Short term freeze protection

[Fishfnatic]

Hello all, we full time in our 310 rl and am staying in rv park in Houston area near coast. We are going out of country for 5 days and temps are to get 26 and 21 degrees last 2 days before returning but get above freezing during day. I was going to disconnect water hose and turn furnace on 55 . I will empty tanks before we leave. Should I drain hot water heater and water lines since we won’t be here or is the furnace enough? Leave faucets open? Do I turn on tank heaters on empty tanks? If we were going to be here I would just use freshwater tank. Thanks

 

[Oregon_Camper]

I would simply blow out the water lines with an air compressor and empty the tanks (including water heater). No need to run antifreeze in the lines for such a quick overnight freeze. This entire process will take under 30 mins. When you get back, simply attach water line and allow water to flow, pushing the air out of the lines.

 

[Lantley]

Typically I would say no need to do anything furnace is enough. But since you will be far far away. I would drain heater and open low point drains.
If you have a compressor blowing out lines is also a good idea.
I consider the draining and using compressor as insurance. I don't think its truly necessary but why take a chance?
No need to have that worry in the back of your mind while on your trip.
Play it safe for a worry free experience.

 

[Fishfnatic]

Typically I would say no need to do anything furnace is enough. But since you will be far far away. I would drain heater and open low point drains.
If you have a compressor blowing out lines is also a good idea.
I consider the draining and using compressor as insurance. I don't think its truly necessary but why take a chance?
No need to have that worry in the back of your mind while on your trip.
Play it safe for a worry free experience.

Maybe weather will change as it is only a forecast 😂

 

[Todd F]

Same amount of time using $9 worth of antifreeze to winterize versus blowing out. I would use antifreeze and not have to worry about it. To each there own.

 

[Lantley]

Same amount of time using $9 worth of antifreeze to winterize versus blowing out. I would use antifreeze and not have to worry about it. To each there own.

I agree on time. But it is unlikely the unit is going to freeze at all with temps climbing above freezing during the day.
To some degree blowing it out is overkill, but again blowing it out provides adequate insurance that things will be fine for a few days.
We are also dealing with a short time period and not an entire off season.
But the real reason I wouldn't bother with anteeze is that you won't have to flush the antifreeze from the system when you return.
Compressed air saves a step in the process.
For the record I am an anti freeze guy and prefer that antifreeze is foolproof vs. the risk associated with just compressed air.
I just winterized my unit with anti freeze 2 weeks ago. I believe in anti freeze is the best way to winterize.
However in this case compressed air provides insurance vs. doing nothing but running furnace and crossing fingers.

 

[BryanValRox]

I would be on team drain everything and blow it out with compressed air. I wouldn’t wanted the worry if I was traveling out of the country and had freezing temperatures in the forecast.
Also, it would NOT be advisable to have any tank heaters on with empty tanks
Heck, with my OCD, I would probably shut things down and drain the system even if I was in a warm climate and leaving for a few day 😂. 30 minutes seems like a small investment to me for a worry free trip.

 

[Bozo]

Do not ever use tank heaters when tanks are empty, they can melt through tank If empty.

 

[Todd F]

 

[Fishfnatic]

View attachment 2987

I will just empty all tanks and not use heaters. Thanks