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12-06-2011, 04:44 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Auburn
Posts: 121
M.O.C. #7533
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Leaving trailer in cold weather
I am curently in the Seattle are and am going to leave my trailer for 3 weeks. It has been getting into the low 30's high 20's here in the early morning. Do I have to fully winterize? I was just thiking I would drain all of the holding tanks and drain the lines and leave the faucets open in the trailer to handle any expansion of any water in the trailer that may freeze. I was also planning on leaving the forced air heater on set at 42 degrees. Does anyone see a problem with doing this for just.
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12-06-2011, 05:26 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Depends on if you can count on the weather to stay the same. For no more work than it is and the $ you have invested I'd do the job right. By the way, one way or the other don't forget to drain the water heater.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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12-06-2011, 06:32 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Leona
Posts: 6,382
M.O.C. #2059
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It is your investment. How you risk it is your decision. If it were my decision, I would choose to protect it well.
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12-06-2011, 07:06 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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Even for just 3 weeks why risk it? My vote is to Winterize! I live where I don't have to winterize but if there is a need to winterize at all and it removes any risk of damage, then it may as well be done right. If you don't and there's a problem you'll kick yourself.
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12-06-2011, 09:08 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,294
M.O.C. #311
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I can winterize the water system in 30 mins (an hour max) which includes draining water heater, blowing out lines and pumping in pink stuff.
If you do winterized you also need to assess all freezable liquids (groceries).
Ref: leaving the heat on. I find I would go through a 30 pound tank of propane in three days when the temperature was near freezing and I brought it up to 70 during the day. This included using electric heat during the day to maintain the 70. My question is do you have enough propane to last the time you are gone.
What happens if you loose power while you are gone? The 12VDC motor on the furnace will drain the battery rapidly.
I would winterize.
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12-06-2011, 11:39 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Brandon
Posts: 3,944
M.O.C. #1034
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Would suggest that you winterize as well. Almost anything could happen while you are gone, power outages, tripped breaker, extreme cold. Run the pink stuff thru and you won't have to worry about it while you are away.
__________________
Darwin & Maureen DeBackere
Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada
2011/3500/Silverado/4x4/DRW/Duramax
2017/3721RL/Legacy Pkg./Pressure-Pro
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12-07-2011, 12:04 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Goshen
Posts: 1,058
M.O.C. #2827
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Bill and Linda, I guess for me it would all depend on how high the daytime temperatures get. If they go well above the mid and upper 30's, I would just drain from the low point drains. Open all of the faucets, open the pressure relief valve at the top of the hot water heater tank and then, open the low point drains. You will be amazed as to how long it takes to drain the hot water lines. That is because, the hot water heater tank is draining, also. Be sure to open and drain any filters and to pour some antifreeze down drains that have p-traps. Also, open the toilet flush valve......prop it open somehow and I'd think everything should be fine for 3 weeks.
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12-07-2011, 12:09 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Vermontville
Posts: 1,129
M.O.C. #9045
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Honestly think you would make a good choice if you winterized. Not enough propane for the length of time you will be gone. If you had big enough tanks and the ones that come witht he trailer are not big enough for 3 weeks the cost wouldn't be worth it. For about $10 and less than an hour your safe for sure!!!
Dave
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12-07-2011, 02:34 AM
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#9
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Auburn
Posts: 121
M.O.C. #7533
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Thanks for all your input, I think I will winterize it. It was just a thought. I wouldn't be warming the trailer up to 70 degrees, only about 45. I dont think the forced air would be on that much.
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12-07-2011, 04:27 AM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: New Braunfels
Posts: 664
M.O.C. #920
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muddflap, if you drain all water including the HW tank then blow the water from the lines with air, you should be safe.Would not need the heat.
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12-07-2011, 05:42 AM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by muddflapp
Thanks for all your input, I think I will winterize it. It was just a thought. I wouldn't be warming the trailer up to 70 degrees, only about 45. I dont think the forced air would be on that much.
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I live in N.C. We have some few days below freezing and lower. We always leave heat at 40 and W/H on. We don't winterize as we might dicide to go at a moments notice. Never had a freeze problem yet. Larry
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12-07-2011, 04:09 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Waterford
Posts: 3,693
M.O.C. #7500
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12-08-2011, 10:21 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Silverton
Posts: 489
M.O.C. #11144
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Then make sure at that time to have some ice cubes handy and viola!!!
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12-08-2011, 02:21 PM
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#14
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Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,750
M.O.C. #7560
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Tom, I like your idea for winterizing. I think I might try it with some vodka also. Maybe Jack Daniels in cold water lines and vodka in the hot water lines. Guess I'll have to watch what I'm doing when I prep the stool! I'll have the ice machine cranked up prior to dewinterizing and a couple of glasses all ready! Then it's party time!
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