water heater winterizing question
I have a 93 coachman B and there no shower or anything for the hot side but the sink. I am trying to leave for Montana and temps can easily get down in the low 20s at night, should be 40s and 50s dayt...
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Any amount of insulation will not help prevent the tank from freezing. This is because the inlet and outlet of the flue is where most of the heat is lost, as cold air goes into the flue pipe, then warms up to near the water temp, and goes out the top!
So you have one quick choice. Leave the heater on, and it will stay above 35F. You can shut it off for hours at a time, but keep it above 55F when you go to sleep, and it should stay warm all night. Still I would be turning it on at midnight if you get up anyway, or first thing in the morning to make sure it does not freeze.
You can also drain all the water lines, blow air into the lines, and then not use the RV water lines. Then carry a couple of gallons of water to flush with, or drinking and cleaning.
Chances are that the grey water tank drain line can also freeze. This can crack that fitting too. Driving in 30F temps can quickly remove all heat from the tank and it's valve.
My buddy added a gallon of cheap wine to the RV when camping at the Olympics in New York. This prevented the fresh water tank from freezing, and helped prevent the black water tank from freezing solid. He drove south after the Olympics, and then allowed everything to thaw before trying to drain it.
Fred.
So you have one quick choice. Leave the heater on, and it will stay above 35F. You can shut it off for hours at a time, but keep it above 55F when you go to sleep, and it should stay warm all night. Still I would be turning it on at midnight if you get up anyway, or first thing in the morning to make sure it does not freeze.
You can also drain all the water lines, blow air into the lines, and then not use the RV water lines. Then carry a couple of gallons of water to flush with, or drinking and cleaning.
Chances are that the grey water tank drain line can also freeze. This can crack that fitting too. Driving in 30F temps can quickly remove all heat from the tank and it's valve.
My buddy added a gallon of cheap wine to the RV when camping at the Olympics in New York. This prevented the fresh water tank from freezing, and helped prevent the black water tank from freezing solid. He drove south after the Olympics, and then allowed everything to thaw before trying to drain it.
Fred.
