question about cold weather in Florida

[late_bloomer]

We don't get a whole lot of cold weather, but a few times a year we get around 30 degrees. It is usually not for more than a day. We intend to use our trailer at least twice a month. It's a 2010 Coachmen Freedom Express 24RKS. Most folks around here say that they just drain their water tanks and have no problems. At what point do I need to winterize?

[wny_pat1]

dodge guy wrote:

ReadyToGo wrote:
Wind chill does not affect hoses, pipes, etc at all. Myth.

That`s what they say, but I can and have proven otherwise!

And your proof? If it is 44F and the wind is 30 mph, the wind chill is 30 degrees, but water will not freeze.

[PawPaw_n_Gram]

Same temp in Denver and Orlando this morning. Both were 20 degrees warmer than Atlanta or Charlotte.

[2012Coleman]

I never winterize. I drain the heater tank while in storage - just did so last night. Not that it is in danger of freezing though.

[dodge_guy]

ReadyToGo wrote:
Wind chill does not affect hoses, pipes, etc at all. Myth.

That`s what they say, but I can and have proven otherwise!

[cruise-ader]

I'm in Cantonment, just on the north side of I-10 of Pensacola.
Glad I winterized my tt this past weekend.
Funny, lived in Miami til I moved here 20 years ago, always thought of it as Alabama.

[Ivylog]

OP, the forecast for Tampa Monday is 67/32... a big difference from your 41/17. You need to winterize or have heat on.

[tundraman67]

I'm just outside of Tampa - when I'm not using my 5th wheel during the winter I drain the system but have never winterized it. The weather never stays cold enough very long here so I have never had a problem.

[Ivylog]

The forecast for Monday is 41/17 so you either need to winterize or have heat inside the TT. If you have heat/power I'd take the low point drains out and open all valves plus drain the water heater. Set the Tstat as low as it will go and leave the cabinet doors open. I would put half a cup of antifreeze in your drain traps as they will not get any heat from inside.
For those of us from south Fla... the panhandle is part of Georgia.

[westend]

wa8yxm wrote:
If it is a small trailer with all the water INSIDE the rig. Just put a small heater, even a 150 watt may well be enough to prevent freezing at 27. but a standard ceramic on low (900 watts) should work well, DO take care about keeping it away from things that flame on when heated. (Like wood or cloth or paper)

if there are exposed pipes in the "Wet" (Contining liquid) state, a infra red heat lamp perhaps 3-6 feet from the pipes (use a spot light style and put it far enough to light up all the pipes that need it) these are usually also in the 150 watt range.

I am expecting TEENS next week.. Not sure I have enough heat. but sure gonna try, LIkely will have to burn propane to keep it all thawed.

Good advice!
Any chance you could use some skirting? It always paid big dividends when I camped in cold temps. If I was moving every so often, I'd use concrete frost blankets. If stationary, I use insulated garage door panels (I have a stack of them).

TEENS next week, I wish I had your problems, they're saying a high of -15f for my location on Monday. :R

[wa8yxm]

If it is a small trailer with all the water INSIDE the rig. Just put a small heater, even a 150 watt may well be enough to prevent freezing at 27. but a standard ceramic on low (900 watts) should work well, DO take care about keeping it away from things that flame on when heated. (Like wood or cloth or paper)

if there are exposed pipes in the "Wet" (Contining liquid) state, a infra red heat lamp perhaps 3-6 feet from the pipes (use a spot light style and put it far enough to light up all the pipes that need it) these are usually also in the 150 watt range.

I am expecting TEENS next week.. Not sure I have enough heat. but sure gonna try, LIkely will have to burn propane to keep it all thawed.

[ReadyToGo]

Last night it was 32 at 10 pm. This morning it was 27. The outside hose did not freeze at all.
It would take a quite a few days at 32 all day and night for water to start to freeze and then maybe a little bit of slush if at all.
Wind chill does not affect hoses, pipes, etc at all. Myth.

[Pine_Barren]

wny_pat I live in the panhandle in a little town called McDavid it 25 miles north of Pensacola. To answer your question no the panhandle is not considered tropical florida. After you get on I-75 heading south in Florida is when the environment starts to change into that. The further south you go it is like being in another country.

[late_bloomer]

dodge guy wrote:
OH NO! a low of 30deg?!!! whatever shall we do!! BTW this morning it is -10 here in the Chicago suburbs (Monday is looking at a high of -10!!!!!!)

That's why I'm in Florida. I did enough time in New England to have a thorough appreciation for the cold. And now I appreciate that I'm not there! :C

[NanciL]

My criteria from long time experience.
At 32 degrees your water won't freeze in your pipes. There is a tiny bit of of insulation that the pipes give them.
If the temp gets down to 27 and there is a high wind blowing directly on the pipes, they will freeze fairly quick. Wind chill is a big factor in how quick the pipes will freeze.
If you leave the water running, even if the temp gets down to zero, they won't freeze.

Jack L