Cold weather traveling

Twinws · 01-08-2023, 09:59 PM

We're planning a trip to New Mexico towards the end of January. The plan is to stop nightly staying as far south as possible. We figure maybe one- or two-nights cold weather camping. Temps will be a worst-case scenario 15 degrees for few hours to 45 degrees during the day. Not too concerned about that for we'll be inside with the heaters on. However, we will be leaving the RV for 3 days. The plan was to disconnect the water and have fresh tank empty. The black and grey tanks would be less than a 1/3 full and I plan on putting some pink stuff in the tanks also. We'll come back to the RV and then head back towards warmer weather; I'm concerned about freezing my systems and cracking lines/ tanks while I'm away. My thought process is if will only be freezing for a couple hours and there is much to expand in the tanks to prevent cracking.

The Gritz Carlton · 01-09-2023, 03:43 PM

Totally winterize it for that period and flush toilets with pink panther pee. Drink bottled water. Cold often gets colder and stays longer than they predict. Temps in the teens freeze things quick and deep. "Fail Safe" is the best method. Diluting the pink stuff in the tanks will render it ineffective.

lwmcguir · 01-09-2023, 04:07 PM

I agree with Gritz, winterize, it only takes a few minutes to run antifreeze through all the lines. Takes 4 gallons to properly do mine and well worth it.

If you have a once through water heater it has to be drained completely.

I always dump the tanks and then put antifreeze in to protect the lower fittings and valves that are exposed to cold temps.

AquaHot, washer, dishwasher, ice maker are all included to winterize if you have them.

A few folks leave heat on and if they don't lose it, they get by, if they lose heat the cost is considerable fixing all the problems.

Lt Keefer · 01-09-2023, 10:09 PM

Where at in New Mexico? I live in Central Texas and we are in a period of warmer than normal temperatures forecast thru early February. Temps in the 70s pushing 80s during the day. Upper 30s to lower 50s at night. I was thinking of going to Roswell and the long term forecast for Eastern NM is 40s, 50s and 60s during the day and 30s and 40s at night. If the weather forecast holds true, I wouldn't worry about it for lower elevations.

Scubawise · 01-10-2023, 12:14 AM

Las Cruces NM is sunny

saddlesore · 01-10-2023, 02:45 AM

The Escapee's have a really nice park in Deming, NM.

Twinws · 01-11-2023, 02:16 AM

Going to Angel Fire for a few days. Reading the weather is doesn't seem as bad as I thought.

saddlesore · 01-12-2023, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twinws

Going to Angel Fire for a few days. Reading the weather is doesn't seem as bad as I thought.

Keep in Mind Please,.. Angel Fire is over 8,000 feet elevation....and in the winter, the weather can change a hell of a lot quicker than most realize.. I have witnessed 50 deg drop in less than 2 hours...... (45deg dropped to -5)

Twinws · 01-12-2023, 04:05 AM

Yes the 8,000 does make a difference. Forecast now call for between 11- 32 for the time I'm there so it looks like I'll winterize. Thank you everyone for their perspective.

The Gritz Carlton · 01-12-2023, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Twinws

Yes the 8,000 does make a difference. Forecast now call for between 11- 32 for the time I'm there so it looks like I'll winterize. Thank you everyone for their perspective.

Excellent, fail safe choice!!

Richard · 01-15-2023, 01:36 PM

Angel Fire can get really, really cold. So beware and prepared.

**EA37TS** · 01-27-2023, 01:36 AM

During a recent trip to Birginia we experienced some nights where the temps got down into the mid 20’s. One issue, water pressure regulator.

If you have an adjustable regulator with pressure guage checkp the back of the guage and see if there is a statement such as “avoid freezing”.

Mine froze and although the regulator still works the gauge is stuck at 140 psi. I am waiting for a replacement gauge to arrive so I can repair the regulator.

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