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12-14-2017, 01:47 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Harrisville
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 40
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Quick trip NORTH?
HI all,
In late January my wife and I are going to drive from St. Augustine Florida to Medina OH. to pick up our new puppy. The quickest route is 14 hours and the plan is to run up and turn around and head back. As long as the coach is kept warm is there anything I should know with regard to winterizing? I have a 2016 EXT. We just plan on using the toilet and bottled water on the run up and down and then dump when we get back to florida...I doubt if I will have 30 amp access in the north so most likely generator overnight and propane furnace.
Any suggestions welcomed. First time driving the airstream in the cold and snow most likely. The "all season" tires look like they can handle snow.
Thanks,
Jim
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12-14-2017, 02:23 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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I would schedule the trip with a 2 day window of clearer weather as far a snow or freezing rain. That should not be that hard to find a window if you have Weather Bug on your phone.
As for cold nights. If you have not winterized it takes over 12 hours of below 32 before you have to worry about the interior of the trailer freezing. Much longer if you have any form of heat at night. We had winterized the trailer and we stopped over night coming north and it was 17 outside when we got up. Bottled water had survived on the counter top.
I would suggest no water in the fresh water tank, antifreeze in the traps, have drained the gray water for winter and put some antifreeze, 1/2 gallon should more than cover you, in the black tank and on the toilet valve. Keep the anti freeze in the bath room to cover the valve after each usage. Any and everything goes in the black tank till you get south again.
One trip it was 27 when we left New Jersey and 27 when we got to Santa Rosa Fl. I will say the sheets were cold when we first got in bed.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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12-14-2017, 06:19 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2024 Interstate 19
Fulton
, Maryland
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,882
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I assume you are staying in the van and will have heat and with power you will have the tank heaters on. You don't need 30A service. 15-20A service will do for most winter needs. The weak point on an Interstate is the outside shower fittings. They will likely freeze if temp drops near 20degF. You can protect the outside shower with electric pipe heat cable.
__________________
- - Mike
--------------------------
2024 Airstream Interstate 19e AWD
Previous: 2013 Airstream Interstate 3500 Ext Lounge
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12-15-2017, 03:59 AM
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#4
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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The main things you have to worry about freezing are the check valve/pressure regulator in the municipal water intake, and the exterior shower. Neither one gets much heat from inside the van, and can freeze. Keeping the galley cabinets cracked open to allow furnace heat to reach the back side of the municipal water intake and the back side of the outside shower will help.
Also the macerator pump is prone to freezing, since it is not heated by anything, not by the furnace and not by the tank heaters. Empty the black and gray tanks, and run some RV antifreeze through the macerator pump, then don't dump the waste tanks until the temperature is several degrees above freezing.
I was camping at Bayou Segnette State Park just recently when south Louisiana had the Great Sneaux Day ("Sneaux" is a neo-Cajun thing, same as "Geaux Tigers" for LSU fans). Temperatures were below freezing for several nights in a row (mid-20s) but warmed to the high-30's or mid-40's during the day most days (except the Great Sneaux Day itself, when it was still below 32°F at noon). The plumbing in my Interstate was just fine, using furnace heat and electric tank heaters.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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12-15-2017, 04:55 AM
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#5
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New Member
1958 22' Flying Cloud
freeport
, Illinois
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 2
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salt on the roads will pit aluminum!
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12-15-2017, 06:29 AM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Harrisville
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Boxster1971
I assume you are staying in the van and will have heat and with power you will have the tank heaters on. You don't need 30A service. 15-20A service will do for most winter needs. The weak point on an Interstate is the outside shower fittings. They will likely freeze if temp drops near 20degF. You can protect the outside shower with electric pipe heat cable.
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I don’t expect any campgrounds to be open so we will attempt to time it so we can get far enough south to find a campground open after the pick up in Medina Ohio being 14-15 hours from St. Augustine and with 2 drivers were hoping for a quick turnaround.
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12-15-2017, 06:51 AM
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#7
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by water
salt on the roads will pit aluminum!
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Welcome to the AirForums!
HowieE mentioned finding a window of opportunity where snow or freezing rain will not affect the OP's drive down to Florida and back. So salt on the roads should not be an issue. But since this was your first post, and I don't want to dismiss your concerns, allow me to give you my 2¢ worth…
The OP owns an Airstream Interstate class B motorhome, which is made of fine German steel, and painted. If it's black or silver, it's also clear-coated (the white Interstates like mine are painted but not clear-coated). It's not aluminum. They will be driving their car one way, and driving both their car and their new Interstate mororhome back.
But even for a trailer, salt will not pit clear-coated aluminum, it will only pit bare aluminum, and only if allowed to stay on the aluminum long enough for galvanic action to take place. If it's washed off promptly it won't have enough time to cause corrosion. So with a modicum of care, even trailer owners traveling in winter shouldn't let the fear of encountering salted roads prevent winter camping.
I hope this reply adequately addresses your concern.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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12-15-2017, 07:18 AM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Harrisville
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by water
salt on the roads will pit aluminum!
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Can't do anything about that but I will wash and rinse the underside of the coach. Actually, I probably get more salt on the coach in Florida since we live on the ocean.
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12-15-2017, 07:24 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Harrisville
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 40
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We are going to run up 95 to I believe 26 then over to 71 or 77 can't remember. That route is 14 hours compared to 20 hours going up 75. We will probably be taking a break the first day and spending the night in the coach in a rest area or wal-mart to get several hours of shut eye. On the way back, we both plan on driving south till we get to a point where freezing temps aren't an issue which I assume will be after we go thru the mountain pass and get into south carolina (maybe)......
With a new puppy there will be many frequent stops to let the little girl out and relieve herself.
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12-15-2017, 07:55 AM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Harrisville
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HowieE
I would schedule the trip with a 2 day window of clearer weather as far a snow or freezing rain. That should not be that hard to find a window if you have Weather Bug on your phone.
As for cold nights. If you have not winterized it takes over 12 hours of below 32 before you have to worry about the interior of the trailer freezing. Much longer if you have any form of heat at night. We had winterized the trailer and we stopped over night coming north and it was 17 outside when we got up. Bottled water had survived on the counter top.
I would suggest no water in the fresh water tank, antifreeze in the traps, have drained the gray water for winter and put some antifreeze, 1/2 gallon should more than cover you, in the black tank and on the toilet valve. Keep the anti freeze in the bath room to cover the valve after each usage. Any and everything goes in the black tank till you get south again.
One trip it was 27 when we left New Jersey and 27 when we got to Santa Rosa Fl. I will say the sheets were cold when we first got in bed.
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We don't have a trailer, we will be driving our interstate EXT from Florida and then back. Not towing a car as we did on the way down so the trip should be easier with just the van. I will have the heat on while driving and the tank heaters. We will use bottled water for drinking and when we use the toilet.
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12-15-2017, 08:13 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Good advice so far especially Protagonist as a fellow IS owner.
At the bottom of this monthly chart are the temps forecast for January -- quite cold needless to say:
https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/me...monyr=1/1/2018
These monthly charts are remarkably accurate as you approach the departure day, because the NWS updates them in real time, based on the actual weather data.
Quite an adventure -- have fun!
Peter
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12-15-2017, 11:15 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
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My solution to winter camping
Some friends have a few camping get togethers over the winter. I leave my camper winterized. I use a port potti ( about $80 ), and jugs of water.
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12-16-2017, 08:03 AM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Franklin County
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 86
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In regards to freezing concern about the outside shower I'll offer a couple of comments to minimize this concern.
On my 2018 GT model there are shut off valves to the outside shower under the refrigerator. I don't know if your unit is the same but if you would blow out these lines with air then close these valves there should be little if any water left in the lines to the outside shower.
If you want added insurance that the shower won't freeze you could run antifreeze in the lines then shut off the valve. Please note that I am suggesting antifreeze in the line to the shower only because you were going to use the fresh water system for the toilet only. I would not suggest this if you were going to use it for other purposes because there will be a dead leg of antifreeze between the shut off valves to the shower and the other water lines in the unit. Some of this antifreeze will mix with the water used at the sinks.
Have a safe trip.
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12-16-2017, 08:46 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2017 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 586
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What happens if the outside shower does freeze? Is it likely to cause permanent damage? Or only interfere with the operation of the shower. We never use this feature, anyway.
__________________
Leigh & Bettie
Houston TX
2017 Interstate GT
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12-16-2017, 09:15 AM
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#15
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TayaraTravel
What happens if the outside shower does freeze? Is it likely to cause permanent damage? Or only interfere with the operation of the shower. We never use this feature, anyway.
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Water trapped in the shower faucet/mixing valve will freeze, expand, and break it. Then you'll have a leak after it thaws.
Outside showers are notably different from one model year to the next, and some are more susceptible to freezing than others.
If you have never used the outside shower, and it was never demonstrated at the dealer walkthrough either, then it may not have any water in it, and you might be safe in that no water is in it to freeze.
Leaving galley cabinets/drawers partially open so that inside heat can reach the shower mixing valve from inside is your best bet for keeping the outside shower from freezing while you're winter traveling/camping with an unwinterized Interstate.
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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12-16-2017, 09:33 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,082
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You want to winterize your outdoor shower, and then just leave it that way if you don’t use it.
Otherwise, if you decide you want to use it for some purpose, you may turn it on to find it burst and a mess until you can get it replaced.
The AllStays app has a filter which allows you to look at only campgrounds open all year, and there are always some along the major highways.
I find it easier, and much more comfortable, to be hooked up to electricity in very cold or very hot weather.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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12-16-2017, 09:43 AM
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#17
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Living Riveted since 2013
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,210
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If it were my coach, I’d winterize it and drive up/down in that state, camping at sites with electric that are close to the bath house. It’s a tin tent in that configuration, but it’s still warm, dry, and comfortable.
__________________
Rocinante Piccolo is our new-to-us 2016 Interstate Lounge 3500 EXT
(Named for John Steinbeck's camper from "Travels With Charley")
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12-16-2017, 10:35 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2024 Interstate 19
Fulton
, Maryland
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,882
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TayaraTravel
What happens if the outside shower does freeze? Is it likely to cause permanent damage? Or only interfere with the operation of the shower. We never use this feature, anyway.
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Mine froze during an overnight in Taos, NM last winter when temp dropped to 13degF. The outside shower compartment was full of ice. But I lucked out with no permanent damage. So as Protagonist mentioned it varies by model year as this items seems to change. The older Interstates don't have the shutoff valves mentioned by AI927 that are on the new models.
__________________
- - Mike
--------------------------
2024 Airstream Interstate 19e AWD
Previous: 2013 Airstream Interstate 3500 Ext Lounge
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12-16-2017, 11:09 AM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Harrisville
, Michigan
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AI927
In regards to freezing concern about the outside shower I'll offer a couple of comments to minimize this concern.
On my 2018 GT model there are shut off valves to the outside shower under the refrigerator. I don't know if your unit is the same but if you would blow out these lines with air then close these valves there should be little if any water left in the lines to the outside shower.
If you want added insurance that the shower won't freeze you could run antifreeze in the lines then shut off the valve. Please note that I am suggesting antifreeze in the line to the shower only because you were going to use the fresh water system for the toilet only. I would not suggest this if you were going to use it for other purposes because there will be a dead leg of antifreeze between the shut off valves to the shower and the other water lines in the unit. Some of this antifreeze will mix with the water used at the sinks.
Have a safe trip.
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Mine is a 2016 and I am going to put air to it before we leave then pour a gallon of anti-freeze in the black and grey tank and then dump leaving anti-freeze in the macerator and lines. I think that should do it...thanks all.
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12-16-2017, 11:45 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rocinante
If it were my coach, I’d winterize it and drive up/down in that state, camping at sites with electric that are close to the bath house. It’s a tin tent in that configuration, but it’s still warm, dry, and comfortable.
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Bingo!
The projected low for the night of January 25th, as shown at the bottom of the chart linked in Post #11, is about 8 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are camping on this night, the weak links in your plumbing chain will probably fail and cause damage IMO. If there is any wind at the same time, even more of a risk.
We can camp in our mobile metal tents, using bottled water for drinking, and RV antifreeze to flush the toilet. Any use of the macerator will be fine if the main liquid involved is antifreeze IMO. I would dump a couple of gallons of AF into both the black and grey tanks before you leave.
On the way north, if the IS is fully winterized, you will have the option of staying in a motel/hotel in order to get rested for the dash back home with the new pup!
Have fun!
Peter
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