How cold is "too cold" ?

[dockmasterdave]

I'll start with the question first. How cold does it have to be or for how long, before I need to "winterize".
We live in extreme SWFL, it never really gets cold here. Maybe a couple days a year in a bad winter.
We have an Amerilite 21MBLE with no 4 season package, not even coroplast under belly. It is a moisture barrier then OSB set right on the frame, waste tanks are exposed.
All plumbing lines, I think, are run in the outside walls, fresh water tank and pump are under the bed.
We are thinking about hitting north FL or the pan handle this winter to experience some winter and look at some land.
I was thinking even low 20's would be OK if it warmed up during the day.
I know the waste tanks would take quite a while to freeze solid. How about the supply pipes ? I would fill the fresh water tank and disconnect my water hose, and run off the tank.
Also open to any tips or advice. TIA

[hondapro]

I agree it is so easy to winterize,if in doubt just do it. It is worth the piece of mind.

Also don"t forget to drain the water heater.
After you drain the water heater be carefull not to turn it back on before it is full of water.

[old_guy]

it takes you longer to get the stuff you need to winterize then it takes to winterize. it takes me about an half and hour from start to finish. be to be safe than sorry. I thought i did a good job of it one winter and I had to replace some lines. but that was back in the days when I was young and knew every thing

[MudChucker]

I am assuming you are traveling during the day and have heat on etc at night when sleeping

[MudChucker]

I live in winter extremes...so.long as you reach 50f for several hours a day you are good for 10f lows at night,your unit is radiating heat like crazy, we only get concerned if it.gets windy, we block the wind from going under the unit with two vehicles or pic nice tables or what ever...

[DavidandDayle]

Do you have any heating on the freshwater tank or the waste water tanks? We have heaters on the waste water and a pipe from the furnace to the freshwater tank area.

[donkeydew]

how much can you afford for broken pipes and flooded rv vs a couple gallons of rv antifreeze or compressed air blown lines. why take a chance? if you are like me murphy is just around the corner

[SDcampowneroper]

Trickling water to keep the water lines from freezing is asking for disaster. You may keep the water lines from freezing, but now that water runs very slowly through your 3" waste hose where it can freeze easily. Then you have a 3" poopsickle, that backs up into, fills your grey tank and floods the camper while you sleep.
Do Not trickle unless you also have a heated insulated waste hose.
Even then there is the issue of wasting so much water for so little gain, when proaction will negate all issues.
Ask the camp hosts about what they do. They may shut the water off on cold nights,

[2edgesword]

If the RV has everything in place to winterize (water pump bypass for putting anti-freeze in the lines, bypass for hot water heater) it doesn't take that long to do it, you have peace of mind and you don't have to keep an eye on the weather reports hoping you don't get consecutive days of temperatures in the 20's.

[pianotuna]

below 27 f you need to winterize if the rv is occupied. If it is empty then 32 is where I would do it.

[DutchmenSport]

If in doubt, winterize. Always better to err on the side of caution than to think all is well and be blind sided. Winterizing the water lines takes all of 10 minutes tops! And takes 2 gallons of RV antifreeze - TOPS!

We travel from Indiana to the Florida Pan-Handle, or Indiana to South Carolina every week of Christmas and the 2nd week in March. One time in South Carolina (in March) did the temps get down below freezing, and we did not winterize.

Our normal routine is to watch the weather reports and if predicting daylight temperatures to drop to 32 or below 3 days in a row, I winterize. We use our camper all winter long in addition to the two winter trips in December and March. So, usually, the beginning of November, or middle of November I'll winterize. Plan the December trip. Unwinterize at a KOA in Tennessee for an overnight, and good for the week we are in Florida.

We then head back North, and when we reach Tennessee again, spend another overnight and winterize in the morning before heading back to snow country.

Then in March, we'll head for South Carolina. Again, we like to do an over night at a KOA in Tennessee (and they have full hook-ups working), and I'll unwinterize. Go on to our destination and enjoy the week. Then watch the weather conditions VERY close, and may winterize again returning home the 3rd week in March, only to unwinterize again in early April, as the Indiana State Parks open up with water again.

So, it's not uncommon for us to winter and un-winterize 4 or 5 times a winter. It's so easy, takes virtually no time, doesn't cost but a couple dollars for a gallon of RV antifreeze and gives peace of mind.

So, like I said ... if in doubt ... just do it and don't try to second guess it.


FYI, considering you are in Florida, if weather is predicted below freezing during the day light hours, I think I'd just use an air compressor and just blow the lines out. I've done this too, in combination with the RV (pink stuff) antifreeze.

[Bumpyroad]

a short drop below freezing is no problem. dropping to 20s and staying there I certainly would winterize or at least blow out all lines.
bumpy

[donn0128]

Low 20s you could see lines freeze over night. If your on full hookups, its easiest to leave a faicet dripping, and run heat.