Robert6401
Gilbert, SC
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I live in South Carolina, where it doesn't get COLD until usually January and February. My question is, for the months of November and December, when maybe one night a week the temps will drop below freezing for a few hours at most, can I just turn on the RV furnace to protect the pipes from freezing on the nights that it does? I'm fairly certain that my rig doesn't qualify as a 4-season unit, and I don't think there is any insulation to speak of around the pipes and tanks. The only water in any of the tanks would be residual water left over after draining. My concerns are mainly about the pipes, pump, water heater.
I would rather just turn the heat on and use that small amount of power and propane then have to go through the hassle of winterizing when I intend to keep using the rig throughout the winter.
Thanks,
Bob
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FXSTOHIO
Ohio
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Not knowing how cold it will be and how long it will stay below freezing it is hard to say its like most things you take your chance. I would open all cabinets and doors so heat gets in every place. I would turn on the hot water bypass valves and drain the tank and if you have an enclosed under belly you might be ok.
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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I agree with FXSTOHIO. An enclosed underbelly and under-floor furnace ducting will help a great deal; without it, it's a real gamble. If it's going to be below freezing for more than a few hours at a stretch, you could have a problem if you don't have that kind of setup.
If you don't drain the water heater, then turn it on for the freezing period.
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Art D
Louisiana
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Here in South Louisiana, I use a small electric heater and open all cabinet doors and raise up the bed. Don't drain water heater. That works for a several hour dip below 32F. If lower, then I drain everyting and blow it out.
Geaux LSU
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trop-a-cal
Palm Coast Fl
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You can also drip the faucets that keeps warm water from supply moving.
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npenn
Oregon
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Art D wrote:Here in South Louisiana, I use a small electric heater and open all cabinet doors and raise up the bed. Don't drain water heater. That works for a several hour dip below 32F. If lower, then I drain everyting and blow it out.
Ditto you can get a small tire compressor (tank) very reasonable at Harbor Freight and water air adapter to blow them out easily and quickly. Put a small amount antifreeze down each drain. Takes me maybe half hour to do all the above. Good to go for some very low temperatures.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Hi Robert6401,
I think it would be best to drain the water heater and blow the lines out with an oiless air compressor. This takes about 15 minutes in general.
While you could set the furnace low--it will probably be a higher setting than is absolutely necessary to prevent freezing.
If you have power at the storage location the pump can be protected by wiring two 100 watt bulbs in series and connecting them to a mechanical thermostat. Place the thermostat close to the pump and the bulbs on either end of it.
Regards, Don
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alaskan-rver
Anchorage, AK
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Remember that a built-in furnace consumes quite a bit of propane, and the fan can really draw down your batteries.
If you are connected to shore power, consider instead using a portable electric space heater.
Either way, remember to open the cabinet doors wherever you have piping or tanks to allow the hot air to get to them.
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tvman44
Southwest Louisiana
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Same here except I put a small electric heater in the 5er and set it just above freezing and open all cabinet doors.
Art D wrote:Here in South Louisiana, I use a small electric heater and open all cabinet doors and raise up the bed. Don't drain water heater. That works for a several hour dip below 32F. If lower, then I drain everyting and blow it out.
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davidj54
South Alabama
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I've done it for three years. It only gets below freezing a few nights a year here so it works for me. I set the t-stat on the lowest setting and leave it on all the time. I check it every few days to make sure something hasn't tripped or one of the propane cylinders hasn't ran out. I do drain the pipes just because the low points stick out below the underbelly. I run the furnace instead of trying to use electric heaters because the furnace ducting heats the underbelly and the tanks whereas an electric heater wouldn't. Just something to think about.
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