Cardinal RV Club

Since my 31RK has been in warranty repair for most of the last month, we would like to camp next week. But, I want to avoid the water pipes/tanks freezing while it is sitting unused at home. I assume opening cupboards and putting a heater inside should do it, but what about the hot water tank--since it's outside? What temperature (minimum for energy conservation) inside the rig should I maintain to avoid this freezing? Any other caveats? Thanks. Mark

When we were full timing we would leave the heat in our house at 40 degrees. Not sure if this helps or not. The other thing is you could leave the hot water heater on.

This is what I do to winterize, my rig sits in storage so I do not have the luxury of having a heater running on the real cold nights.

1. Drain hot water tank when done blow some air in the system to empty filter housing.
2. Drain fresh water tank
3. Take off cap for water fill low point and blow out
4. By pass hot water heater
5. Open all faucets and blow out
6. Close all faucets then open two low point drains and blow out.
7. Put on caps for low points and flip open valve for antifreeze
8. Turn on pump fill lines then open one faucet at a time to bleed antifreeze through then turn on pump for a second and proceed through the rest of the trailer.
9. When finished turn on pump to build some pressure then close valve for antifreeze so it gets to the back of the trailer.
10. Pour antifreeze in traps.

I guess I wasn't clear on what I wanted. My interest is the 5er. We want to have it ready to camp in at any time, but want to protect it from freezing the water lines WHILE IT IS UNUSED AT HOME. I guess I could drain the hot water tank, leaving the rest of the pipes with water in them and run the heater inside the rig. I would rather not run the hot water tank 24/7 while not using the rig. Maybe that's the answer? thanks.

Markj I Drain the hot water heater and hook up the water line and stand back the junk comes out of the water heater drain quick . Yes I got a shirt full , then turn the by pass valve and blow out the lines with air dump the bottom drains and blow out again . I use R V Anti freeze cheap money

My neighbor doesn't he keeps a heater on in his Motor Home . This year they changed a pile of water lines at the Dealer I'll bet the anti freeze was cheaper , gets cool up here in the windy city

Good Luck Wayne

markj wrote:I assume opening cupboards and putting a heater inside should do it, but what about the hot water tank--since it's outside? What temperature (minimum for energy conservation) inside the rig should I maintain to avoid this freezing?

Hi Mark, it sounds like you an I have the same needs. I too have the my trailer at home and use it during the winter. I have an electric heater in the trailer that keeps the inside trailer temperature between 40-45 degrees. That's all I do during the winter months.

Rob

Lessons learned! I would recommend blowing out the system as I described earlier. Plus like said above RV antifreeze is cheap, I can winterize my rig in 30 min so I can still use it when needed and re-winterize. The reason for the RV antifreeze is I had a trailer that I thought I blew all of the water out of, BUT a little remained in the water pump and the rest was history. So at the very least I like to put a little through the pump. We don't get that cold here with the exception of a week or two a year but in my case the rig is in storage and I cant hook up to power to run a heater which still would have no effect on keeping the pump and lower lines warm.

Just my .02 worth

the better half says we are going to Denver (Bailey @8200 fee) for thanksgiving and birth of a new granddaughter. So I am busy trying to set up for some cold weather camping in the daughter's driveway. No that is real "winterizing" but I love a challenge.

Sounds like an interesting challenge. Since you'll be at your daughter's home I assume you'll be plugged into power. I would plan on using our freshwater tank so you won't have to keep a hose connected. Keep the internal temperature at a comfortable setting and use the electric heat on the water heater.

Rob