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Old 11-03-2017, 04:24 AM   #1
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Winter proof?

I just bought a Greyhawk 2006 model 30GS. I was told I could use it to camp in the winter.

How would I know this for sure? What makes this even possible?

I don’t want to burst a pipe if anything.

I have family coming in less than two weeks and the would like to stay in my RV for a couple of nights. I live in NY and First frost is coming soon.




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Old 11-03-2017, 06:49 AM   #2
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You can read a lot about this here and there are even two dozen youtubes. But it basically boils down to:
- how far below freezing will it get for you?
- do you need running water in the RV, or can you use an inside bathroom?
- will you have access to a lot of propane?
- will you be able to plug into shore power?

Answer those and I think we can help craft an approach
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Old 11-03-2017, 09:56 AM   #3
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You can read a lot about this here and there are even two dozen youtubes. But it basically boils down to:
- how far below freezing will it get for you?
- do you need running water in the RV, or can you use an inside bathroom?
- will you have access to a lot of propane?
- will you be able to plug into shore power?

Answer those and I think we can help craft an approach
Average low temp in NY for November is actually 35 degrees .

Id like to run the shower in the RV for them. They will use the toilet inside the house since i don't have sewar hookups.

Shore power and propane for heat.

What Im trying to understand if they make RV's winter ready.

Additionally If i fill the fresh water tank with water and camp in january is this even possible? Are the Pex pipes able to withstand freezing (Sewar tanks will not be used, camp site has toilets.)
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Old 11-03-2017, 10:20 AM   #4
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35 is above freezing so that's good!

I really worry about freezing when temps are in the mid 20's for prolonged periods (3-5 hours or more).

Sounds like you can do what I do when we stay up around 10,000'. Shore power means I use electric heat, since my AC unit has heat strips. You may not, so run the furnace. Keep it toasty inside. Watch propane consumption.

Electric blankets make the evenings even more enjoyable.

Small ($20ish) Walmart heaters go in the basement bays - keeping the plumbing warm.

A 60 watt light bulb (or small heater) goes in the fridge compartment to keep it warm (bad things can happen to a fridge if the refridgerant gets too cold.) Or, I kick the fridge to Propane Mode (instead of elec) and that helps keep things warm.

If your RV has Tank Heaters, flip 'em on. But again, not a big deal unless temps drop way down to the teens. The heaters and furnace will just keep things warm.


As for the last thing - can Pex withstand freezing: yes, no, depends. Areas where the water will freeze and cannot expand are the problem spots. Those are hard to predict. Could be the PEX, could be a *joint*, valve or the pump.

Try really hard to prevent things from freezing.
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Old 11-03-2017, 10:22 AM   #5
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When you're on a "Walmart" run, grab a handful of those 99 cent thermometers and place them around in the various outside areas and just watch the temps.

That cheap heater, on a low setting, keeps my basement bay at 60*F.



Finally - winterizing, once you get the process down - is cheap ($8) and fast. Much cheaper that $$$$$$$ of frozen pipes. If you want to camp in the winter, like we do, just wrap your head around being willing to winterize and de-winterize a few times during the season.
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Old 11-03-2017, 10:38 AM   #6
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Great ideas. You mean to put those electric ceramic heaters in the basement area?

I don't think I have a tank heater. Sounds like I want one now

If I go out in january, I guess I can just de winterize as you mentioned. It has that position on the water switch to do antifreeze mode.

I just got the unit last week , so I haven't tried to winterize yet.
Ive done it on my TT last year so I don't imaging it is any different other than moving these water switches.
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Old 11-03-2017, 10:52 AM   #7
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snip......What Im trying to understand if they make RV's winter ready.......snip
No....., and the RV term "four seasons" is open for interpretation, and "winter" conditions around the country aren't created equal.

If winter camping temps average at/or below freezing my TT remains winterized and I use water jugs for cooking, drinking, washing, etc., especially if I have to travel to/from a winter campsite. But that's just me.

As referenced in the prior posts, many variables to consider..., and safety is a priority when using portable heaters..., I wouldn't leave an RV unattended with portable heaters on.

Bob
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Old 11-03-2017, 11:06 AM   #8
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If you are having your guest stay in the MH, and you have no sewer system, make sure they are aware of your tank sizes, as they can fill a gray tank fast with a shower.

As for how cold and for how long?? That can be a challenge to answer. Being a used unit, you probably do not know what options it has. I would first contact Jayco with your VIN number. I have never owned a MH, so I am not sure if Jayco uses the chassis VIN, or maybe a coach VIN, for their records. So look to see if there are two vin numbers. With the VIN, Jayco can look up the specifics about your build. The can send you the plumbing and electrical diagrams. You can also inquire about insulation packages.

If the water pipes run above the floor and through the back of the cabinets, you should be able to camp in much cooler weather, than if the pipes run under the floor in uninsulated/heated spaces. If the night time lows are below freezing you city water hose most likely will freeze, so you need a heated hose or disconnect it at night. We just fill our FW tank full, it has enough thermal mass in cooler weather to keep from freezing. The coldest we have been out is in the low 20’s with no issues. Our pipes run iside the cabinets, and our tanks are exposed to the elements under the floor (not an enclosed underbelly). Your propane furnace might dump heat down to the tanks.

I do know many people that winter camp (below zero) in their MH’s and TTs. None of them uses the on-board water systems in those cold temperatures.

Happy camping
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Old 11-03-2017, 12:48 PM   #9
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I do know many people that winter camp (below zero) in their MH’s and TTs. None of them uses the on-board water systems in those cold temperatures.

Happy camping
So you don't use the shower even?
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Old 11-03-2017, 01:35 PM   #10
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So you don't use the shower even?
We do - down to the mid-20's.

Below that, no.

There are too many exposed pipes in the underbelly to risk it. Look at your black and grey drain valves. They're probably exposed. Would a freeze there hurt something? That's the question you have to answer.

Tank heaters are easy to apply as an aftermarket item, but they're not 100% either.

Folks who want to camp in really cold temps, do extra things like skirt their motorhome with insulation; put some heat sources under their RVs; etc.

Again - mid 20's and up, I think you'll be fine.
Extended temps in the teens and below? I'd winterize.
JMHO.
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Old 11-06-2017, 11:34 PM   #11
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So you don't use the shower even?
Nope. Tee cup bath at best.
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Old 11-07-2017, 06:22 AM   #12
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I just need clarification on a couple points if you don't mind me jumping in. When winter camping after you have winterized your camper you can still put water from a jug down the sinks or toilet? Do you put more antifreeze down the tanks? is it just the water lines you worry about? not the sewage tank lines?
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Old 11-07-2017, 08:27 AM   #13
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Winter proof?

I have pulled RV Antifreeze through all lines and in drains. I drain the water tank fully. I also have put some a gallon in the sewage tank.


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Old 11-07-2017, 09:24 PM   #14
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I just need clarification on a couple points if you don't mind me jumping in. When winter camping after you have winterized your camper you can still put water from a jug down the sinks or toilet? Do you put more antifreeze down the tanks? is it just the water lines you worry about? not the sewage tank lines?
If you pour water in any drain, you'll want to add a cup or two of antifreeze when you're all done to keep the p-traps from freezing.

Typically the black and grey tanks are emptied *completely* before you put it away for the winter.

If it's cold enough then yeah, the grey and black tanks could freeze and possibly damage the drain valve.
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Old 11-08-2017, 03:54 PM   #15
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I have used a small electric heater in my 2004 Greyhawk ( my 2016 has electric heat). If you are using a shower when it gets cold, be sure to open any cabinets so they get heated also. I think the portable electric heaters are safe, most have auto shut off if they are tipped over and the outside doesn’t get hot to the touch. If you do not have 30 amp service at your home, you have to be careful not to trip a circuit breaker in your home that provides electric to your motorhome. Using an electric heater and toaster, coffee maker and/or hair dryer at the same time would tend to overload a 15 amp circuit. You must educate your guests before they stay.
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Old 11-08-2017, 04:42 PM   #16
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Unrelated, but cool another LI'er!
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Old 11-16-2017, 04:00 PM   #17
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Ran the propane heat for 24hrs. I️ couldn’t notice any appreciable drop in the needle on the gauge .


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Old 12-16-2017, 01:49 PM   #18
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Have you done any insulation to the underbelly or pipes?
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Old 12-17-2017, 10:14 AM   #19
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Not yet. I think ill be insulting the pipes and putting in the tank heaters in the spring. Looks to be a fun project.
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Old 12-17-2017, 11:12 AM   #20
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Let us know your approach. I'd like to add some kind of insulation underneath but haven't given it much more thought.

I've noticed that the water in the fresh water tank get too hot in summer and too cold in the winter. That's the first thing I want to try to insulate.
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