Traveling and camping in below freezing temps

[Quent]

I have a 2008 Tiffin Phaeton 40 QDH and will be traveling to Lansing Michigan area for family. I will be running the furnace and should be able to plug into at least 110 to keep the batteries charged. Temps Thursday will be H 35 to L 21. Friday H 29 to L 18. Saturday H 37 to L 30. Should I be concerned about my lines freezing while being parked? I would think the bays would be heated but not sure. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. I will be traveling from where it is above freezing.

[2_Retired]

Just realize your hose from water source to rig will probably freeze up unless it is insulated! Been there!

[Jim]

Most basement compartments can handle sustained temps of 20F for several days. You will be above that during the days. So maybe just plug any openings into the wet bays with rags and you'll be good.

Also, if you can, park so your wet compartment gets the afternoon sun...if there is any.

[Two_Jayhawks]

I have been in colder with rigs not a well built as your Tiffin and had no issues. Like others have posted make sure you are full ob LP & Water & just run your furnace as you normally would. You will likely be stopping for LP on the return trip.

[ArchHoagland]

Top off your propane tank. The furnace uses a LOT of propane.

[DrewE]

Assuming your tanks are enclosed in a bay, I would not expect you to have any trouble at all with things freezing in those temperatures if you use the furnace to keep the coach warm. If you have tank heaters, turn them on. I would be rather amazed if a motorhome of your size and quality is not capable of moderate below freezing operation such as you're talking about here.

20A would be more than enough to keep up with the furnace. It probably uses 100W or somewhat less of electric power when running (maybe 7A at 12V), though of course that depends on the exact model. At any rate it's not going to tax most any AC connection you can get.

Enjoy your visit!

[rgatijnet1]

If you are concerned about the water lines freezing in the wet bay, we use a 11-150 watt INCANDESCENT light bulb in that bay in a shielded holder like a shop trouble light. This has kept our wet bay from freezing even in temps below zero. Running your water heater and furnace on LP should keep the rest of the coach comfortable and safe from freezing. An electric blanket is nice and it uses very little power.
The biggest issue can come from condensation forming on your inside window surfaces, like the windshield. You may need to put towels at the base to soak up any condensation if you don't have enough AC power available to run fans to blow on the windshield.

[Mr_Mark1]

Mr. Quint,

If you are going to be in that cold of weather, it's best to have your fresh water tank FULL. It will help in keeping the basement from freezing as that much water will be a 'heat sink' absorbing the cold.

I would think that a 20 amp connection will be enough for you to run the furnace fans. I also would imagine that you would put the fridge on propane.

Good luck,
MM.

[Dutch_12078]

We have often been in below freezing temps, and even below zero temps, with no freezing problems in our Landau. I do keep a remote reading thermometer in the wet bay near the water pump, and can turn on a small 700 watt heater in there if needed. We've only rarely needed it though, and only in sub-zero temps. We left upstate NY early last January in 6 deg.F weather with a full fresh tank and had no problems during overnight stops on our way to warmer weather.