Introduce Yourself: When to winterize

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When to winterize - 32 F or lower?

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Forum Name: Introduce Yourself
Forum Discription: New Members - tell us about yourself and your r-pod
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10831
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Topic: When to winterize - 32 F or lower?

Posted By: Peregrino
Subject: When to winterize - 32 F or lower?
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2017 at 12:33pm

We like fall camping in New Mexico and Colorado!

When should we winterize? As soon as it hits 32 degrees? How low can we go?

What is the danger zone for tubing and tanks?

Is there a way to practically insulate exposed tubing?

Do we really have to shut down until spring?

Thanks,

Peregrino (aka. Enrique)

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Enrique

Replies:

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2017 at 12:43pm

Short answer is NO. I have camped in mine in winter. I don't winterize until I am putting it away or not going to use it for an extended period of time. There are precautions you can take, for example when camping in winter I use a heated water hose if city water is on site. The TT will undoubtedly have heat. The real issue is when the temps drop cold and stay cold, that can be dangerous. Some folks actually skirt their TTS, a DIY project or even bales of hay. Personally I think it's a mistake to think it is a 4 season, all-weather camper.

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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2017 at 1:27pm

Even if you insulate the pipes etc, there is nothing generating heat to maintain above freezing temps. We have camped in cold weather. Carry bottled water, and if you want hot water, light the stove. The black tank has enough salts that freezing may not be a problem. Just pretend you are camping in a really nice tent with a heater.

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2017 at 3:44pm

Our experience is that we traveled with a water carrier and heated water on the stove. We did use the toilet and used the gray water also, but only minimally (tooth brushing mainly). We used RV antifreeze for flushing #2 and to add a little liquid after flushing #1. If the temperatures get above freezing during the day, you may be okay with not winterizing, but if they are going to get down to freezing and stay there, you would do well to winterize and dry camp. As John said, think really nice tent with heater. To save gas, turn the heater down while you are sleeping and turn it up to comfortable temps while you are awake. That will save propane.

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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS

Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2017 at 7:02pm

We camp most anytime. In and around Tennessee winter camping is hard to plan though. If we're going to the Smokies in January, and the days are in the 50s, I may leave everything "summerized", but I'll take a couple of gallons of antifreeze just in case. If I know temps are going to be too cold, I'll winterize, as other have suggested, and carry bottled drinking water. Plumbing is really nice, but even without water, the Pod is warm, comfy, and convenient.

We've camped with water with nights into the mid to low 20s with no problem. Sustained temps below 32F are just about impossible to protect the Pod plumbing against though without winterizing.

TT

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2010 176
FJ Cruiser

Posted By: Larry-D
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2017 at 8:20am

Here I sit in the Rpod with the outside temp. Of 38 degrees. Using a Vornado electric heater on low and turned way down the Pod stayed at 72 degrees all night. If you haven’t tried a Vornado they are great and highly recommend on other RV forums.

Our 28” TT is insulated and has heat ducting running through the underfloor area. Since the Rpod has its underside exposed the plumbing is obviously exposed to ambient temps. If there’s not water in the plumbing it can’t freeze so off you can go. RV antifreeze in the grey and black tank should keep you going with the temps drop. Bottled water and the stove provide what you need.