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Old 10-13-2013, 04:32 AM   #1
JandC
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Suggestions needed for winter

We are heading to Florida (from Illinois) the end of December. Since our campground does not allow skirting, this is what I am going to do to get us through the cold until then. I am replacing the worn rubber seals around all the exterior hatches. Have 3 ceramic heaters. Buying a heated water hose for our fresh water hook-up. Placing a 55 gallon drum over the campground water spigot with holes cut for heated water hose to come out through. Replacing stinky-slinky dump hose with 4" PVC and rubber fittings. My main question is can I place a ceramic heater in the basement to help supplement the underbelly heat when the furnace is not running? Also, when we pull out we are going to Nashville TN the first night, but that travel day may be freezing temps. Can I just bypass and empty hot water heater, run RV antifreeze through water lines, and make the 10 hour run to Nashville? This is our first winter experience in the Monte and any suggestions would be great!
 
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Old 10-13-2013, 05:00 AM   #2
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I would suggest just blowing out the water system with air and putting RV antifreeze down the drains. Much easier to restart your water system when you get to a freeze safe location. No flushing!
I would find another way to heat the belly of the RV. It's still an ignition source. Others will likely have additional ideas or even (gasp!) disagree.
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Old 10-13-2013, 05:53 AM   #3
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Running the furnace, while using up propane, does fulfill a useful purpose. Your water lines run near your duct work and it will help keep the basement warmer. Using three heaters to avoid the furnace is a recipe for frozen water lines IMHO. We use one heater and the fireplace during the day and just one heater at night with the furnace set to 60 degrees. The furnace comes on and runs off and on thru the night and keeps the water lines warm. I also wanted more heat in the basement than is provided so I drilled three 1" holes in the duct work where it runs along the ceiling of the basement after it passes the bedroom duct. Now, in essence, I have an extra duct in the basement.
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Old 10-13-2013, 02:31 PM   #4
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We have traveled many days with temps in the low 20's. We just set the furnace at 50 degrees and head down the road. Much simplier than putting antifreeze in the lines then having to rinse them out. Jim
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Old 10-13-2013, 03:50 PM   #5
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by jimcol

We have traveled many days with temps in the low 20's. We just set the furnace at 50 degrees and head down the road. Much simplier than putting antifreeze in the lines then having to rinse them out. Jim
So you leave the furnace running while traveling and set at 50 degrees?
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Old 10-13-2013, 04:38 PM   #6
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Yes we do and it works well for us. Jim
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Old 10-13-2013, 05:59 PM   #7
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The only caution I want to share about purchasing a heated water hose is the only ones WE have found have the thermostat on the end of the hose where you hook it up inside the convenience center. That is an area that is heated, which means that the thermostat isn't going to be triggered by freezing temps to turn on and keep your hose warm. If you have found one that has the thermostat outside of the convenience center that will work great (and great job on the find because we have never found one). We ended up making our own heated water hose.
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Old 10-14-2013, 02:18 AM   #8
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Most of the heated water hose manufacturers have figured that our and they seemed to have changed last year. I bought one of these last fall and it worked fine last winter: http://www.amazon.com/Pirit-PWL-03-2...+water+hose+rv Found it cheaper than this, however.
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Old 10-14-2013, 06:53 AM   #9
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Thanks for the link. We were unable to find anything that would work for us and I was just sharing what I knew. Nice to know someone figured it out... Tammy
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Old 10-24-2013, 06:57 AM   #10
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Thanks for suggestions/advise. We have had below normal temps now for a couple of nights. It is going to get down to 25 or 26 degrees again tonight (don't laugh Icehouse!). Heated drinking hose is being delivered by UPS today. The plastic 55 gallon drum is in place covering the park's water spout. I am installing a small heat bulb inside the drum today for colder temps that are sure to come. I put a temperature sensor in the basement after I replaced all the weatherstripping. Last night it never went below 50 degrees down there with the furnace set on 58, so I am satisfied that area will probably be okay.
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Old 10-24-2013, 07:20 AM   #11
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Those are our temps right now too! Just be careful going up and down your steps. Mine have been icy the past 2 days. I need to get some ice melt on them! Have fun!!
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Old 10-24-2013, 07:29 AM   #12
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I am going to have to experiment with some ice melt products. I built a little porch and steps for the Monte. For the decking I used some really nice high-end composite material that was left over from a deck job. I need to find a product that won't hurt the composite material.
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Old 10-24-2013, 12:29 PM   #13
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JandC,

I've used a drop light or 2 with a 75 watt bulb in the basement to help add some heat. This usually keeps the temp at least 10 degrees higher than outside temp.
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Old 10-24-2013, 03:16 PM   #14
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I have the same hose that DQDick posted about. Bought it last year and it works Great!! Just put it in place today as the temps are suppose to get down to 28 degrees tonight here around Nashville.
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Old 10-26-2013, 04:54 AM   #15
JandC
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The heated hose is installed and working good. It came from Amazon and was a Pirit brand, 25', certified for drinking water. I think the total was right at $100.00. The quality looks really good. What I am most happy with is the temps in my basement. The lowest night outside temp has been 25 degrees and the lowest basement temp was 48. The new weatherstripping had to help but now I am wondering if the previous owner had drilled some holes in the duct work down there like DQDick and others suggested. I hate to hear the temps are getting that cold in Nashville Scott. We still plan on heading there around the middle of December for a week prior to continuing to Florida.














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Old 10-26-2013, 03:56 PM   #16
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We have always (40 yrs) towed our RVs with heat, fridge, and refer operating on gas. They are designed to work that way IMHO.
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