Need advice for intermediate camping in Upstate SC during the winter

[Hoosier]

I’m looking for a sanity check from other Oliver owners.

I’m attending evening classes in Clemson (Tue–Thu, 6–10 pm) and have a long-term spot at an RV park during the week. My home base is ~90 minutes away on winding, wildlife-heavy roads, so I head home Friday mornings and return Tuesday afternoons. That means the trailer will often sit unattended for ~4 days at a time during February.

My concern is avoiding repeated winterize/de-winterize cycles (likely 15–16 times) while still protecting plumbing during what’s shaping up to be a colder-than-usual stretch.

Here’s the approach I’m leaning toward:

Plan

• Leave the Oliver “wet” (water system active, not winterized)

• Use the propane furnace as the primary freeze protection

  • Thermostat set around 45–48°F

  • Furnace on continuously when unattended

• Use the Houghton heat pump only when occupied (not relying on it for freeze protection)

• When leaving for multiple days:

  • Disconnect the exterior water hose

  • Blow out the hose and city-water inlet (trailer plumbing remains live)

• Cabinet doors open under sinks

• Fresh propane tanks topped off

• Batteries in good condition (furnace blower dependency)

What I’m avoiding

• Space heaters while unattended

• Relying on heat tape (only partial coverage)

• Heat pump alone below freezing

• Full winterization every week (wear on fittings and check valves)

Added insurance

• Remote temperature sensors inside the cabin and near plumbing/underbelly

• Propane level monitoring

The thinking is that the Oliver’s furnace-heated plumbing spaces + a modest thermostat setting should keep everything above freezing, while disconnecting the exterior hose removes the most failure-prone component.

I’d appreciate feedback from anyone who has done something similar, especially during prolonged cold snaps. Anything I’m overlooking specific to the Oliver layout?

Thanks in advance — trying to balance realism, safety, and not crawling under the trailer 16 times this winter.

[jd1923]

1 hour ago, Hoosier said:

I’d appreciate feedback…

I believe you have a solid thoughtful plan. It’s about what I do all winter long since we travel on-n-off and get spells of overnight lows to 20F or below.

Instead of doors open, some of us have added vents to pull air through the basement when the furnace is running.

Given you can check temps remotely, you’re also covered for the unforeseeable! 😎

Edited 2 hours ago by jd1923