When to Winterize

[AzRocket]

At what temps do you all winterize. I am in southern Az (where we all know its a "dry heat") and my trailer is about 50 miles from me not yet winterized. We are going to the dunes over Thanksgiving. We are having some "cold" weather come in. It will be right around the 32°F mark, plus or minus a few degrees. I would think these freezing temps would have to hang around for hours in order for things to freeze in my trailer. Or the temps would have to be really low for a shorter time. Anyway, do you all think I should drive to winterize it just to go use it in 3-4 weeks or do you think I will be safe? Any insight is appreciated. Thanks.

[Mrs_Rosas]

I'm so glad I found this forum. I am also new to RVing and am looking for the "rule of thumb" when it comes to "winterizing an RV" in So. Az. Example: if the temps will be at/or below freezing for a couple of days and nights, then I should winterize? HELP!

I'm storing the '02 Tioga in an open storage lot south of Tucson in the Sahuarita, AZ area and although we drained the lines and opened the faucets, I didn't think about the water heater. I certainly appreciate your words of wisdom!

[AzRocket]

My Roadtrek wrote:
You never know about the weather in So. AZ. Last year we had a hard freeze for almost a week, (overnight temps 16 degrees) and if one didn't winterize, or take other preventive steps, like running a heater, the plumbing would have froze.

We even had a nice snow day.

I remember that. We were in the same single digits in Sierra Vista and down to almost 0 in Sonoita when that happened. Thanks for everyone's input on the winterizing.

[My_Roadtrek]

You never know about the weather in So. AZ. Last year we had a hard freeze for almost a week, (overnight temps 16 degrees) and if one didn't winterize, or take other preventive steps, like running a heater, the plumbing would have froze.

We even had a nice snow day.

[jmanatee]

I would think a lot depends on the RV. My water systems are enclosed in an insulated compartment. If you have exposed tanks and/or plumbing your situation would be far different then mine.

I don't worry if the night time temperatures stay above the low 20s IF day time temperatures get into the 40s

I do get worried if night time and day time temps stay below 30.

A week or so ago, I saw night time temps forecasted for 22 with a day time in the high 30s so I turned on system heat (water compartment heater) and hot water heater.

This past weekend they forcasted lows of 18 I winterized.

Although water starts to freeze at 32 it will take FOREVER, remember your refrigerator freezer is probably set for zero or less and it takes a couple hours to freeze ice cubes.

The heat soak from daytime high has to be lost before freezing can start.

JMHO

[relaxin]

partsman01 wrote:
Here in Canada water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.:B

that depends on which water your using

😉

[Vulcaneer]

Here in NH, I like to winterize when the temp is at least 55 degrees. Much more comfortable for me to winterize then, than to do it when the temps reach 32 deg F. And then I know it will be ready when the real cold temps hit.

In your case you might think about getting it done ASAP. Unless you're feeling lucky.

[partsman01]

Here in Canada water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius.:B

[skipnchar]

Water freezes at 32 degrees whether it's humid or dry. When temps reach that level it will freeze but the longer it remains that temp the more chance of freeze damage. Make an informed decision and live with the consequences. For late season use with my trailer I just plug into 120 volt power and let the tank heaters do their job.

[crickeydog]

AzRocket wrote:
Any insight is appreciated.

Water freezes at 32 degrees.


Happy camping!!! See y'all down the road!!!:)

[Oasisbob]

I feel the same as you. I winterize when forecast low is 30 or less. We camp almost year round so end up winterizing often. I timed myself at twelve minutes last time. I would rather invest the time than invest in a new water heater or other water damage.

[paulcardoza]

There will be no damage if temps hit 32 for a few hours. Probably safe to go a few degrees lower, but if temps reach 25 or less, I'd be worried.

[rseymour21]

Since you live 50 miles from your RV, probably best going forward to blow out the lines, put a little pink stuff in the traps, drain you hot water heater before you leave each time starting in the fall.

Its a chance to leave it and not winterize! I'd keep watch on the forecast, the weather man might change it!

[Fizz]

When I bought the trailer the dealer told me the temp would have to drop to -10C (14F) for three days in a row before it would do damage.
A lot of people will argue the point but it's safe to say. Don't worry about it.
Last year we hit -35 for a week so we know what cold is.

[old_guy]

I didn't think it ever froze in AZ but then I didn't think it would ever freeze in Florida either but it has wiped out the oranges before.