanitizing takes hours so I'm opting to run the furnace. My question is how warm should I keep it in the 5th Wheel to insure it stays warm enough in the basement? Currently have it at 55 degrees.(2011 Keystone Montana 3400RLw/ 4 Season) Thank you.

[msmith1199]

Here in California our coldest temps are in the high 20's and I have never winterized and have never had a problem. There have been occasions when we'll get a cold snap where they saw the temps will get into the teens. When that happens I have a electric heater that has a "freeze watch setting." I think it comes on at about 30 degrees. I just put that inside the motorhome and still never had a problem. The heat from within the motorhome makes sure the lines in the basement don't freeze. We use our RV year round so I don't want to be messing with the pink stuff in the water lines.

[egh33]

Here in Texas it is suppose to get down to 28-29 tonight. Not going to re-winterize, just put some light blubs in the right places, been through this before. Good old Texas weather, it was 90 here yesterday.

[J-Rooster]

Heating your coach like you explained will work just fine! I got back from AZ. recently and I forgot to turn my heaters one night and it got down to 25* and everything was O.K. The weatherman said it was going to be in the mid 30's.

[therink]

powderman426 wrote:
Wow! You don't have $4 and thirty minutes time. You must be a busy man. I would never risk the damage as the weather people are not always right. JMO

Of course I do, that's not the point. I have done this for years and know what the rv can handle. I do open low drains to reduce water and pressure in system.

[DiamondDan]

Thanks, everyone, for the helpful replies. Yes, re-winterizing is not impossible, but finding the time to get the pink stuff, get the rv, do the work, etc is non-trivial right now. If I can't do that, I'll leave it plugged in with the furnace set low.

This winter is truly the gift that keeps on giving!
-dan

[JimM68]

Also west suburban Chicago. De-winterized 2 weeks ago. Do not expect any problems. Rig is plugged in. Factory wet bay heater is on, and furnaces set for 40 degrees.