R-pod newbie questions

Here is some info for you:  http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2920&OB=ASC

The temps you describe are too cold to de-winterize.  The toilet is meant to work with pressurized water, either from the potable tank, through the water pump, or while hooked up to "city" water.  But yes, you can just flush with liquid from a jug.  If temps are staying below freezing, that liquid should be rv antifreeze.

Running the heater will not be enough.  The heater can help if a little bit if you're camping and the night time temp dips into the 20s, but not for driving when it never gets above freezing. Almost all of the plumbing is between relatively to totally unprotected by inside heat.  The heater can be run while going down the road -- at least I have done it by mistake.  I don't know if there is a rule about it, but I think it is a bad idea and has just about no value for any purpose whatsoever.

All that said, you can leave home with the trailer winterized and de-winterize at your destination and re-winterize for your return trip.  It's not that much trouble.

How long the propane will last is very dependent on how much you use the furnace and how cold it is outside.  I think the quickest I've gone through a 20lb tank is 3 or 4 days.  That was dry camping with temps in the 20s.  The battery will be an issue in less time unless you can keep it charged, or recharge it somehow (like camping at places with electricity available, or using a generator).  If you are camping with electricity a little 1500w plug in heater will keep you toasty down into the 20s, not use any propane, and be a lot quieter than the on-board furnace.

TT

Thanks for the responses.  I guess I wonder if I can dewinterize if the daytime temps are around 25 Fahrenheit and overnight temps in upper teens, probably for the first two days of travel.  Can you run a heater while driving?  

Welcome to the group!! Most of your tanks are under the trailer and not insulated so running the heater will not keep them from freezing, but it would take some steady below zero weather for them to freeze. Using the tanks and flushing with a bucket should be okay as you do have the antifreeze in the tank. Depending on your style of camping will determine how long you will get out of a a tank of propane. depends on cooking ,use of the heater, if you run the Fridge on propane or the water heater etc.