De winterize in Massachusetts or wait for warmer weather in the south

[richd44]

I have a Lance 845 truck camper and plan to go to Florida leaving on March 2nd.  My question is when to de winterize.  If weather permits I could do it before we leave,in Mass. and hope it does not get too cold before we get to the warmer south.  We could also do nothing and wait till we get to Virginia and do it there in a full hook up campground.  My final thought is to do it before we leave and just drain all the water from the camper, travel dry and just add water when it is warm enough in the south.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.  This is our first time doing any driving with the camper in the winter.

thanks

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[valhalla360]

What exactly is your de-winterization process? 

I just close the fresh water tank drain, fill with water and run each tap until it comes out clear...usually just 2-3 gallons. I see no need to do anything ahead of time, just wait till the first night (when presumably, it will be warmer and you will be running the heat anyway)...then fill and go on with life.

[Cybergrunt]

I'm in Iowa and anytime we do a spring break trip (DW is still teaching 6th grade), it is always early March. We just pack, go, and I dewinterize at our first stop. Now my winterization is 15 psi blowing, draining everything and some antifreeze only in P-traps, so getting things all back in service is pretty quick and really there is no flushing of lines needed. Other than closing faucets, capping low point drains, throwing bypass valve and installing the water heater plug, its normal setup at the first overnight. Coming home, I don't gamble, so I winterize it at our last overnight (blow, drain, antifreeze in P-traps).

[Grit_dog]

What would you possibly need to do, unless you filled the potable system with antifreeze?  Guess you’ll need to be more specific what your concerns are to get more accurate advice. 

PS, this is the travel trailer group. (Not that it matters)

[Grit_dog]

Or not….

[opnspaces]

 If there is antifreeze in the pipes I would drain it now and just don't add any water. If you have access to compressed air you can buy an adapter for a couple bucks and blow out the majority of the antifreeze. Just remember low pressure is the name of the game if using compressed air. You don't want to rupture a line by going too high.
Then when you get to the south you can add water and flush out the lines and start camping.

[richd44]

Thanks that's what I was thinking.