Freeze protection when towing

[gordofuchs]

My wife and I will begin our first long journey in about a week, from Ohio, south on 77, through West Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, heading southwest to Louisiana. My question is when dealing with possible freezing temps when towing what precautions should I take while underway ? Should the unit be fully winterized, or will the tank heaters provide enough protection.

Thanks in advance.

Gord and Janet Fuchs
Northfield Center, Ohio
Towing a 2015 305RE,
with a 2008 Dodge Diesel, 1 ton

 

[2hams]

I'm no expert, but have read lots of replies to similar posts on RV.net. I tend to be cautious and would rather have a few days of inconvenience than problems to fix. We have done the route of carrying a gallon of water and flushing with pink stuff until far enough south.

Since you are traveling higher elevations, you'll get colder weather. Watch the forecast, there is a blast of cold projected this weekend. Once your daytime travel temps are above 30, you can probably dewinterize.

The weather underground website has a really neat link, something like travel planner, that will show you the forecast for stops along your route.

 

[TucsonJim]

Since the tank heaters won't be in service while you're underway, I'd recommend that all your lines and tanks be winterized if the temps are predicted to be lower than freezing. Freezing lines could cause significant damage which would not be covered under warranty.

 

[pwrplay]

You should fully winterize the plumbing if you'll be in sub freezing temps for any length of time. The tank heaters are just ducting in the underbelly thats fed from the furnace. So if your furnace is not running, the tanks aren't warm.

 

[Tom & Glo]

What are the 12 v tank heaters for? Might they be of some help?

 

[huntr70]

The Solitude does use the dedicated heat pads, whereas the Reflection relies on strictly the duct work from the furnace.


I have also heard of folks just running the furnace to keep temps above freezing.


At a minimum, I would blow out the lines with air. You would have to have several days of sub-freezing temps before any harm would occur.

 

[Bamaman]

It really depends on how cold it's going to get. If I'm just seeing 30 degrees or so, I may not do anything.

We're going to see a big dip in temperatures tomorrow for a couple of days, and I'm heading to my travel trailer to pump rv antifreeze through the lines and drain the hot water heater. I'll be using the bypass valves at that time.

I'll also disconnect the electric lines to my hot water heater--so I don't burn out my heating element (again.)

Like I said, it depends on the weather forecast on what measures to take if you're staying in the trailer.

 

[Conk Shell]

We're brand new at this and heading to Florida from Wyoming in a couple weeks. We're keeping the Solitude winterized until we arrive, but I'm concerned with CONTENTS freezing during transit. (e.g. Cooking oils, health & beauty aids, etc.)
I've heard that some keep their furnace running at a low temp while towing. Is this okay? If so, are there any tips or warnings for doing this?

 

[TucsonJim]

Hi Conk Shell, and welcome to the forum! The average freezing temperature of vegetable oil is 14F. I've never run with the furnace on, but I always run with the refrigerator on. One thing you might consider is to put any of the items you're concerned about in the refrigerator, and set it on it's warmest setting. Just a thought.

 

[Conk Shell]

Thanks for the quick reply, Jim! What about plants? Does anyone take their plants?
I apologize in advance if my questions seem stupid. We are going to full time in this RV,
and I've got a few small succulents I'd love to keep.

 

[SkiSmuggs]

Turn your furnace on to 65 at every rest stop (not at gas stop). That should warm everything up for the next stretch. Can the plants go in the TV?

 

[Conk Shell]

Turn your furnace on to 65 at every rest stop (not at gas stop). That should warm everything up for the next stretch. Can the plants go in the TV?

Probably. Husband is so going to hate me....

 

[Dave and Monica]

What about plants? Does anyone take their plants?

We don't take any plants but I think that they'd survive if you could transport them in your vehicle where it'd be reasonable warm.

Dave

 

[Bamaman]

When on the road, I simply don't carry anything in my graywater tank. In the blackwater tank, I'll just have a gallon or two, and it doesn't require anything. There again, I'm always hooking up to water connections in campgrounds when I get where I'm going.

And I'll have the pink RV antifreeze in my water tank. If temps dip, I'll turn on the 12 volt pump and run enough through the water lines for the pink to show.

When you get south of KY, it really doesn't get below freezing that many nights.

Boy, you guys are taking a round about route to Louisiana. I figured going down to Nashville and Memphis would be the easiest route.

 

[GD350M]

My wife and I will begin our first long journey in about a week, from Ohio, south on 77, through West Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, heading southwest to Louisiana.

You coming down to my part of the world. Mind me asking, whats bringing "y'all" to Louisiana? No Mardi Gras until February! LOL. Hope y'all have a safe trip down to the warm part of the country.