Forum Discussion

trop-a-cal's avatar
trop-a-cal
Explorer
Nov 06, 2014

Winterizing in Florida

I still can't allow myself to not winterize, as in 2000 it hit 16 F in January here in Flagler county. I'm hearing this winter 2014-2015 will be very cold in Florida. The non toxic antifreeze was on sale in Ace Hardware a few weeks ago for $1.99 a gallon so bought two and in they go today as even if I use it by going to Key West I'm still not chancing it for the few minutes it takes to blow out the lines and pump it in. Made it 18 years without bursting pipes so far.
Seeking Advice
  • JoeH's avatar
    JoeH
    Explorer III
    Nov 08, 2014
    I winterized once.... that was about 7-8 yrs ago when it looked like we were going to have a few consecutive days and nights of cold weather. I did it a day or so ahead of the front. Now that I'm not working, if it looks like we will be getting a few cold days, I'll think bout heading south before I winterize.
  • Fizz's avatar
    Fizz
    Explorer
    Nov 07, 2014
    Your plumbing should be able to handle -10C or 14F for three full days before any damage is done. That's if the lines are full.
    Open all faucets and the low point drain to flush the system, it's all you need to do.

    This is what I was told at the dealers.
    I haven't tested it.
  • Bob_Vaughn's avatar
    Bob_Vaughn
    Explorer
    Nov 07, 2014
    We lived in Southern MD, for 9 years and never winterized our rv's....Lived in South Georgia 2 years and north florida 4 years never winterized. Why don't you just open your low point drain. It takes a hard freeze for many many days to freeze the lines in your camper unless your lines are underneath on the outside....???
  • robsouth's avatar
    robsouth
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2014
    I lived in deep South Georgia for many years and never once "winterized" a camper, nor did anyone I knew. Damage will mostly occur in a sustained freeze where the temps are below freezing for an extended period. Most all the time, it might reach freezing temps at night, but the next day may rise up to 50 degrees or so and there is no danger of damage to the camper. I may have just been lucky, but so were a lot of others that did the same as me...NADA!
  • Peddler95's avatar
    Peddler95
    Explorer
    Nov 06, 2014
    I just blow out the lines, pour a little antifreeze in the P traps and, on the nights it's going below 30, I put a 60 watt light bulb in the water bay.
  • wanderingbob's avatar
    wanderingbob
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2014
    I just open the cabinet doors and turn on the milk room heater on low for the three nites it gets below freezing in North Florida .
  • NanciL's avatar
    NanciL
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2014
    I can fully understand your point, but I would have waited until a day or two before the big freeze.
    It only take us ten minutes at the most to winterize our 25 foot travel trailer

    Jack L
  • LynnandCarol's avatar
    LynnandCarol
    Explorer
    Nov 06, 2014
    Hope for the best, but plan for the worse! Your method seems to be working and everything we read indicates it may be another wild winter with cold reaching the south.

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