Winterize requirements

[taylor.coyote]

We are planning to spend time at elevations in New Mexico that could range from lows of 20 +/- degrees at night and 40's to mid 50's in the day time. We will be boon-docking and running the heat 45-50 ish at night. We have camped with temperatures in the mid teens for a night or two but never consecutive days running .  My question:  should we be concerned about winterizing the water system when the temperatures are freezing at night and well above freezing during the day?

 

 

Edited Monday at 09:21 PM by taylor.coyote
typo

[topgun2]

I believe that there are simply way too many factors that should be considered for just about anyone to give you any kind of reasonable answer to your question.

Wind, certainty of weather forecast, your own risk tolerance, how much time will you spend in the camper, is it sunny out and will you be camped in the sun, how much access will you really need to those water related items that are located towards the outer hull (i.e. outside shower, black tank flush, city and fresh water tank inputs), etc., etc..

Even though there are a number of posts right here on the Forum from owners that have experienced conditions similar to what you are anticipating, there are virtually never two that are exactly alike.  For what its worth, I tend to be a bit more cautious in regards to situations like this.  But, I'm from a backpacking background and many time travel alone.  It is a bit easier only having to take care of one human versus two (or more).  A couple of milk jugs filled with water and another one or two for drinking/cooking/bathing and I'm set.  That sure beats virtually any time wasted on worrying about exactly what the temps are going to do and/or repairing damage caused by a frozen pipe.

Having said this, I'd guess that you will be OK - particularly if you have the ability to make sure that some "heated" air gets to the rear drivers side and under the forward dinette seat of the Ollie.  Obviously this is easy to do with the dinette seat but if someone is sleeping on the driver's side bed, it might take a bit of good positioning of a fan or small heater in order to assuage your worries.

Bill

[Rivernerd]

18 hours ago, taylor.coyote said:

should we be concerned about winterizing the water system when the temperatures are freezing at night and well above freezing during the day?

For what it's worth, we spent a couple of nights in New Mexico and Colorado in November 2022 when temps dropped as low as 9 degrees F.  We did not winterize the water system, so we could continue to use it.  We  pulled the outside faucet inside.  We placed digital thermometers in the "underbelly" of our Elite II near the outside faucet in the rear and under the front dinette seat.  We kept our Truma Varioheat furnace running at 70 degrees F all night, but not during the day when we were on the road and daytime temps were above freezing.  We also kept the antifreeze attachment in our Truma water heater activated.  The digital thermometers  confirmed that the temp did not drop below 32 degrees F in the "underbelly" even when outside temps were as low as 9 degrees F.  

[Patriot]

It sounds like a fun trip! 😊

We have had limited experience camping in below freezing temperatures, and not in the mid teens as you mentioned. Our temps were in the mid to upper 20 degree range and only for a short couple of hours before sunrise. Our Oliver was not winterized and we had no issues with frozen water lines. We always make it a point to not to connect to city water with a freeze warning and use our on board water. We don’t drink from our fresh water tank, and always carry plenty of gallon jugs for drinking water.  

Our typical sleeping temp is 61d and we run a dehumidifier which keeps our interior just about perfect at 55% humidity. We always leave the bathroom door open to keep warm air circulating. As @topgun2 mentions there are lots of variables to consider. I think you will be fine just stay weather aware for sure. 

Safe travels and let us know how your trip goes! 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Patriot

[taylor.coyote]

Thanks for sharing. I would agree many variables will be in play. Rivernerd, how do you pull the outside faucet inside?  Your trailer is much newer (about 1,000 trailers after mine), maybe you have different plumbing. I have seen where people layer in additional insulation between the  hatch door and the outdoor faucet. 

In general, our experiences is as you have described. Our Oliver can handle a few hours of below-freezing temperatures each night, provided you heat the interior and monitor the driver's side hull.  I was a hardcore winter camper in my youth but we will head for the barn if the temp is a hard freeze day and night