How Cold is Too Cold?

[brycesteiner]

I went outside today and noticed my anti-freeze was a little cold:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m7ygAnSVBd4
Is this a problem? I didn't think it could freeze until it was -50 or something.

What is the coldest you would consider staying in the RV? Have you put skirting up and does that help?

[Gonefishing]

I have skirting on mine. As for how cold while if the furnace doesn’t keep it comfortably then it’s to cold.

[DutchmenSport]

We have stayed in our camper "down" to zero degrees (F). But, it had no water in it. It was winterized. We used a port-a-potty and water from containers, and nothing down the sinks or shower.

With water in the tanks, using the toilet and shower, we've been successful to 10 degrees (F).

No, we do not have skirting. It got down to 15 (F) just this last night and the tanks and plumbing did just fine. Of course, we've run through a lot of propane too.

[jwengermt]

We were caught in a winter storm a couple years ago. Temperature at night was down to -3 F. We had water in fresh water and had no issues with pipes freezing using the fresh water tank. Furnace kept the 5er comfortable. We also traveled, but left the furnace set at 55 F while on the road. Nothing froze.

[Camp CA]

I camped for two winters in South Lake Tahoe, CA from mid October to April. Temperatres were as low as 5 F. Used supplemental oil bath heater and the park restrooms and fabricated my own heat-traced and insulated water hose.

[DaleRobertson]

We just spent 3 nights just north of Huntsville AL and temps were down below 8f 2 of the nights. Kept furnace on at 65f and dripped kitchen and bathroom sinks with grey tank open.and tank heaters on. No problems.

[BB_TX]

Depends on how well prepared you are. We used to have at least one active member who was full timing in Alaska.

[JABURKHOLDER]

Originally Posted by brycesteiner

What is the coldest you would consider staying in the RV?

50 degrees

[Cat320]

When really cold, the A/F does not stay as a liquid, it turns to slush....but still protects your lines/equipment.

[MandK]

-50 antifreeze starts to slush somewhere around 10 degrees. Unlike water, it doesn’t expand or has an extremely low expansion rate when freezing and won’t expand enough to do damage until it’s rated freeze point. I have had -50 antifreeze in my boats systems at -15F and no problems even though the leftover jug in my shed was pretty much solid.
The coldest our Montana has been while winterized was -5F. While using it, 15F.

[brycesteiner]

i kind of figured that. I noticed they did not expand like my frozen gallons of water.

[RMcNeal]

I stay in our rig about 3 week every year at or below zero. Hunting season in the mountains can get as low as -5 to -10 degrees. I do use the water in the tank for showers and toilet. Also run the furnace as needed and supplement with electric heat inside.
I have never skirted our rig as we do not stay in one place long enough to justify it. I have thought about that inflatable system I've seen that is custom fit to your rig, but last I checked it was very expensive, over $5,000.00 for a bunch of inflatable tubes.

[skippydoo]

I second the 50 degree answer.

[brycesteiner]

Maybe bales of straw would work and they are portable.