Full Time Winterizing Thoughts

[robertwarren]

Our thanks to everyone supplying advice on our recent inquiry on “Winterizing in Chattanooga’s Racoon Mountain RV Park.

An extra special thank you to a fellow Airstreamer that stopped to offer advice after putting his eyes on Trinity 🙏. Please send me a personal message with an email name and I will respond. Thanks again.

[RALgranger]

One thing I don't know if anyone has mentioned is getting a dehumidifier if you are connected to shore power. We full time and spent last winter and this one near Bridgeport just south of Tahoe. We have a skirt, heated hose, and just run the furnace a lot and have not had any issues with it going down to negative 5 or so last year. You will need to run a dehumidifier through the night though or you will wake up to condensation all over the windows and walls. We have a stand up unit that we roll into the bathroom and run at night. It's a pain moving it around, but well worth it.

[jimfa440]

I wouldn't worry so much, it's only gonna be 27 degrees. Even that low point won't last long. You have already done all you need to do. Your furnace will heat the underbelly so you shouldn't have any problems there. You disconnected your city water hose and drained it. Now go in and make yourself a hot toddy and turn on your favorite tv channel. Enjoy your time near Chattanooga.

[Jeremiwvu]

We’ve been full time in an airstream for just over 3 years. Been in very cold approximately 14f high temps for 1 week plus. No skirt no electric heater, no window crap. You don’t “need” it.

As many have said run the propane furnace, it heats underbelly where the tanks are.

Heated hoses, and cover the valves/connections with something padded/insulating.

Moisture is an issue get a dehumidifier and humidity gauge for inside to monitor it. And make sure storage areas are not completely closed off. Moisture can lead to mold or even panel/floor rot/deterioration. We learned this the hard way.

The valve for the grey/black tanks will freeze shut, can thaw easily with hair dryer/heater. Also could probably use heat tape somewhere.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

Any valve that freezes shut is a valve that may be damaged as well ....

Freeze damage it not a "happens every time" sort of thing. Get the ice started over here and all is fine. Get it started on the other side and you have damage. Have a bit more "stuff" in the tanks and the water turns to slush, rinse the dishes a bit longer and it turns to hard ice.

Lots of variables.

Bob