Being in the midwest I have really found that I love fall camping. I am planning another outing later this month so I've been watching the weather forecasts rather closely. Midwest weather can be very up and down this time of year. It seems that there will be a cold front coming down on us this weekend with overnight low temps dropping below freezing ( mid to high 20's ) and day time highs up to the mid to high 50s. The forecast is for about 3 or 4 days of this and then lows climb back above freezing.
I'd rather not fully winterize yet because of my planned trip. Would I be ok just to drain the water from the fresh water tank, the water heater, and to depressurize the system by opening faucets and running the pump dry? I could then refill the tank and re-pressurize when were ready to go on our outing without having to flush it all out.
You've got an HTT. I would say you'd PROBABLY be safe as long as all of your water lines are inside the trailer.
Mine are, but if I was concerned, I wouldn't dump all the water and pump out the lines. I'd simply turn the heater
in the HTT to 45 to 50 degrees for those few days.
You will get more damage in the water lines if you try and pump all the water out and not winterize.
The water you couldn't get out will freeze easier and quicker.
If the lines are full, you should be less likely to have any damage occur.
With a big swing of temperatures (now goes from hot summer days to freezing temps here on nearly daily bases). I would winterize it and leave all fresh water plumbing alone. Take water jugs (will not freeze overnight - due to thermal mass) and do the old pot or kettle for hot water.
You can still use the drain on most units as long as there is no "p-trap" and uses the flexible hose like
I personalty use a small Dollar store wash bin (that actually fits into my sink) and use that for a sink in the cold weather. Just toss the used water out on the ground or in a 5 gal bucket.
All it takes is a bit of a cold snap and a thin water line to freeze and you have a big mess to clean up and fix. That happened at our cabin (not RV) several years ago....mind you was left running for 3 days....... What a MESS! Now winterize whenever there is frost or freezing temps coming..... ands stays like that until spring. (regardless of trips in between)
I have been wondering whether or not I need to winterize as well.
I have a PUP that has a fresh water holding tank that I have never put water in (it's completely dry). I don't have a toilet, shower or hot water heater. All I have is a tiny sink that I connect to the cold water hook-up at the campsite.
If I ensure that all of the water is blown out of the sink hoses, do I need to put anti-freeze in? I'm in the Philadelphia area, so we do get freezing temperatures. The PUP will be in my fully enclosed garage for the winter.
Thanks!!!
Marcie
Freeze one thing - say a pump -that is well over 50 buck to replace!
For under $5 investment - it is well worth it. Takes 15 mins to pour it into your empty fresh water tank and run the taps till everything come out colored - run all taps and toilet for a few second to fill drain traps - empty the grey/black water tanks if you have - done.
Spring - run taps till pump is dry. Fill with a gallon of water and run all taps till dry. Repeat. Then good to go. This is overkill as most use Propylene glycol -WHICH is an approved food additive often used in medicines, cosmetics, foods, toothpaste, shampoo, mouth wash, hair care, antibacterial lotions, saline solutions, tattoo ink, and tobacco products just to list a few....
I did it!! I was so nervous about it (first timer) but it was eazy-peazy. Rosey is snug as a bug in our garage for the winter.
I haven't removed the battery yet - was planning to do that and bring it into the house for the winter. I read somewhere that you should occasionally charge it up, but I have no idea how to do that - I'm such a newbie. Is there something specific I should use to keep the charge up on the battery?
Thanks!!
Marcie
Well I dont know if many PUPs have a low point drain. (I know mine does not). But I imagine your HTT does. Drain all water tanks completely, open faucets, pull open the low point drains. then pull the trailer for a few miles (with all points open). I am confident that this will protect you for a few days.
Howver, when you are done for the season. Use anti-freeze and do it right.
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