Winter Use of RV

[grlasnier]

I am a fairly new owner of an RV. I have a class C 24' long Thor Synergy with Mercedes Diesel Chassis. I am planning to rent it to people who are planning to stay in Springdale, Utah and visit Zion over Thanksgiving and weekend. Weather there over Thanksgiving is supposed to be in the forties during the day, but then go down into the mid-twenties at night. They are staying at an RV camp with full hookups and will use the heating system to keep warm. What advice do you have regarding this trip to ensure the pipes don't freeze? Or should I cancel this rental? Should I tell them not to hook up to c

[gmc]

Originally Posted by grlasnier

I am a fairly new owner of an RV. I have a class C 24' long Thor Synergy with Mercedes Diesel Chassis. I am planning to rent it to people who are planning to stay in Springdale, Utah and visit Zion over Thanksgiving and weekend. Weather there over Thanksgiving is supposed to be in the forties during the day, but then go down into the mid-twenties at night. They are staying at an RV camp with full hookups and will use the heating system to keep warm. What advice do you have regarding this trip to ensure the pipes don't freeze? Or should I cancel this rental? Should I tell them not to hook up to c

I don’t know how protected or exposed the plumbing is in your rig.... I would at minimum disconnect fresh water each night (unless a heated hose...)
On mine, the rest of the plumbing is in heated areas except dump valves... overnights in mid 20’s and above freezing during day may make things slushy where exposed, but isn’t going to hard freeze.
By ‘using the heating system to stay warm’, if you mean only the propane furnace, they will be burning propane QUICKLY... These are not well insulated houses... 4 nights in mid 20’s may well empty the tank. An electric space heater would help.

Of course I don’t know how experienced your renters are... or how likely to follow directions. Part of the risk of being a ‘landlord’ of a house on wheels.

[nosticks]

Cancel. What you need is a bunch of novices using your rig like a hotel room. They'll be as clueless as a new owner about what needs to be done and how to do it.

[Bob Denman]

I hate to say it: but I have to agree...
The potential for problems seems to be pretty high.

[Pete'sMH]

Wow, that’s a brave plan! I’d not be willing to let even my best friend use my RV like that if he wasn’t an experienced RVer. But all you can do is teach them what they need to know. Mid 20s at night is getting iffy but if it was warm during the day the on board water should be able to stand a few hours of cold. I’d disconnect the city water and probably put an incandescent trouble light in the water compartment.

[fchabotski]

I see a lot of potential for disaster. Not horrible but extremely painful.

[gibbyid]

We was in Bryce in Oct in a class c and it got down to 15 for two nights then just camped outside of Zion no problem just make sure the water hose is disconnected and use a electric heater so you don't run out of propane.
It was that cold spell that hit early this year. From the northwest and we are used to cold spells, as long as it gets above freezing during the day the tanks should be ok as every else in inside.
If not there are hundreds of rentals that was camped there that are going to have a lot problems.

[Mr.Good]

I have a Citation on the Sprinter chassis and if it was me, I’d cancel. Most of the water lines run through heated area but the fresh tank and hookup area are outside. We stayed two nights at Grand Canyon NP on November 1 & 2 and the overnight lows were 28° F. We kept a heated fresh water hose hooked up and had no problem. Since we had full hookup, we just ran the furnace and a small electric heater for warmth.

Like a previous poster said, “I wouldn’t let my best friend use my motorhome unless he was an experienced RV camper.”

[Lt Keefer]

I wouldn't rent or lend my RV to any one.

[Bob Denman]

We're about a week and a half into this: I think that he might have already done it...

I hope that it all works out okay...

[Yaktop]

Originally Posted by Mr.Goodbar

Like a previous poster said, “I wouldn’t let my best friend use my motorhome unless he was an experienced RV camper.”

A responsible person. We all were inexperienced at one time. Definitely not a stranger.

[The Gritz Carlton]

With anything motorized...if the driver is not the one making the payments...they will destroy it.

[Bob Denman]

I think that the phrase, "Drive it like a rental"; is even scarier than, "Drive it like you stole it."

[Yaktop]

I think some of you guys need a better group of friends ��

[Oneilkeys]

Mine is currently being used as a sleeping cabin in my front yard for two girl friends of my daughter-in-law who lives nearby. Only problem - have to plug into 30 amp so I can turn my A/C on.

[Bob Denman]

At least you can get them out, by telling them that the 30 amp plug is no longer working...

[Oneilkeys]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

At least you can get them out, by telling them that the 30 amp plug is no longer working...

Good idea. Tomorrow.