My DH and I are moving the week before T'giving. Travel across I-80 could be freezing... or not :) We just got a Bison w/ 8' LQ and it's already winterized. We plan to sleep in it the 5 or so days the trip will take. I have read about bringing water, how to use the toilet- what about the shower? Is there a way? TIA
Posted 2009-10-13 5:56 PM (#111827 - in reply to #111817) Subject: RE: Winter travel
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
For 5 days of use, I wouldn't haul any water, I'd go ahead and use the trailer and re-winterize it when you arrive. It's not that big a deal to drain the water, pump a little pink RV antifreeze thru the lines and pour some down the drains.
I don't live far off I-84. I've had to mow the lawn for Turkey day and I've had to shovel snow. So unless your guess is inspired, it's as good as anybodies. If it's cold, leave the furnace run while you drive. Your black and grey water tanks may freeze while driving. Again put some RV antifreeze in the tanks to help keep them from freezing.
Posted 2009-10-14 5:52 PM (#111868 - in reply to #111858) Subject: RE: Winter travel
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
No I mean don't haul 5 gallon jugs.
Go ahead and fill your water tank. It's usually inside the LQ, under a seat or something. If you leave your furnace on it should stay above freezing. Especially while driving, the water will be sloshing around and that makes it very hard to freeze in the tank.
The most at risk area, will be your Black and grey water tanks that hang BELOW the trailer and are exposed to the colder wind chill of a moving vehicle.
Posted 2009-10-15 1:50 PM (#111895 - in reply to #111817) Subject: RE: Winter travel
New User
Posts: 2
Location: ne
we leave our furnace on when traveling.... don't want it cold in there when we get where we are going since we have 2 little kids! and yes, definately put antifreeze down into your holding tanks under the trailer!
Posted 2009-10-18 11:58 AM (#112026 - in reply to #111817) Subject: RE: Winter travel
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 316 Location: Illinois
Not sure about the driving with the furnace running thing. My manual says don't do it and even if it didn't it certainly shouldn't be running when you are refueling. Nothing like a pilot light or an ignition light to make refueling more interesting then you want it to be. Not to mention while driving the flame may get blown out and now you are just pumping propane... Nah, will pass on that one. My furnace heats things up pretty darn quick and I'd hate to waste the propane anyway.Many truck stops/travel plazas have showers. You could always stay at a hotel a night or two on the way, depending on how much you need to shower on the trip.
Perhaps an RV place could install a 4 season package that would enable you to use it fully for the trip. In anyway, I think I'd go to a local RV place or where you bought the trailer from and get some professional advice. After all, damaging the plumbing system or blowing up the trailer could be more costly then some installed options or a few nights at a hotel.
Posted 2009-10-18 5:25 PM (#112030 - in reply to #111817) Subject: RE: Winter travel
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
Agreed you don't want a pilot light on while refueling. That includes your fridge, furnace or water heater.
But most newer systems have electronic ignition where there is no pilot light.
If you do have a pilot light, It heats a thermacouple. If the pilot light blows out, then the thermacouple gets cold and gas valve shuts preventing any propane from "pumping out" If the thermacouple becomes defective, the default setting is closed.
Winter travel
