To winterize or not to winterize...

[The Cramblersons]

....That is the question. Here's the scenario:

We live outside Denver and plan to travel south in our Voltage on and off throughout the winter, but we'll be keeping the trailer parked here, outdoors when not in use. The notion of winterizing/de-winterizing for each trip does not excite me so I am curious whether using other tactics when parked makes better sense.

For instance; could we simply make sure all grey & blank tanks and fresh water tanks are empty, and drain the plumbing from the low water shutoffs on the belly? We'd use our solar panels to keep the batteries charged, throw some covers over the AC units, and check on it every week or so.

Am I over-thinking the winterizing complication? Am I missing anything else? Is what I outlined above reasonable for 0F-20F overnights on/off for 3-4 months?

[wahoonc]

Is that 20°F or -20°F

BTW I found out the hard way that Scotch freezes at -16°F

If you are only going to hit the 20's I would just blow the lines with air as part of my drain down procedure, colder than that... I know some guys that use that down to 0° and do just fine. Don't forget the outside shower!

We "might" get lows in the 20's. I blow the lines but keep the heat on low, and keep water in the on board tank. The RV is our back up if the power goes out in the winter.

Aaron

[Soccerloco]

I live in similar temps to Denver. We use our voltage all year. So easy to winterize and I love the peace of mind




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2014 V3005 Voltage Toy Hauler
2012 Dodge Ram 2500. Firestone Bags. 1 ton+ leaf spring pack basically stock

[MartyG]

I live in SC, and I put in the pink stuff when it's expected to freeze. I checked Denver historicals, and while the low averages about 21degrees, it has gotten far below zero often in the history. As a minimum, drain as you said, blow out the lines with a compressor fitting on the fresh water inlet, set no higher than 30 psi. Finally, pour the pink stuff in each drain to flush out the trap water, and keep the toilet 1/4 full of pink stuff. But if you've done all that, you're just about 10 minutes away from capping the low points, and sucking up pink stuff at the water pump. BTW, don't forget to drain the water heater.

[The Cramblersons]

Originally Posted by Soccerloco

I live in similar temps to Denver. We use our voltage all year. So easy to winterize and I love the peace of mind

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2014 V3005 Voltage Toy Hauler
2012 Dodge Ram 2500. Firestone Bags. 1 ton+ leaf spring pack basically stock

I guess I need to go back and look at the instructions for winterizing. What do you do with the anti-freeze each time you return the trailer to service?

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by The Cramblersons

I guess I need to go back and look at the instructions for winterizing. What do you do with the anti-freeze each time you return the trailer to service?

Flush it out.

I did forget to mention that I do dump RV anti-freeze down each of my drains after blowing the water lines clear. My current unit supposedly has the water-less p-traps in it, but I ain't taking chances.

Aaron

[lcv800]

Okay Aaron, did disaster befall you when you found out scotch freezes at -16?
Rusty

[MartyG]

Originally Posted by The Cramblersons

I guess I need to go back and look at the instructions for winterizing. What do you do with the anti-freeze each time you return the trailer to service?

Unlike automobile antifreeze, the pink RV stuff is not poisonous. Just run both hot and cold from both fresh tank and city water. When all runs clear, every way, return the water heater to regular, I.e. non-bypass mode. Just let the pink stuff go into the tanks for the next dump.

[Soccerloco]

Originally Posted by The Cramblersons

I guess I need to go back and look at the instructions for winterizing. What do you do with the anti-freeze each time you return the trailer to service?

Flush water out of system and go. Never use water from rv to drink. When it's 15 below I am relaxed knowing I am winterized. When I arrive home from a trip I drain water heater drain gray water and use the rv antifreeze using the winterizing system. Probably takes 10 to 15 minutes


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2014 V3005 Voltage Toy Hauler
2012 Dodge Ram 2500. Firestone Bags. 1 ton+ leaf spring pack basically stock

[gazingm42]

It only takes a little water to be trapped in a small pex pipe T that did not drain to cause issues. So I would winterize.

[MartyG]

[QUOTE=Soccerloco;44999 Never use water from rv to drink. [/QUOTE]
I will religiously keep the fresh tank clean with a bleach water, then 2X fresh water rinse. I want to be able to drink it. For coffee, for taking a pill, or just a sip of water.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by lcv800

Okay Aaron, did disaster befall you when you found out scotch freezes at -16?
Rusty

My brilliant company thinks I need to visit our NY location(s) in the dead of winter. I honestly think they do it on purpose.

Never thought about scotch freezing, I had already pulled my water bottles out of the car. Forgot about the scotch in the car trunk. It was a Christmas present from one of my co-workers. Fortunately it had just started to freeze and didn't expand enough to break the bottle. It got down to -24°F that night.

Aaron