What temp requires winterization?
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Topic: What temp requires winterization?
Posted By: P&M
Subject: What temp requires winterization?
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 11:51am
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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! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Replies:
Posted By: Jen&Juice
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 12:27pm
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+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 '10 RP-171 ..."Howdy Pod'Ner" '11 Nissan Frontier, SL Tejas, the furry companion |
Posted By: loaders_loft
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 1:14pm
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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... |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 2:38pm
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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. Vann Evans RP 173 |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 2:54pm
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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 ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Podsible Dream
Date Posted: 03 Oct 2012 at 9:36pm
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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 '10 RP-171 'Free Spirit' '13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8 |
Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2012 at 8:45am
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Sounds like all great advice ... thanks! ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2012 at 9:13pm
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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 ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 04 Oct 2012 at 9:45pm
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Nah, go winter camping.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2012 at 7:48am
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 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: Paige
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2012 at 8:54am
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Are there any differences in winterization of a 171 and a 177? How do you make sure that there is no water in the water pump? ------------- Paige and Pete 2010 177 - RPug 2012 Rav (six cylinder) New York & Florida residents 
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Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2012 at 9:57am
=============================== I wouldn't think there would be any difference. As long as the valve used to introduce antifreeze is located on the input side of the pump and you run the pump until pink stuff is coming out of your faucets I would think that any water inside the pump itself would be pulled/pushed through the system. 'Slogger ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2012 at 11:17am
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+1 ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 18 Oct 2012 at 4:47pm
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Well we just had our first heavy frost up here in the great white north so today was the day for me to winterize the Pod. I took pictures but my phone battery died so I will not be able to get them off until later. All told It took me 1/2 an hour. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 8:15am
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Ahhhhhh, a single night of frost isn't going to hurt anything. This is the best time for camping, although I do see you're in a section of the country that gets winter before we typically do. Supposed to me in the mid-70's all next week here, which is still too warm for us. I like the 50's/60's. ------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 5:50pm
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Just remember that it might get colder than the weather man predicted. Frozen water expands with a pressure of 50,000lbs/sq. in. Even most steel pipes will burst with that much pressure.
If you don't want to 'winterize' yet...I would suggest getting a small electric heater with a thermostat and set it for about 40 degrees F and open any doors or lids that would keep the heat from getting to the pipes. ------------- TIDALWAVE |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 8:33pm
Good tip tidal wave, I am hoping we have 2 or 3 weeks before we have to fully winterize, I have found 2 new camp grounds with really neat trails and hills within 30 minutes of the house, I am not ready yet, I like the crisp mornings, I like some scrambled eggs and a couple of pieces of rye toast in the morning with the smoke detector screeching at me because I forgot to take out the battery.  ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |