Winterizing in Springfield, IL February 26, 2014, 06:06:41 pm Yahoo Message Number: 145148Because of a health problem my wife has, we are leaving the pleasant weather of New Mexico and going home to the brutal winter of Northern Michigan early. We'll have to get out '92 TK winterized enroute. Having friends in Springfield, IL would make it easy for us to get the work done there.Does anyone have a suggestion for RV maintenance around the Springfield, IL area.Thanks,John
Re: Winterizing in Springfield, IL Reply #1 – February 26, 2014, 08:58:15 pm Yahoo Message Number: 145153If you keep the gray/black tanks drained, so you can use them (the drains will freeze up), I would wait until you get home. If you are living in the vehicle, everything else will be fine. Fresh water and all the plumbing is at the inside temp. The weather HAS to break soon, heheh. (media keeps reminding us normal is 44ยบ this time of year, even though single digits are predicted through the weekend ).-Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis
Re: Winterizing in Springfield, IL Reply #2 – February 26, 2014, 10:42:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 145156Thanks Dave,The problem we had
Re: Winterizing in Springfield, IL Reply #3 – February 27, 2014, 08:19:20 am Yahoo Message Number: 145159Hi John, It is frigid and 10 degrees below normal temperatures today here in Lansing, MI. Unless you are very lucky with avoiding travel delays and long stops AND have a covered place back home in northern MI to winterize, I think you would be wise to winterize further south and use rest areas coming north. Then you'll only have to concentrate on getting safely home. This is an unusually brutal winter. High winds and whiteout conditions here made it tough for us to even get out. The best to you both. Have a safe trip. Let us know if we can help further.Diane CarlsonLansing and Williamston, MI 2004 LD MB and Suzuki Sami
Re: Winterizing in Springfield, IL Reply #4 – February 27, 2014, 09:12:30 am Yahoo Message Number: 145161Yes. The only thing you will have trouble with is draining the gray/black tanks, because the the drain valves are exposed to outside temps. If you are not using the shower, you might want to pour a cup of RV antifreeze into the shower drain (the shower trap is basically outside). The freshwater and all the plumbing are inside the cabin and will be as warm as you are.If you are careful and try to minimize water going IN to the tanks, you should be fine. Drain before you see the really cold temps. You can always pour water into the tanks, You just can't get it out, until the drains open up. So be aware of your capacity. I don't know how far north you are going, but the forecast for Pellston and Houghton Lake is well below zero for the next 10 days. Remember, March is almost here... It HAS to get warmer soon!-Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis
Re: Winterizing in Springfield, IL Reply #5 – February 27, 2014, 11:17:51 am Yahoo Message Number: 145164Yes. The only thing you will have trouble with is draining the gray/black tanks, because the the drain valves are exposed to outside temps. If you are not using the shower, you might want to pour a cup of RV antifreeze into the shower drain (the shower trap is basically outside). The freshwater and all the plumbing are inside the cabin and will be as warm as you are. Here is a fix for the shower trap. Check with a camper dealer to see if they have 1 !/4 waist/ DVD plastic fittings. Get a trap that has a clean out at the bottom. I found it just a easy to convert it to 1 1/2 trap. Now you only need to remove the cap from the bottom of the trap and not add antifreeze. If I'm dry camping and the temps are below freezing I just leave the cap a little loose so that the last of the water in the trap will drip out and no need to add antifreeze. To winterize the camper I remove the cap and put it in a plastic sandwich bag and hang it from the curtain rod. Easy to find in the spring.
Re: Winterizing in Springfield, IL Reply #6 – February 27, 2014, 11:36:42 am Yahoo Message Number: 145165I don't mind sleeping in cooler conditions; in fact, 50 degrees is my optimal sleeping temperature. However, recently while camping in the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, I woke up to temps in the 30's *inside* the rig. That was with the catalytic heater running on high. The nights were windy and outdoor temps were in the low teens at times. Thankfully, no pipes froze and neither did I, although I did shiver a bit after getting up in the morning! Leave the MH thermostat in the on position but set it as low as it will go. That is most likely 40*. Now if the catalytic will not keep the MH warm the furnace will kick in. You will be suppressed how little it will run. And far cheaper that a 2nd cat; and where to put it. The problem with a cat is they run all the time but the furnace will only came on when needed if the 1st cat will not keep the temp up.
Re: Winterizing in Springfield, IL Reply #7 – February 27, 2014, 12:36:31 pm Yahoo Message Number: 145168Thanks Diane,o brutalThat's what our thoughts were also. I spoke to my son today in traverse city and they're expecting 15 below tonight. We're usually a little lower than Traverse City where we live.We're thinking now that we should get it winterized down south and use rest stops like you suggest. We would probably stay in motels if it gets too brutal.John
Re: Winterizing in Springfield, IL Reply #8 – February 27, 2014, 12:40:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 145169Thanks Dave,We are between Houghton Lake Pellston and are aware of the temperature predictions. Really wish we weren't headed that way!!John
Re: Winterizing in Springfield, IL Reply #9 – February 27, 2014, 08:36:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 145174Hi Diane,Thanks again.Sometime in April I'll be coming through your area. Any chance of taking a peek at your MD. I love out little 22' TK, but we're beginning to think about something a bit bigger. As you are probably aware, there aren't a lot of LD's in our part of the world.John
Re: Winterizing in Springfield, IL Reply #10 – February 28, 2014, 05:48:27 am Yahoo Message Number: 145175Pellston, MI is at an air temperature of -34 F right now. My uncle Warren used to call it the icebox of Michigan. This is way below the "cold weather" design temperature of 28 F for the LD. I wouldn't risk your trip or the LD by delaying winterizing. Hope you are safe and found some dry pavement.Best wishes,Diane Carlson and Ken Armock 2004 LD MB Deja BlueSent by Di's ipad
Re: Winterizing in Springfield, IL Reply #11 – March 02, 2014, 03:02:18 pm Yahoo Message Number: 145205John,Now that you're a member of the GLLDCC Yahoo Group, take a look at the Jan 27 message from the Wagonmasters for our spring rally which will be at Shipshewana, IN fromThursday, May 15 - Sunday, May 18, 2014. We often have about 15 rigs of various floorplans and ages and are always happy to show them off and answer questions.Come join us - we all hope northern Indiana will be thawed out by then. If you need more information let us know.Ray Hetterscheidt - GLLDCC Yahoo Group Moderator
Re: Winterizing in Springfield, IL Reply #12 – March 03, 2014, 08:13:27 am Yahoo Message Number: 145214Thanks Ray,I'm certainly going to try to get to Indiana in May. I grew up in South Haven, MI and lived in Coldwater, mi for 10 years, so I'm familiar with the area.John
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