Winterization Question November 10, 2008, 02:15:25 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97161I've read the winterization paper in the FAQ section. It was very informative and I am going to print a copy of it to have in the RV. My question involves how to avoid winterizing our LD. We just purchased our 22' FL this weekend. We live in Eastern Washington State where the temperature drops below freezing in late December and last through February. We will be using the LD to haul our motorcycles during this time and want to have access to the bathroom and sink. I have talked to my dad who owns a 30' IB and he suggested that I place a space heater inside the RV while its parked at home and put the heater's temperature at 42 degrees.My question is what steps do I need to take to safely avoid winterizing the LD so we can use it during the winter months?Thanks:Rob
Re: Winterization Question Reply #1 – November 10, 2008, 02:43:31 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97162Quote I've read the winterization paper in the FAQ section. It was very informative and I am going to print a copy of it to have in the RV. QuoteMy question involves how to avoid winterizing our LD. We just purchased our 22' FL this weekend.We live in Eastern Washington State where the temperature drops below freezing in late December and last through February. We will be using the LD to haul our motorcycles during this time and want to have access to the bathroom and sink. I have talked to my dad who owns a 30' IB and he suggested that I place a space heater inside the RV while its parked at home and put the heater's temperature at 42 degrees.My question is what steps do I need to take to safely avoid winterizing the LD so we can use it during the winter months?Thanks:Rob Rob, a space heater will keep probably the water tank and anything else in the interior from freezing but will not prevent the black and gray holding tanks from freezing up since they are under the LD and exposed to the ambient temp. You could use antifreeze in your holding tanks if you wanted to mess with that. If you use a space heater, be sure to keep the cabinet doors open/ajar wherever there are pipes such as under toilet room sink and kitchen sink. I'm not sure where the water tank is on your model so perhaps someone else can verify that a space heater will prevent it from freezing. I am also assuming it doesn't get bitter cold in your area, that is, 15 degrees and colder.Chris
Re: Winterization Question Reply #2 – November 10, 2008, 02:51:18 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97163We lived for 17 years in the Spokane area, so we know how cold it can get there. Here is what I did to keep the pipes from freezing, and still make the RV available when needed. I put one of the winterizing kits on the water pump which is nothing more than a two-way valve that goes in the water line between the water tank and the pump. When you are ready to protect the system, you drain the water tank, drain the hot water heater (need the bypass kit there too) and fill the pipes with potable anti-freeze. That's the pink stuff. It only takes a gallon to fill everything, including some to run in the shower drain and toilet. After you have drained the tanks, you attach a hose to the valve and turn the knob so that the pump is pulling from the anti-freeze bottle instead of the water tank. Turn on the pump and open each faucet long enough to get the pink flowing. Start with the faucet farthest from the pump. After opening each faucet for a few moments, flush the toilet and you are done. Switch the valve back and remove the suction hose. This does require the expense of one-gallon of anti-freeze each time you want to use the RV, but it's relatively inexpensive. The entire process shouldn't take more than 5 minutes. When you are ready to use the RV, fill the water tank and run the faucets until the water is clear. You don't have to worry about getting all the anti-freeze out of the system because it is potable which means it won't hurt you if ingested. You can run the heater too, but I don't trust using just a heater when it's 20 below zero. If you do use a heater, I recommend the oil-filled radiator type. I would keep the temperature set to at least 50, if not 60F. The other nice thing about keeping a heater going is that where you live you get a lot of moisture inside the RV, and the heater helps keep that minimized. Be sure and keep all your cupboard doors and/or drawers open that lead to any place with water lines.Dick - Dewey Arizona
Re: Winterization Question Reply #3 – November 10, 2008, 02:53:57 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97164That would be a toasty warm winter night in Eastern Washington. :-)DickI am also assuming it doesn't get bitter cold in your area, that is, 15 degrees and colder.Chris
Re: Winterization Question Reply #4 – November 10, 2008, 03:03:49 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97165I am Quotealso assuming it doesn't get bitter cold in your area, that is, 15 degrees and colder. Oh, yes, it can get that cold and colder in Eastern Washington! We spent 8 years living in Spokane and one year had a week of 30 BELOW weather! Granted, that was a bit unusual, but 15 degrees would NOT be unusual.Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Re: Winterization Question Reply #5 – November 10, 2008, 03:15:22 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97166Thanks. We live in Richland Washington which is two hours south east of Spokane. Rarely does the temp go into the teens for us but it does happen occasionally. http://clk.atdmt.com/MRT/go/119463819/direct/01/[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Winterization Question Reply #6 – November 12, 2008, 11:49:33 pm Yahoo Message Number: 97216Hi Robert,
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