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  1. #1
    Setting Up Camp etxranch's Avatar
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    Freezing for only one night

    What should I do when temperatures drop below 32F (mid 20s) for only one night while I'm not using the RV?

    My imagine 19RLE is parked under the sun and can be plugged for electricity and city water.

  2. #2
    Site Sponsor orbiker's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by etxranch View Post
    What should I do when temperatures drop below 32F (mid 20s) for only one night while I'm not using the RV?

    My imagine 19RLE is parked under the sun and can be plugged for electricity and city water.
    You could set the furnace to come on at 45*..
    Backpacker and tent camper all my life, including BSA as a kid and adult.
    Motorcycle trips across the USA with a tent - 1978 to Present.
    02-10-2005 - 2002 F350 SWD PSD and 2003 Citation 10'8S mostly for Crater Lake Ski Patrol.
    10-29-2015 - 2016 Grand Design 380TH. It's HUGE compared to a camper.
    10-19-2018 - traded truck for a 2016 Ram 3500 DRW Laramie CC 4 X 4 Long Box.
    03-16-2019 - Traded Momentum for a New 2018 374TH-R Solitude
    FULL TIME RV'er Nov 2021

  3. #3
    Seasoned Camper
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    I recently encountered the same situation and called Grand Design to see if they had a recommendation about how warm to set the furnace on my new 21bhe. To my dismay their answer was that any time you get temps below freezing you should winterize as there are vulnerable "fittings" but I was unable to get an answer as to what specifically was vulnerable. Apparently the four season protection package they advertise is really a 3 season package.

    The ability to use the unit in colder weather was one of the main things that drove my selection so this was very disappointing.

    I suspect that the answer I was given was to a large degree a function of covering their backside but I am now wondering whether I can safely use the unit for late fall camping in northern states and have use of water in the trailer.

  4. #4
    Fireside Member BC315RLTS's Avatar
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    At first glance, low point drains would be vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
    2019 Reflection 315RLTS
    2019 Ford F250 Lariat SuperCab PSD SRW

    Former set up:
    2013 Kodiak 291RESL
    2017 Ford F150 Platinum

  5. #5
    Setting Up Camp etxranch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tfgd21bhe View Post
    I recently encountered the same situation and called Grand Design to see if they had a recommendation about how warm to set the furnace on my new 21bhe. To my dismay their answer was that any time you get temps below freezing you should winterize as there are vulnerable "fittings" but I was unable to get an answer as to what specifically was vulnerable. Apparently the four season protection package they advertise is really a 3 season package.

    The ability to use the unit in colder weather was one of the main things that drove my selection so this was very disappointing.

    I suspect that the answer I was given was to a large degree a function of covering their backside but I am now wondering whether I can safely use the unit for late fall camping in northern states and have use of water in the trailer.
    I also called them and since it was only freezing for one night. They told me to drain all the tanks and crack all the faucets. Which I tried once and worked out fine. I even put a electric heater in the underpass and kept the water heater on.

    But now I think about it, that probably cost me more $ than a $10 antifreeze. Might be cheaper and safer just to blow out water from all the lines and add some antifreeze to the tanks..

  6. #6
    Seasoned Camper
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    Quote Originally Posted by BC315RLTS View Post
    At first glance, low point drains would be vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
    I think the lines in the quick connect panel for tank fill and city water as well as the fresh water tank drain could be susceptible to freezing.

  7. #7
    Fireside Member
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    We too have the 19RLE. We have run into the freezing problem too. A service tech told us that we should be good to -10 C but I wasn't convinced. What I have done is open the low point drains, turned on the furnace to 11 C, heated the water in the hot water tank, and placed an electric heater in the Nautilus storage bay. I also have left the freshwater drain valve open. So far we have had a week of below freezing nights (as low as -7 C) and have had no issues other than having to purchase propane. A couple of more nights and we should finally be free of this cold weather! Yipee!

  8. #8
    Rolling Along Houndbb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MBtraveller View Post
    We too have the 19RLE. We have run into the freezing problem too. A service tech told us that we should be good to -10 C but I wasn't convinced. What I have done is open the low point drains, turned on the furnace to 11 C, heated the water in the hot water tank, and placed an electric heater in the Nautilus storage bay. I also have left the freshwater drain valve open. So far we have had a week of below freezing nights (as low as -7 C) and have had no issues other than having to purchase propane. A couple of more nights and we should finally be free of this cold weather! Yipee!
    We did exactly this for two weeks LAST spring. Our furnace only used 1 and 1/2 tanks of LP gas (20lb) over the two weeks. I wouldn’t worry about camping spring or fall, since you’d raise the thermostat if you’re occupying it. BTW, we didn’t drain anything for those two weeks and the water was still connected.
    N
    Bruce and Nancy
    2018 Imagine 2150rb
    2011 Silverado 1500 5.3L

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