Do we need to winterize for a few days in Yellowstone?

[SarahElizabeth]

Hi there! We're planning on heading to Yellowstone in a few days - but we just saw that the lows are going to be in the 30s. Are we going to have to winterize in order to go? Or will it not be too much of a problem because the temps will be in the 60s during the day?

Thanks so much!

[ReneeG]

Just an FYI, we just left West Yellowstone. Lows were in the low 30's and highs in the 70s. It warmed up quickly each day. We dry camped at Baker's Hole and set our heater thermostat to 50 each night. No problem with freezing. It has to stay at freezing Temps night and days consistently to worry.

[harold1946]

In temperatures below freezing we have the water lines to our stock tanks running at a fast drip, sometimes 24-7, throughout the winter. never had one freeze up in 20 years. Livestock need water year round. Every ranch around us does the same.
Its an easy and simple solution rather than dead cows.
When trick tanks and ponds freeze over we need an alternate way to water livestock.

[Vulcan_Rider]

harold1946 wrote:

a dripping faucet will help to delay the process buying time in freezing temperatures.
Moving water is moving water, whether in a pipe, stream or a river, and the freezing process is the same. That's how it equates.

No it isn't, not it won't. Simple movement will NOT DO ANYTHING to delay the freezing. Repeating your wrong information a thousand times won't make it any less wrong.

[harold1946]

westend wrote:
Guys, reading from a fella' in FL and another from AZ having an argument about freezing pipes is almost laughable.
Not to sat that you both don't have experience but all the OP needs to know is that if the temps dip much below 32 and stay there, some thoughts about winterization would be in order.

Advise was given to the OP and a short message about winterizing and where to find more detailed information.
I don't know about laughable but it has been quite entertaining for me.

[westend]

Guys, reading from a fella' in FL and another from AZ having an argument about freezing pipes is almost laughable.
Not to sat that you both don't have experience but all the OP needs to know is that if the temps dip much below 32 and stay there, some thoughts about winterization would be in order.

[harold1946]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

harold1946 wrote:


Wrong again: I did not make that statement, DSDO Don did.

Read more carefully.
It is not " an old wives tail". It can freeze but it takes much takes longer because the molecules are moving faster and the cold water is being replaced with warmer water continuously.

So you just like to create pointless arguements; that adds a LOT to the forum......NOT.

To try and equate a dripping faucet to a running river is ludicrous.

The one making it an argument is yourself, all that was need was to ignore it if you do not agree.
The point was moving water takes longer to freeze and a dripping faucet will help to delay the process buying time in freezing temperatures.
Moving water is moving water, whether in a pipe, stream or a river, and the freezing process is the same. That's how it equates.

[Vulcan_Rider]

harold1946 wrote:


Wrong again: I did not make that statement, DSDO Don did.

Read more carefully.
It is not " an old wives tail". It can freeze but it takes much takes longer because the molecules are moving faster and the cold water is being replaced with warmer water continuously.

So you just like to create pointless arguements; that adds a LOT to the forum......NOT.

To try and equate a dripping faucet to a running river is ludicrous.

[harold1946]

Vulcan Rider wrote:

harold1946 wrote:
In a previous post you stated that a fully charged battery would freeze at -60F.

I said ABOUT -6OF....and if it is not quite fully charged that might be the magic number.

I'm not going to argue with you about other things because my only quibble is your statement that "moving water won't freeze". That is patently absurd.

Wrong again: I did not make that statement, DSDO Don did.
Read more carefully.
It is not " an old wives tail". It can freeze but it takes much takes longer because the molecules are moving faster and the cold water is being replaced with warmer water continuously. Letting a faucet drip allows the water to be in continuous motion slowing down the freezing process and can keep pipes from freezing. The same reason rivers freeze over but the river continues to run.


I guess you must now also agree that P-traps can freeze and rupture.

[Vulcan_Rider]

harold1946 wrote:
For those that have been following this thread please take my advice.

Perfect post. I absolutely agree.

I never DISagreed with anything except the idea that leaving a faucet drip will prevent the pipes from freezing in a small scale, single family residence environment; it just won't move enough water to prevent freezing. It will, however, USUALLY prevent the pipes from braking if they do freeze.

[Vulcan_Rider]

harold1946 wrote:
In a previous post you stated that a fully charged battery would freeze at -60F.

I said ABOUT -6OF....and if it is not quite fully charged that might be the magic number.

I'm not going to argue with you about other things because my only quibble is your statement that "moving water won't freeze". That is patently absurd.

[harold1946]

For those that have been following this thread please take my advice. It may save some grief and expense.
Do a proper winterizing of the RV by draining everything possible and adding antifreeze to all p-traps, including the shower or bathtub.
There are several you-tube videos and websites that explain the procedure in detail.
It sure beats having to do repairs before the camping season starts next year.

[harold1946]

In a previous post you stated that a fully charged battery would freeze at -60F. Then got upset when you were corrected. Then you state that P-traps will not freeze and rupture because there is room for expansion in two directions.
Your folks must have been well aware that p-traps can and do freeze and rupture or they would not have added antifreeze as a precaution.
Sounds like you are arguing with yourself, Not me.

Some children learn from mom and dad, some don't.

[Vulcan_Rider]

harold1946 wrote:

When water freezes it expands, applying pressure equally in all directions.

Once more than then I quit.

My "credibility" suffers only in YOUR mind and somehow that doesn't concern me much.

Freezing water exerts equal pressure in all directions ***ONLY*** if there is not room for expansion in one or two directions, that is, if it is in a confined space.

Water pipes break most often because of the hydraulic pressure exerted after an ice blockage occurs and THEN it continues to freeze in the direction where there is no outlet for the pressure......most often downstream from the initial freeze point.

A charged battery does not freeze until about -70F so anyone with a frozen battery has neglected it before that time.

I never said that one should not "winterize" if the conditions warrant it.

I did remember later that my folks poured antifreeze in the P-traps. I assume that is because the pipes were thin and never designed to hold ANY pressure at all.

[harold1946]

Water heater tanks are designed to never be totally full, yet I have heard of and seen one that ruptured from freezing.
Its called winterizing and the same thing must be done to an RV.
The 67 year old retired plumbing contractor that has a cabin in our community,(Hannagan Meadow) winterizes most the cabins in the area every fall.
Your credibility is waning fast, but its always interesting and sometimes quite entertaining to read your posts. Keep up the good work.
Next spring, when there are posts about frozen batteries, ruptured piping, water heaters, holding tanks, etc etc, I will be waiting for your explanation. It can and does happen whether it should or not.
It happens every year to those that are new to the RVing world and those that do not winterize.
When water freezes it expands, applying pressure equally in all directions.