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Topic ClosedWhat temp requires winterization?
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Joined: 13 Aug 2012
Location: Spokane, WA
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Posts: 454 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: What temp requires winterization?
    Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 11:51am
Tried to find an answer to this question but couldn't.  At what temperature range should one need to winterize a Pod?  That's the short question ... further explanation now coming.
 
We live in the Charlotte region and, while getting a cold spell or two on average that brings some snow/ice during the winter, it really doesn't usually get that cold here.  And there are many times during the winter that we have warm sunny spells (was out mowing my lawn in 80 degree sunshine on New Years Day a couple of years ago).  That being the case, we are planning to head out quite a bit with our Pod during the winter.  When not in use it will be stored outside with a cover over it (Northern Tool variety).
 
However, every couple of years there is a cold snap that pushes through and temps can get much colder.  So hence my question ... if we are planning on using the Pod during the winter, is there a cold point in temperature that we should winterize it for?
 
Hope that makes sense ... thanks.
P & M ... and Comet too!
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Posts: 15 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 12:27pm
+1 on that question. In South Texas, it's typically only below freezing for 3 nights all winter. My only concern is that I don't want to be out winterizing at the last minute when Mr. Weatherman predicts 1 of 3 nights in coming.
Jen and Juice
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Posts: 8 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 1:14pm

I'm no expert at RV's but water freezes at 32F so if its dipping down below that for more than a short time (few hours at night is probably okay).  Lows in the 20's would certainly seem to warrant some extra precautions.  I'm thinking I'll set a little remote weather station along side the house with the trailer and track overnight temps to see what is really going on there...
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Posts: 1088 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 2:38pm
 Winterization can mean different approaches with different climates and usage. We live in Chapel Hill ,NC and have about the same weather. as Charlotte.  I do a fairly simple winterization process.  First, I make sure there is nothing(food, gear, etc) left in the pod that might freeze.  then I deal with the water issues. I don't use antifreeze in the water lines-I just make sure that all water lines are  well drained.  I turn on  the bath and shower  faucets, open all low point drains and remove the water heater anode.  This should completely drain all of the water lines. After everything drains, I use a manual bicycle pump attached to the city water inlet to remove any water left in  the pipes.  then I close all the drains and put antifreeze in the sink p trap.

This should remove all water from the lines.  You can easily do this in about 15-20  minutes.  That way, if you want to use the pod, it can be instantly ready-just load up and go.  when you have finished, just do the simple winterization again.

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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 2:54pm
My personal rule is winterize when the temps dip into the upper 20's for more than a few hours overnight, and it doesn't get much above freezing during the day.  At that point the exposed stuff (low point drains, water intake) will start to freeze up.  Not enough latent heat to keep them liquid.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 571 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 9:36pm
If you keep : some water in your fresh tank; an empty grey and black tank or even minimal volume, an electric heater inside set at 50 degrees or so, and live in a temperate area - New Jersey and south for example, you should not have a frozen pipe problem.
The Only time we have had frozen outside pipes is when the temps have dropped below 20 for longer than over night- say two to three nights. Within a heated, insulated space such as the pod, there really shouldn't a problem.
We did that last year, and went podding in January during the coldest weekend of the winter!
Chris and Walt
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Posts: 454 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2012 at 8:45am
Sounds like all great advice ... thanks!
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Posts: 362 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2012 at 9:13pm
Fired up the compressor this afternoon and "blew out" the water system in our 177. Took about a half an hour to have all faucets AND the toilet blowing air instead of water. Hitting the 20's just about every night now so the next step is to pump in a little antifreeze - - probably this weekend. Then comes the cover and    ...well, that's it for this season.

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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Oct 2012 at 9:45pm
Nah, go winter camping.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Posts: 466 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Oct 2012 at 7:48am
Originally posted by Footslogger03

Fired up the compressor this afternoon and "blew out" the water system in our 177. Took about a half an hour to have all faucets AND the toilet blowing air instead of water. Hitting the 20's just about every night now so the next step is to pump in a little antifreeze - - probably this weekend. Then comes the cover and    ...well, that's it for this season.

'Slogger
 
 
Wow.  I couldn't even imagine us "closing up shop" in October.  It's the best part of the year for camping for us.
"Ray & Connie"

- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
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