Winterized 2012

My pup doesn't need much winterizing. Just not much plumbing there. Still, I do not plan on using the central floor drain again for plumbing leaks. I usually use the Crawford Method with full success. I made up a piece of hose that screws onto the freshwater inlet pressurized fitting. I open the faucets and use air pressure to blow out the lines. As you may recall, my water heater is not built for a camper, but instead is a three gallon 110V electric that I worked in. I have to turn it upside down to drain it as my compressor does not have enough volume to force the water out. At least that is my theory of why. That part is an awkward and heavy ordeal in an awkward position.

Since I am now home every night, I am thinking of just plugging in the water heater when the weather threatens to go below 32 degrees. The small cabinet and short runs on the plumbing lead me to think that the waret heater being on would be enough to keep the faucets and lines from freezing, or is that just wishful thinking? I could drain the faucets without emptying the warer heater. All my plumbing is the flexible plastic tubing.

The idea came from (sort of) an article in this month's Trailer Life. They were talking about winter camping and suggested that the heat from a 100 watt light bulb would likely be enough to keep plumbing in an unseated external access compartment from freezing. My water heater draws a maximum of 15 amps and my power cord is rated for it. Any ideas or suggestions?

I suppose I could also add a light bulb that would be below the faucets when they are flipped down for fold-down. It would be easy enough to make sure no water dripped on it by positioning of the bulb. Heat rises. It is also a rather small space when folded down. This may be the missing touch for the faucets. If I do not have to winterize, I could camp in the winter without going through the winterizing each time. Thoughts?

This is pretty much not "on subject", but when we had our labs, the older one could not handle the cold and I couldn't leave her inside all da because she couldn't survive for 8 hrs without "using" the house. We placed a 60 watt bulb in her igloo dog house and it was toasty warm in there, even on those below 0 days. She would get in and only get out when she HAD to go.

If it will work on an open igloo dog house, it should work inside the pup, but I would be really careful about where it was placed since they generate a ton of heat.

Also, with all the CFL bulbs, etc. you might have a hard time finding one of those bulbs that generate heat.

We'll camp with you in the winter - just let us know. We are pretty much always up for a camping trip, no matter when it is.

Only problem I see with leaving h2o in the heater and plugging it in would be the big storms that knock out power with the sub freezing temps.

Donna, it is certainly true that you guys are always ready to camp. You can bet I won't be heading to Flag Rock in the winter. Y'all will have to come down the mountain. Flag Rock is cold in the summer!

Afob, I did not think about power outages. We have underground utilities so I don't lose power in most cases, but my plan is to not keep living in the big house on the hill.

been watching the weather forecasts.. to decide when to winterize. I could do it anytime because my camping trips are probably over for this year. If the weatherman says lows will be 32 (or lower) for several hours.. I will get r done. Not a real big job.. probably an hour or so and that includes flushing out and draining the tanks.

Have you winterized yet?

and... I read an advertisement today that says my local camper dealer will winterize for me.. for $79. That's pretty high for an hour (maybe) of work.. and they would probably screw something up. The ad said they would inspect my roof for "free".. I am sure they would find something wrong.. think they would fix it for free?

We have had some light freezes and frost, but so far all I have done is turn on the water heater and plugged it in. I may pop up and do the whole thing today or tomorrow.

Like you say Chuck, it isn't really hard. Since I use the Blowout method that Crawford taught me, I wouldn't have to undo it to camp. I haven't set up my light bulb as I haven't been to Lowes or Home Depot lately. They are probably worried that something happened to me.

What I really need to do is move my battery into the garage (on a block of wood, not on the concrete floor) and make sure it has a full charge. A charged battery avoids freezing longer than a dead or nearly dead battery, from what I hear. I am still on the first one I bought.

got-r-done.. Decided to go ahead and winterize.. so I won't have to try and do it at the last minute.. in the cold. Not ruling out another camping trip.. in fact this would have been a good weekend to go.

No we haven't done this yet..not good right!

I did not winterize. I did plug in the water heater, and I put a 60 watt bulb in there. It is nice and toasty in there. It is a small space when it is all folded down.