Hello Guest!

Protecting rv from freeze

  • 14 Replies
  • 11579 Views
*

Rick Leddon

  • ****
  • 61
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: 3/16
  • Model: 2910
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: cream
  • ExtColor: brown
  • Location: texas
Protecting rv from freeze
« on: February 08, 2021, 05:46:05 pm »
I'm in Dallas, forecast is for 10 degrees Sat. night. I am not in the area and it will be tough to winterize. The RV is in a very large barn and in years past there as been no need to winterize, but 10 degrees is the worst we have had. Last time it got cold outside was 25, inside the building was 38.. I'm thinking the inside building temp will be warmer. I can have my son go out and put a heater in the rv, open cabinets and doors. I can also have him turn on the pump and drain the water. He does have the skill to do much more. Do you think I will be ok.

*

bftownes

  • *****
  • 267
    • View Profile
    • The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: September 27, 2018
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2019
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Desert Sand
  • ExtColor: Toast
  • Location: Georgetown, TX
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2021, 07:19:42 pm »
I live in Georgetown, TX, several miles south of Dallas.  I lived in Richardson, TX for 25 years.  I looked at the Dallas forecast and it appears that sub-freezing weather will be in the Dallas area for 4-5 days.  In addition to what you have said, I would also suggest turning on the water heater.  The tank is vulnerable, being located near the exterior wall.  It sounds like you are hooked to electricity(?).   With the heater inside, as you described, the water heater on, I personally think you will be fine.  There really isnt much more you can do under the circumstances.  Last winter, the temps in Georgetown were gonna be very cold.  I turned on the gas furnace for one night and set the thermostat as low as it would go.  I store in covered spot that that has a 20 amp plug. 

Cheers :)(:
Barry T

*

2 Lucky

  • ******
  • 393
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: 02/27/18
  • Model: 2551
  • ModelYear: 2010
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Cherry
  • ExtColor: Classic Umber
  • Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2021, 07:50:48 pm »
It would be pretty easy to have your son drain the water tank and water heater, open the faucets (don't forget  the outside shower,) and open the low point drains. Pour some rv antifreeze in the sinks and shower drains, getting some to the macerator by opening the grey dump valve. Run the pump a bit.  If the barn is pretty airtight I would not use propane for heat, use electric if possible. If you have 30 amp in the barn don't worry about draining anything, just leave the heat, tank heaters,  and water heat on.

And, almost forgot, have a wee dram of whisky to keep yourself warm :)(: (exactly)
« Last Edit: February 08, 2021, 07:52:37 pm by 2 Lucky »
Riding the fine line between bravery and stupidity since infancy.

*

hebegb

  • ***
  • 16
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 3/2/2019
  • Model: 2552
  • ModelYear: 2019 Ford
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: toast
  • ExtColor: toast
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2021, 10:01:52 pm »
We keep our 2552 garaged at our home here in NC and the temp inside the garage usually runs 7-10 degrees warmer than outside during winter.  During a cold spell (about 26F or colder I connect to shore power and run a radiator heater on low.  Open cabinet doors and shower door.  Turn on tank heaters.  Coach temp stays in the 40's or above.  We are blessed to have the coach at home and garaged so have never had to winterize.

*

Ron Dittmer

  • *******
  • 5647
  • Ron and Irene
    • View Profile
    • My 2007 2350 Phoenix Cruiser
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: June 2007
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2007
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
  • ExtColor: Full Body Gray
  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2021, 10:28:52 am »
We keep our 2552 garaged at our home here in NC and the temp inside the garage usually runs 7-10 degrees warmer than outside during winter.  During a cold spell (about 26F or colder I connect to shore power and run a radiator heater on low.  Open cabinet doors and shower door.  Turn on tank heaters.  Coach temp stays in the 40's or above.  We are blessed to have the coach at home and garaged so have never had to winterize.
You have an excellent arrangement.

We have a similar situation here near Chicago though we rely on a serious natural gas heater.  I keep the garage temp set to 60 degrees all winter long but warm it better when working in there.  I have one of those types you see in auto shops, a cube attached to the ceiling.  It's noisy but does the job well.  Ideally we would have had heat in the floor with a boiler, but we built our house in 1988 on a very tight budget.  We installed the cube heater 10 years later.  Being under the house and partially underground, prior to having the heater, the garage floor would freeze when it got exceptionally cold.
« Last Edit: February 10, 2021, 10:33:40 am by Ron Dittmer »
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

*

Rick Leddon

  • ****
  • 61
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: 3/16
  • Model: 2910
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: cream
  • ExtColor: brown
  • Location: texas
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2021, 11:38:23 am »
Thanks for all the advice. I will have the water drained and turn on the water heater. It is now forecasted to be a high of 16 and a low of 7 on Monday.  Yesterday, my son reported it was 34 outside, 43 in the barn, 78 in the rv. I have a space heater running in the rv. It was been suggested I turn on the tank heaters. Can someone advise how to do this, I have a 2014 2910. Thanks for all the help.

*

bftownes

  • *****
  • 267
    • View Profile
    • The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: September 27, 2018
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2019
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Desert Sand
  • ExtColor: Toast
  • Location: Georgetown, TX
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #6 on: February 10, 2021, 11:48:50 am »
Thanks for all the advice. I will have the water drained and turn on the water heater. It is now forecasted to be a high of 16 and a low of 7 on Monday.  Yesterday, my son reported it was 34 outside, 43 in the barn, 78 in the rv. I have a space heater running in the rv. It was been suggested I turn on the tank heaters. Can someone advise how to do this, I have a 2014 2910. Thanks for all the help.
I have a 2019 3100.  The tank heaters switch is located in the bath, above the switch for the onboard water pump.  I am assuming tank heaters were installed in 2014?

*

Ron Dittmer

  • *******
  • 5647
  • Ron and Irene
    • View Profile
    • My 2007 2350 Phoenix Cruiser
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: June 2007
  • Model: 2350 Ford
  • ModelYear: 2007
  • Slide: No
  • IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
  • ExtColor: Full Body Gray
  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2021, 12:33:25 pm »
I don't understand why the tank heaters should be on.  If the tanks are drained and valves are left open, there is nothing to keep warm.
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

*

donc13

  • *******
  • 1358
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 03/2015
  • Model: 2551
  • ModelYear: 2015
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Nightscape/Hickory
  • ExtColor: White/Nightscape
  • Location: Colorado
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2021, 03:09:15 pm »
Thanks for all the advice. I will have the water drained and turn on the water heater. It is now forecasted to be a high of 16 and a low of 7 on Monday.  Yesterday, my son reported it was 34 outside, 43 in the barn, 78 in the rv. I have a space heater running in the rv. It was been suggested I turn on the tank heaters. Can someone advise how to do this, I have a 2014 2910. Thanks for all the help.

Do NOT turn on the water heater if you drain it!   First of all, no need, second of all, without water in it, you can ruin it and/or create a fire!

Always best to simply drain it!   There will be some water left but that won't hurt anything if it freezes due to the shape of the tank.

Don
---
Don and Patti

*

bftownes

  • *****
  • 267
    • View Profile
    • The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: September 27, 2018
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2019
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Desert Sand
  • ExtColor: Toast
  • Location: Georgetown, TX
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2021, 03:51:10 pm »
This thread is starting to resemble the answers to... "what is the best TP to use in my RV and should I flush it" :lol

Cheers :)(:
Barry T

*

Rick Leddon

  • ****
  • 61
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: Used
  • PurchDate: 3/16
  • Model: 2910
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: cream
  • ExtColor: brown
  • Location: texas
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2021, 04:19:35 pm »
I can't locate the switch for the tank heaters. It was advised that it was in the bathroom by the water pump switch, but didn't find it there. Any other ideas. Thanks

*

bftownes

  • *****
  • 267
    • View Profile
    • The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: September 27, 2018
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2019
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Desert Sand
  • ExtColor: Toast
  • Location: Georgetown, TX
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #11 on: February 10, 2021, 05:09:13 pm »
I can't locate the switch for the tank heaters. It was advised that it was in the bathroom by the water pump switch, but didn't find it there. Any other ideas. Thanks

Assuming the holding tanks are not empty, pour some "pink" in the gray tank and also the black tank. 

*

donc13

  • *******
  • 1358
    • View Profile
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: 03/2015
  • Model: 2551
  • ModelYear: 2015
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Nightscape/Hickory
  • ExtColor: White/Nightscape
  • Location: Colorado
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #12 on: February 10, 2021, 05:15:54 pm »
I can't locate the switch for the tank heaters. It was advised that it was in the bathroom by the water pump switch, but didn't find it there. Any other ideas. Thanks

Are the tanks drained?  If so, no need to heat the tanks.  It's always a good idea to drain the Grey and black tanks when you "store" the RV, even if just for a few days.   And always make sure you drain any residual in the manual dump outlet.  A short piece of slinky hose into a bucket is good for that, presuming you have drained tanks!
---
Don and Patti

*

bftownes

  • *****
  • 267
    • View Profile
    • The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: September 27, 2018
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2019
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Desert Sand
  • ExtColor: Toast
  • Location: Georgetown, TX
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2021, 05:37:27 pm »
I can't locate the switch for the tank heaters. It was advised that it was in the bathroom by the water pump switch, but didn't find it there. Any other ideas. Thanks

The more I think about it, the tank heaters may have been an "option".


*

bftownes

  • *****
  • 267
    • View Profile
    • The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends
  • OwnPC: Yes
  • NewUsed: New
  • PurchDate: September 27, 2018
  • Model: 3100
  • ModelYear: 2019
  • Slide: Yes
  • IntColor: Desert Sand
  • ExtColor: Toast
  • Location: Georgetown, TX
Re: Protecting rv from freeze
« Reply #14 on: February 10, 2021, 05:39:52 pm »


Are the tanks drained?  If so, no need to heat the tanks.  It's always a good idea to drain the Grey and black tanks when you "store" the RV, even if just for a few days.   And always make sure you drain any residual in the manual dump outlet.  A short piece of slinky hose into a bucket is good for that, presuming you have drained tanks!
[/quote]

Completely emptying the holding tanks before storing the moho may not be an option.  Just a thought.  I think I am done with this thread.   (cheer)

Cheers  :)(:
Barry T