Thor Forums

[EA37TS]

Originally Posted by Larry

Chance...Funny you bring these questions up because I'm planning on doing some winter camping this coming year but nothing in the Northern tundra. Perhaps a trip or two to eastern Texas and some other areas that get below freezing. It'll probably be 85 - 90 degrees in GA thru December the way it's looking now. It's the end of Oct. and still in 80s.
I've been wondering if keeping the coach warm when the temps drop to around 20 degrees F or somewhat less would keep the water lines under the coach and fresh water pump from freezing up? Anyone with experience winter camping feel carefree doing this w/o adding the pink stuff to drains or taking other winterizing precautions?

Larry,

I've done quite a bit of cold weather camping. When I know I am going out in the cold I will dry winterize the coach (blow the lines out with air (45 - 50 PSI). For the trip I then fill the fresh water take to about 1/3. If temps are below freezing I will run the furnace which heats my wet bay and tank storage compartments. If temps are above freezing but chilly I will use the fireplace and/or electric heater during the day and then set the furnace to around 55 at night. When I know my season is over I will winterize with antifreeze.

On my prior C I had the Artic Pak (tank heaters) which came on when temps dropped below 35 degrees. That coach also had the wet bay (pump and whole house filter) in a storage compartment heated by the furnace.

The biggest "gotcha" during cold weather camping is the fresh water hose. I have seen more split hoses and connectors because campers do not disconnect the hose at night. Some campgrounds, but not all, will come around and turn off the water and disconnect your hose from their hydrant if temps are projected to drop below freezing. If they disconnect the hose you can expect to wake up the next morning to a frozen hose that you cannot roll up due to the ice inside. But rest assured, you'll only make that mistake once.

The pic below was taken Nov 1, 2014 when we were on our way to Nashville. The campground shut off water from sundown to 10:00 am everyday. We spent 3 days at this location. Some folks failed to listen to the hosts and read the notice and didn't have water in their fresh tank. Nobody to blame but themselves.

Enjoy.