Using an RV in chilly, but not fridgid weather

[wannabervin]

Is there a way to use a TT, class C, or class A, in the fall or spring, when daytime temps can be quite pleasant, but the mercury might dip below freezing at night? How to avoid frozen (and maybe busted?) water lines if the temp drops below freezing at night?

[CincyGus]

My general rule of thumb has been if half the day is going to be 40 or above, I don't worry about a thing. Run the furnace and maybe open the cabinet doors so heat can get to the pipes. If it's going to be highs slightly over freezing and everything wont get a good chance to thaw during the day or if it's going down below mid twenties overnight, I'll use a well placed small 1500 watt heater and disconnect my water lines overnight. Camp often in Oct, Nov when night time lows are in that range without issues.

[JiminDenver]

Our trailer is a 3 season meaning less insulation, single pane windows and no inclosed belly or heated tanks. We see freezing temps nightly as early as Labor day and as late as June. Some years have seen snow on the 4th of July. We have never frozen up even when the daytime highs only reach the high 30's/ low 40's.

[time2roll]

While in use most any RV is good to about 25 degrees assuming the high for the day is close to 40.
Much lower and I suggest some electric heat where needed.

www.ultraheat.com

[drillking]

Full timed going on five years now. Coldest winter stays were in Trinidad, CO-12 below, other was Winnemucca, NV- 15/20 below. Had good insulation and used a "Spirit" outside water line. Has it's own built in heat tape and sensor. Thankfully never froze up through those winters! Had fun. We don't worry much where we are at in the winter.

[wannabervin]

Thanks for all the great advice. It would seem that I can use my TT for a few more weeks after mid October, when I would have put it away and winterized it. Especially if I stay sour. TT lives in Woodbridge, VA.

[koda55]

We have a class A and the day after Thanksgiving we head for Pa. We camp in a friends front yard. He runs a electrical cord out to the rv so we have electric without running the generator. We just run the furnace and it keeps tank bays warm and nice and warm in the rv.

[pastthings2]

I have used a 1979 dodge 24 ft class c in the mountains with a high of 10 degrees and low of -5 several times for 3 days, snowing 24 inches in 24 hours at Mt Hood Oregon. As long as I had furnance on and propane on water heater all was well except corner of bathtub. Used hair dryer to thaw. Kids had a blast sledding. You will be suprised that winter camping is more fun. No crowds. Beautiful when snowing. Put chains on rig (before it snows and you can go anywhere).

[BarneyS]

In addition to all the suggestions above, open cupboard doors to let heat circulate inside the cabinets where the water lines run. You can also let an inside faucet run slightly if you are hooked up to a drain system.
Barney

[2012Coleman]

Be prepared for all the condensation that will form on the windows. Otherwise, no problem - check your propane levels before traveling.

[tjfogelberg]

We use a small space heater when we're plugged in. It got down into the low 30s a couple of nights last Fall and we had no problems. Follow the advice given here and you should be fine. Winter camping is something I hope never to do.

[stetwood]

If the temp is going to be under freezing overnight disconnect and drain hoses, use your on board tanks.

[Dutch_12078]

Last January we saw temps down to -4F in southern Virginia on our way to Florida. The '95 Coachmen Class A we had at the time handled it just fine, with only a minor freeze up of a stub pipe to our water system pressure tank. That was easily cured in about 5 minutes with a hair dryer. We could have just left it until the temp went up since it didn't affect water use other than making the pump run every time a faucet was opened. The furnace kept us toasty warm inside.

[valhalla360]

A few degrees below freezing and the heating system should keep the water lines from freezing.

-10F and you need to take measures to keep things from freezing.

Sounds like you are talking about the first so I wouldn't worry too much.

[travelcozy]

Like others have said, for a short outing you should be ok. Just be sure to winterize properly.