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flat6s View Drop Down
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Joined: 21 Mar 2016
Location: Burlington, Ind
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Posts: 84 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Oh no... freezing
    Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 7:45am
I need advise, please
Leaving thursday.  De winterized Rp180.  Put water in fw tank.  Flushed all lines.  Etc.
Now, it is getting down to 29 and 30 for the next few nights.
Do I need to drain everything to keep from freezing or do you think I will ok
Thanks for your opinion
Joe
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Joined: 21 Mar 2016
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Posts: 84 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 7:59am
I am going to put a heater in the pod hoping that will help.
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Joined: 21 Mar 2016
Location: Burlington, Ind
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Posts: 84 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 8:02am
Ok ...if I blow out all the lines, drain the hot water heater, will a heater inside the trailer keep the pump from freezing ?
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Posts: 473 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 8:03am
In my opinion, it's not worth taking a chance. 10 minutes with antifreeze and you're safe. 

I know many here feel differently. My problem is that water freezes at 32 deg F. That's it, at that temperature it freezes solid, and freezing of pipes and connections is not good. I have, with concern, gone down to 31 deg F without harm for one night. 2 or 3? no.
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Joined: 13 Jan 2012
Location: Lyndonville, VT
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Posts: 4517 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 8:13am
We took a winterizing class at the dealership that we bought our two rpods from. They advised that it take 2-3 days of a constant temp under 32 degrees for stuff to freeze.
It will boil down to peace of mind. It usually takes us 1/2 or hour to so to winterize. I would probably winterize it just for peace of mind and de-winterize as I got further so.

It was makes you more comfortable.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150
2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
Previously owned
2015 Rpod 179
2010 Rpod 171
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 8:17am

From one Hoosier to another....as I see it is snowing outside, as I type:

I think you would probably be OK - especially with a heater on inside. Open any doors and cabinets you can to let warm air circulate. Rather than drain the water heater, how about just turning it on?

I've camped down into the 20s (overnight)and been OK. My unit is still winterized but, if I were in your shoes, I would not be really concerned (with the measures mentioned). Though a little below freezing at night, the temps here in central Indy are supposed to be above freezing during the day.

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Joined: 07 Apr 2016
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 8:22am
flat6s,

I take it the temps warm above freezing during day. The heater will help. Is the heater electric? It takes some persistent cold to freeze 30 gals of water in FW tank. To be safe drain FW tank and water heater, use your heater in Pod, open your cabinet doors. I've camped in freezing temps at night for extended periods.
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 8:34am
Out here in the north of NV we drop below freezing from time to time through the end of April.  It's problematical for sensitive plants in the garden, but with our Pod there is enough residual heat to carry over through the few hours of below freezing temps,   If it's going to be into the high 20's several nights in a row, for several hours, with not very warm days, then we put an electric heater on the floor and open up the cabinets and water heater space to allow warm air from the heater to get in.  

Two or three hours of 29 or 30 degrees isn't likely to freeze your pipes if the day is warm.  If the day stays cold then the risk goes up. In the early and late parts of the camping season, we routinely see temps into the high 20's with relatively warm days.  If it's going to be really cold at night, we may set the heater to go on at 55 and will, as at home, open the cabinets that have water lines.  
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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Joined: 21 Mar 2016
Location: Burlington, Ind
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Posts: 84 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 10:23am
Thanks guys...
So I took all the advice and here is what I did.
Drained the fw tank
Drained low point drains with faucets open
Drained hot water heater. Turned valves to bypass.  Leave access cover off for now.put anode back in
Ran pump for a few seconds hoping to dispel any remaining water in the pump.
Put my small ceramic heater on floor pointing slightly under bed.
Now, after lunch I am going to blow out water lines thru city hook up gently
If ice snowy ice melts off slide out, I will run it in also.
Hopefully when we leave Thursday, I will be all set to put water in fw tank, fill how water heater, open faucets to blow out air and away we go....
Thanks everyone for advice.  I was like in panic mode when I woke up this morning and had to go for a little walk to get planted on earth again.
Dave...always nice to hear from a Hoosier...thank you.
Joe Karen and of course Bessie the Bassett Hound
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 16 Apr 2018 at 10:34am
It started snowing here a a little while ago with temp's right about 32.  I went out to check our Pod and it was 42º inside.  I turned on the gas and the battery and the water pump.  Opened up the cabinet door under the sink and fired up the water heater and furnace for a little bit.  I ran all the water, and when the water heater got the water a little warm, I let some "hot" water run to warm up the pump a little.  Now, it's 50º inside and all is well.  
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost
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