Cold weather advice?

[WilliamP]

My wife and I have recently purchased a 2007 Jayflight 30.5 RLS 5th wheel.
With winter coming on - we're looking for tips and advice about keeping the holding tanks from freezing. Seattle has mild winters, but, usually it gets cold enough to freeze at least once each winter.

I see that tank heaters are available -- about $100 per heater. Is that the best way to go? One for each of the three holding tanks? Does that cause any problems with the electric system? Fuses etc?

Or -- is there some clever way that experienced 5th wheelers use that is different?

Thanks for any help.

[hammerdown]

There are two ways to winterize an RV, air method and antifreeze method. This is the air method.

RV Winterizing….Blowing Out the Lines Method.

You will need an air compressor or some source of air with an air hose.
An air hose chuck.
Compressed air adapter. (blowout plug)
And less then a gal. of RV antifreeze.

1. Drain fresh water tank, close valve.
2. Drain hot water heater replace drain plug.
3. Dump and (flush if possible) both black and gray water holding tanks, leave gray water valve open.
4. Turn the pump on and open a faucet to run the pump dry. Turn pump off.
5. Screw compressed air adaptor into the fresh water inlet. The adapter is available from Camping World or most RV dealers.
6. Apply compressed air, keeping the pressure at 30 PSI but less than 40 PSI. You may need someone to hold the air hose on the adapter.
7. Open then close each faucet, hot and cold, one valve at a time, allowing the compressed air to force the water out of the line. Don't forget the shower and toilet and outside shower. Remove and replace the ice maker hose on the outside if equipped. Open both low point drains and close.
8. Remove the drain plug from the hot water tank and allow the compressed air to blow out the remaining water. Reinstall drain plug.
9. Remove the compressed air source and adapter.
10. Close gray tank valve.
11. Pour a few cups of RV antifreeze down each drain and toilet.
12. You’re done.

[WilliamP]

Many thanks to you, Hammerdown, for the clear and concise winterizing information.

I should probably have been more clear, however -- we are intending to continue living in the 5th wheel throughout the winter rather than winterizing it for storage.

Looking under the unit, I see that there is a faring covering the water tanks, and there are bits of what looks to be foam insulation oozing out at a few points. Is that standard on all Jayflights? Or - did the previous owner insulate the tanks after purchasing?

Anyone have tips for living in a 5th wheel throughout the winter season?

[dzwiss]

The 07 Jayflights had enclosed, heated and insulated underbellies. As long as you use your furnace when it is below freezing your tanks will not freeze.

[kcconawa]

When you are expecting freezing weather, fill up your fresh water tank, disconnect and DRAIN your fresh water supply hose, sit back and relax. Since you are dealing with a used unit, I would crawl under the under belly and make sure all holes are stopped up, not allow any outside air to freely penetrate the under belly.

Also, if you are new to RV life, do not leave your black water tank drain open! Let it fill up at least 3/4 full before dumping. Lots of advice in other threads but bottom line, you need the full tank water to move the solids. Educate yourself on subject.

[clutch]

You might also want to use a heat tape and pipe wrap for your city water connection. Or, you could just fill the water tank and use the pump in cold weather.

[WilliamP]

Many, many thanks to you all!!!!!