Comments on: RV Winterizing 101 (Part 1)

By: Jay Stump

Jay Stump — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 12:27:45 +0000

How long does RV antifreeze last could I use some that was from last year? I have a couple of gallons that I did not use last year.

By: Joel Cowman

Joel Cowman — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 15:59:53 +0000

As usual, your advice is as solid as The Rock of Gibraltar !!

Thank you! You have, via your articles, saved me much grief and money!!

By: Winterize Your RV for Your Winter Trip « RV in BC

Winterize Your RV for Your Winter Trip « RV in BC — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 19:44:39 +0000

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By: RV Winter

RV Winter — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:24:35 +0000

Good thought with the fuel stabilizer, many people probably consider the interior and roof but not the fuel system.

By: Carl Strohmeyer

Carl Strohmeyer — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:48:13 +0000

We live in a climate that gets down below 20 F in the winter, however I simply spray protect ants on the tires, cover all vents, run the engine and generator at least once per month (I drive generally the vehicle rather than run it in idle).
I also run the fan on the roof air, as it has “frozen” with rust when this is not performed (I also add silicone spray to the shaft and to many linkages under the chassis).

I add the Lucus fuel treatment to the gas tank (it also improves my mileage by 5%).

I leave a trickle charger on and check the batteries for DI water once per month. I keep a pre-set heater turned on low (to keep from freezing).
All this has served me well since I am the original owner of my class C motorhome since 1991 without any climate/winterization issues (other than the frozen roof air shaft).

I choose to do this rather than traditional winterization since I still use our RV in the winter

By: Tom Carney, Roxbury Twp, NJ

Tom Carney, Roxbury Twp, NJ — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:40:15 +0000

The hot water heater drain/anode on my travel trailer is a square plug. Neither the service guy nor me can get remove this plug. Any suggestions? An issue this raises is that I cannot empty the hot water heater. Therefore I must use enough antifreeze to fill it (the hot water tank) as well as the lines, fresh water tank, etc. A lot of antifreeze! Can I fashion a tire valve to a stub of hose that mates with the city water connection and blow the water system dry with air? Nitrogen? Is this sufficient to prevent freezing?

By: Mark Polk

Mark Polk — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:44:57 +0000

Steve,

I’m not sure where you got the idea that this article is for those who hate winter. It’s about protecting your investment. It only takes a few minutes to de-winterize your RV if you decide to use it for a winter camping trip, and it only takes a few minutes to winterize it again when you get back home.

I don’t mind winterizing our RV more than once during the winter. I have de-winterized and winterized our RV as many as 4 times during the winter. It only takes a couple gallons of non-toxic antifreeze. And like lots of other RVers we love camping during the winter too. I go deer hunting in North Central Pa. with the RV, so we know how to use the RV when it’s cold outside.

I just like knowing the RV is protected when we’re not using it. I would call it a cheap insurance policy, not hating winter.

By: Craig Spargo

Craig Spargo — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:19:46 +0000

I need a wiring diagram for a older Powertron converter modle # MRM 400D.
Any help would be appreciated.

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:59:44 +0000

Think I am going to do a write up and video on surviving the winter in an rv… nice write up for those who hate winter!

By: Mark Polk

Mark Polk — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:23:55 +0000

Maryearlene, that would depend a lot on how the RV is built and designed. If you have heated holding tanks, if the plumbing (to include the fresh water holding tank) is in a heated area, how well the unit is insulated, and if the forced air furnace can heat the unit efficiently, camping in colder climates is quite manageable.

One consideration is where you will be staying. In colder regions it’s quite common for campgrounds to close during the cold winter months. If you do have access to a water hook-up you need to take precautions to prevent the water supply from freezing before it enters the RV. There are other considerations, like dealing with condensation, supplemental sources for heat, battery maintenance, snow accumulation etc,. but lots of folks use their RV’s in the wintertime.