Re: [A/S] Re: Temporary winterization

[<pcfranke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Interesting report.  

Perhaps it will be helpful to someone in the group if we append some 
of our experiences in this department.

When we first acquired our coach, we of course over-reacted and did 
everything by the book.  The first couple of winters we had the unit 
winterized by the dealer or Jackson Center, caulked everything, and 
covered all the openings (windows, vents) with plastic film.  The next 
couple of years we tried winterizing it ourselves using antifreeze.  
But we found that when we got down to Texas in January, we always we 
needed the AC at least one day -- which meant scrambling to un-winterize 
in a hurry.  

So for the past three seasons we have only drained and blown out the 
plumbing on Thanksgiving.  And this year we didn't even put up any 
plastic film.  We have kept a small (600 w) resistance heater running 
24/7, and set the thermostat at the minimum -- about 50.

To our surprise, everything has been fine.  Two years ago we were stuck 
severak days in Bowling Green KY during a blizzard -- no problem.  
During this last cold snap we were caught in the area that got the ice 
storm, and the coach was encased.  I opened a new 30# tank of 
propane on the 23rd, but the temperature went down to -5 on Christmas 
Eve.  The furnace ran at nights, but not very frequently -- much to 
my surprise, I still am working on that same 30# of propane.  Outside 
temperature this afternoon is about 40, and the interior temp with just 
600 w heat is almost 70 -- very comfortable.

Lesson learned?  Assuming only access to propane and sufficient 
electricity to run the furnace, in an A/S "out-of-the-box" one will survive 
and be comfortable at temps down to zero and even below -- special 
precautions would be necessary only in International Falls.

             -- Lew #4239

'72 Safari
Still stuck in Ohio.