Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Luc
Hi : We have a new 2017 Jayco 330 rsts. Looks just like yours. We want to go to new
mexico in early april 2017. Problem is when we come back to western co not sure how
the temps will be. Don't want to re winterize again as we will be leaving again for az in may
How cold does it have to get before rv pipes start to freeze when we are back in western
co. We have the cold weather package. What do you suggest
Thanks
Ron
970-856-3346
samantha9232013@gmail.com
Cedaredge, Co
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Hey Ron,
There is a lot of good info on winterization on this board, and it seems there are a lot of opinions on when and when not to winterize.
When I winterize, I do so in steps according to expected conditions. Please know that nothing I state here is absolute and should not be taken as a sure fire way to ensure your unit is protected. But this is what I have come up with in regards to what others have posted and what makes ME feel comfortable when temps get cold.
A "first level" winterization would be my first choice. That involves keeping power to the trailer, slides probably in (unless I was still staying in the trailer) and run the furnace to keep the underbelly warm as well. I would do this if there was a short duration of below freezing temps expected (a few hours overnight), and not below 25 degrees. With our residential refrigerator, I also have to consider the water lines under the kitchen slide out which are NOT protected in any way so I would either look to blow out that line and turn off the water supply under the sink or just pull in the kitchen slide while temps were below freezing. Space heaters inside the trailer will NOT protect the lines below or the gray/black tanks.
A "second level" winterization would be to blow out all the lines with an air compressor and pour anti freeze in all the traps making sure there was enough to flow into the gray/black tanks as well. I would take this step if the furnace was not going to run and temps were expected to be in the 20's for a few days then warm up again.
A "third level" winterization would start with a second level winterization then feed antifreeze thru all the lines and traps. This would occur if I expected the trailer to basically "be in storage" with no power for an extended period where temps would go below freezing.
These are general guidelines that I think about and nothing is set in stone.
I even have went as far as practicing my winterization by using food colored water instead of anti freeze and ran thru the process at least twice. I also make sure that if heading into possible weather like that, I have everything I need to winterize in a park somewhere on the way home.
And finally, don't forget about those washer prep lines. I have an issue with the way Jayco did these in that there is no way that I know of to cut off the water to these lines so that they don't freeze up where they are routed thru the front, "unheated" pass thru compartment. One of my mods this coming summer is to figure out a way to add additional valves closer to where they are fed from and just keep them blown out and closed all the time. I forgot these during my first winterization practice run and only remembered them when I went to put things away in the front pass thru and saw them.
HTH,
J