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lostagain View Drop Down
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Location: Quaker Hill, CT
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: First Time Snowbirding
    Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 3:37pm
I've always believed, but I believe in a lot of stuff that ain't necessarily so, that the issue with freezing is expansion of the ice as it freezes.  Thus, in the piping and pumps, and such is where the problem lies.  Seems to me that if you have a couple gallons of human water and dish water, and probably some antifreeze in the gray and black tanks, you may have a block of unpleasant ice, but as long as it can expand, it shouldn't hurt the tank.  But this too could be one of my hallucinations.

So, the main concern is making sure your pipes, pump, and valves are all filled with antifreeze until the risk of freezing is over.  And here in NV it's a sunny 65 today, my battery is 100% charged off the solar, which went from 1/2 on the "meter" in that also has the water tank lights) to full in about a half hour.   So life is good.
Never leave footprints behind.
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furpod View Drop Down
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Joined: 25 Jul 2011
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 3:23pm
Originally posted by lostagain

This may be a dumb question, but if you only use the black water and grey water tank a little, so that there is plenty of expansion room, and keep anti-freeze in the drain traps when exposed to freezing, are you really going to hurt the holding tanks if the contents freeze a little?  I'm thinking more of mild short term freezing, not what you guys get in MN. or other places where it really gets cold.


Truth be told, it's not the tanks that are the main issue, unless they are like 95% filled. It's the plumbing to the valve, and the valve itself. Your tank could be nearly completely empty.. and the plumbing out, and down to the valve, be full.. and if that freezes and breaks, well, you have a serious issue.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6417 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 2:17pm
Mild short-term freezing should not be an issue, as long as it gets above freezing during the daytime.
StephenH
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lostagain View Drop Down
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Posts: 2595 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2018 at 9:09am
This may be a dumb question, but if you only use the black water and grey water tank a little, so that there is plenty of expansion room, and keep anti-freeze in the drain traps when exposed to freezing, are you really going to hurt the holding tanks if the contents freeze a little?  I'm thinking more of mild short term freezing, not what you guys get in MN. or other places where it really gets cold.
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
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Our Pod 172
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6417 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Mar 2018 at 9:25pm
Not needed for #1 but liquid is needed to flush #2 RV antifreeze can be used for this, but it is not the cheapest way to go. However, if you don't have any alternative, using RV antifreeze so the tank does not freeze is better than using water and risk a cracked valve. Anyway, now that winter is heading toward an end, it may be a moot point.
StephenH
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Woody.1 View Drop Down
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Joined: 16 Feb 2018
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Posts: 31 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Mar 2018 at 7:00pm
So can you dump RV antifreeze right in toilet to flush?
I’m new to all this.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6417 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2018 at 7:56pm
Originally posted by RichC

(previous quote deleted)

We followed these steps almost to the letter going from Chicago to Southern California and back, January 8-18. Worked fine.

I'm glad it worked out for you. Smile
StephenH
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furpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 6128 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2018 at 11:35am
Originally posted by PilotPodder

I also add my thanks for the Weather Undergroud app tip. Really liking it better than what I’ve been using. Having the micro weather stations is a great add. ~PP


So.. do you have a "first timer's report" yet? I figure we are 6 years away from running away for (at least) the winter.. trying to catch as much info here and there as I can.. Wink
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RichC View Drop Down
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Posts: 70 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2018 at 11:33am
Originally posted by StephenH

If you take water in a separate water carrier, you could stay in your 'Pod even though it is winterized. Use RV antifreeze to flush #2 (and paper if used with #1) for the toilet. Carry some large wipes for a quick clean-up that does not require water.

Now, in answer to your questions--
When? Winterize when you expect temperatures to stay below freezing for more than 24 hours. If you are staying in your R-Pod and running the heater, overnight freezes do not matter as long as temps get above freezing during the day, especially during the times you will be driving. Once temps will be above freezing, then you can add water to the tank and use it. If you want to wait until you are far enough south so that you won't have freezing temps at night also, then it is your choice.
Tire pressure? No! Start with the tire pressure you should have and check and adjust along the way if you are concerned. Underinflation can cause tire failure.
Security concerns? Depends on your route. I would prefer not to stop in a large city, but have done so. We have stayed at truck stops, Walmarts, and one gas station out in the country when we ran out of daylight with no other option with the permission of the station owner. The RV Parky app is good for finding places to stay overnight. If you do stop at a place, please check with the management first to see if it is permitted and if so, where they prefer you park.

Mileage? The best tip is to keep your speed to 60 mph or lower. Some states have a legal towing speed of 55 or 60 mph. In any case, going faster than 60 mph will seriously cut your fuel mileage. You may also wish to check out either the AeroPlus or AeroShield wind deflectors. They do help as the front of the R-Pod looks like it should be aerodynamic, but it isn't as much as one would hope. The wind deflectors help plus they keep the front of the R-Pod cleaner.

Get a torque wrench to use for checking the tightness of the lug nuts on the R-Pod. You can pick up an inexpensive one at Harbor Freight that will work just fine. Otherwise, keep an eye on your fluid levels (oil and transmission) and watch your operating temperatures. Consider getting an OBD II reader and use the Torque app to monitor engine parameters and performance. I use the BAFX OBD II reader which interfaces with my phone via bluetooth.

I'm not a northern Podder, but a mid-Atlantic podder. We have camped in temperatures in the low single digits so I know dry camping is feasible. The furnace does a good job. It does use quite a bit of propane, so turn it down when you go to bed and turn it up in the morning to cut the use of both battery power and propane. Warm bedding is helpful. Sleeping bags are great when the weather gets really cold.

We followed these steps almost to the letter going from Chicago to Southern California and back, January 8-18. Worked fine.
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PilotPodder View Drop Down
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Posts: 305 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Jan 2018 at 11:19am
I also add my thanks for the Weather Undergroud app tip. Really liking it better than what I’ve been using. Having the micro weather stations is a great add. ~PP
Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — My RPod YouTube Videos
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