Under Belly winter set up

[franktafl]

I guess I’m one of the ones that benefits from this type of thread. As a newbie, I had zero idea how to winterize and what to do to protect myself from the cold during our stays in Boone North Carolina in March.

I can appreciate what others have done to keep from freezing and I’ve learned from the mistakes I’ve made and I attempt to pass what I’ve learned.

We recently traded our Dutchmen for a solitude grand design made for winter. Heaters on all tanks, heated underbelly and storage compartments (which I learned from this forum) and I will place a small ceramic type heater in the storage compartment (which I actually learned from Tom).

I learned that air is better than antifreeze and I learned from experience that the spray port needed to be paid extra attention to. I learned that dumping a couple of gallons of antifreeze into the black tanks helps some and I learned that you should close the gray tank valves in sub freezing temperatures.

So, not being just a fair weather camper, I have come to appreciate the “mobile home” posts.

[ATCguy]

Originally Posted by Witt84z

I would love to know what you did. Maybe start a thread about how to modify the underbelly for winter?

Originally Posted by ATCguy

At the risk of being rude, I say this with all of the kindness that I have… but I just don’t know how to do it without being blunt…

Ok, I need to issue an apology here.

Mea culpa… Mea culpa… Mea maxima culpa. I’m sorry.

I mistook this thread as a continuation of the discussion in a different thread when I posted the reply above. For some reason, I thought I read ‘underpinning’ instead of “underbelly”… which are obviously 2 very different things, with very different circumstances.

So yes… Witt’s suggestion, which I completely misinterpreted, has merit. And I apologize for my response.

[franktafl]

I still love u!

[sundancer 87]

Originally Posted by franktafl

I still love u!

Wait until Tom cleans his shoes off. He stepped in it!

[Ponderer]

Wow ATCGuy, just wow. I'm sad to read this, but since you lambasted me for using my new toy hauler as a "mobile home" I'm not surprised. I have a Beemer too, hope that's not gotten to you, because I've read many of your posts and gleaned a lot from your input on different threads. No one is trying to make a limousine out of a Volkswagen, but to be clear, a well made VW is a form of art to some. Some of us are testing the limits of our rvs, and that's our right, and possibly the thing that unites all rv owners is the need to be in control of one's environment whilst exploring this big beautiful world. I'm a lady by the way, and I'll be doing this rv thing on my own. Your post on garaging your bike was priceless, and probably how I'll lift my 1k pound washing machine into my garage. I have injuries that limit me too. Many people use their rvs in the winter, in colder climates. We do what we want with these amazing trailers. That's part of the magic. Don't be so judgemental sir. We all have our own battle wounds but we're all here to provide support, not be insulted by someone who disagrees with our thinking.

[Ponderer]

Originally Posted by Witt84z

My Dutchman 336BH All Season will not freeze up until it hits 25F with the propane heat set on 70, a heated water hose and running the water for a few minutes before bed. That's with no skirting or any other means of insulating or heating the underbelly.

With the addition of skirting and a halogen construction work light it's good to 15F.

I love this! Hail to the construction work lamps! I'm a newbie and this is my backup plan, exactly, with a skirt of foam board because I haven't ordered my EZ Snap kit yet. Glad I'm not the only one.

[franktafl]

I used heat lamps, four of them, under the tanks. Wind was about 50-those guys did little to no good. Skirting makes sense!

[Ponderer]

Definitely skirting when cold weather arrives. I'll be in an subtropical climate for the first half of the year, then return to Austin, Texas in May, pending a suitable aite is available. Hopefully we (Texas) won't experience a freeze like we did last February before I get my skirting system. My emergency plan, until I have a real skirting system in my possession, is skirting with foamboard and heat lamps underneath, possibly space heaters in the pass through storage area, as well as inside the rv. I'll have a full tank of gas, in both reservoirs, to power my generator if needed. The more I consider camping in cold temperatures, the more I want a DRV Full house.

[franktafl]

We settled on a solitude because the drv weighs so much…

[persistent]

Originally Posted by Witt84z

I would love to know what you did. Maybe start a thread about how to modify the underbelly for winter?

The project had two parts. Work in the under belly was done by the dealer I bought the TT from. The work above the floor, I did.

Here is the link I posted a couple of years ago.

https://www.dutchmenowners.org/forum...ions-7378.html