Winter Travel and Holding Tanks

[John H.]

What is the most efficient way to Travel in the winter time.

I do blow out the water lines and carry a gallon jug of water to flush the toilet. The coach is heated at all times BUT ?

I have been adding 1 to 2 gallon of antifreeze to the holding tanks after dumping and flushing so the valves do not freeze, stick.

So far, this has worked.

But I have also looked at the tank heat pads and wondered IF ? My concern is Battery Draw ?
So this would be better. No, we do not Live in the Coach full time. but like to visit the grandchildren in wintry climates so Out of storage comes the Airstream and off down the road we go. If we park a week and fill the tanks, the 2 gallon seems to work well and when we get to a Proper dump site the Valves open and the tanks do Discharge properly.

Thank You

John

[Farmer Dan]

John,
We will be heading for Bonita Springs, FL once again on 12/28. As in the past we use either windshield or RV A/F for flushing. We have not had any problems with this method to get us to warmer weather. The biggest diff would be we have only 2 days travel to get warm weather! An extended stay of a week, as you plan may, be a problem. I agree w/ you on batt. draw concern. Merry Christmas !! Dan

[John H.]

Have a safe trip Dan, Thank You for the input.

Quite the Grain market Right now. Interesting.

Viewing a thread - S.B. Rally to a 28 Month High

[Farmer Dan]

John,
The grain mkt. is very interesting !! I sold out earlier. I held too long in '09. Like most farmers, you never get it quite right. Son & brother-in-law sold yesterday - they did very well by holding - this time!
Dan

[masseyfarm]

Originally Posted by John Haggard

What is the most efficient way to Travel in the winter time.

Originally Posted by John Haggard

I do blow out the water lines and carry a gallon jug of water to flush the toilet. The coach is heated at all times BUT ?

I have been adding 1 to 2 gallon of antifreeze to the holding tanks after dumping and flushing so the valves do not freeze, stick.

So far, this has worked.

But I have also looked at the tank heat pads and wondered IF ? My concern is Battery Draw ?
So this would be better. No, we do not Live in the Coach full time. but like to visit the grandchildren in wintry climates so Out of storage comes the Airstream and off down the road we go. If we park a week and fill the tanks, the 2 gallon seems to work well and when we get to a Proper dump site the Valves open and the tanks do Discharge properly.

Thank You

John

Lots of info on winter prep on other threads on this site.
One tip I have used is to take off the waste dump cap for travel in the winter. The cap is below my basement level and tends to build up with ice and is difficult to get off when dump time comes.
As long as you use "Pick Stuff" in the waste tanks, the lines and valves are protected, but unless you charge the portion between the valve and the cap, you will have a problem come dump time. Also, the rubber gasket in the cap has a tendency of going missing when the weather is bad. (guess it is the operator who dos'nt want to look in the snow and dirt)
My basement is heated with the furnace which I run if necessary, but seldom have done this. The "Pink Stuff" does the trick.
I stick with the RV antifreeze at all times. The w/s fluid could be used if you got stuck I guess, but I would not if RV was available. I think with the dilution of the w/s fluid it would be far more economical to use the RV Pink.
Dave

[r carl]

Menards here has the pink stuff for $2.50 gal now.

[John H.]

Originally Posted by r carl

Menards here has the pink stuff for $2.50 gal now.

wow, thank You r=carl

I think I will stock up for next seasons supply.

The best I did was 3.95 at our auto parts store

after I purchased 2 cases for near 6.00 a Gallon at a Marina store.

[AirRowan]

I just drove down with full water and used both tanks in 0deg days and nights with just 2 40 watt tank heaters that were only $10 each (pack of 3). I have 340Ah house batterys so there was no problem but if you are able to just steel 15amps from you kids for your charger there should be no prob running them and your two furnas's. I will put the link below to the ebay seller I used.

tank heaters
3 pack RV Freeze Protection Holding tank heaters 12V - eBay (item 280573540101 end time Jan-08-11 07:04:37 PST)

[John H.]

How is the weather in the Keys AirRowan ?

We got 4 inches of fresh snow Christmas Day.

[AirRowan]

Not as hot as we would like hight 60s low 70s. This has not stopped us from getting out on the water 12 of the last 14 days!:-)

[Secguru]

OK, I'll show my stupidity. What is Pink Stuff? I assume it is some kind of anti-freeze that is ok for septic tanks. (I've looked this up in a bunch of threads and never found the answer.)

[John H.]

Originally Posted by Secguru

OK, I'll show my stupidity. What is Pink Stuff? I assume it is some kind of anti-freeze that is ok for septic tanks. (I've looked this up in a bunch of threads and never found the answer.)

google, Star brite anti-freeze antigel

some use Vodka

[John H.]

Originally Posted by AirRowan

Not as hot as we would like hight 60s low 70s. This has not stopped us from getting out on the water 12 of the last 14 days!:-)

thank you, sounds like your getting some good boating time

[masseyfarm]

Originally Posted by Secguru

OK, I'll show my stupidity. What is Pink Stuff? I assume it is some kind of anti-freeze that is ok for septic tanks. (I've looked this up in a bunch of threads and never found the answer.)

Pink Stuff

Rv anti freeze available at any hardware or RV store in climates where freezing is a threat. Available under many brand names and prices vary as to where you buy it.

CAMCO FREEZE BAN -50 RV AND MARINE ANTIFREEZE

FREEZE BAN -50 RV AND MARINE ANTIFREEZE

• Safe for residential and recreational drinking water systems
• Burst protection to -50°F (-45.5° C)
• Won't damage copper, brass or plastic (except acetate)

Use for RVs, boats, cottages and pools. Protects your portable water system from freeze damage. Inhibits fouling and corrosion while preventing algae growth. Aids in lubricating pumps and valves throughout the system. No mixing required. Odorless and tasteless. Contents each bottle: One Gallon.

[John H.]

Originally Posted by masseyfarm

Pink Stuff

Rv anti freeze available at any hardware or RV store in climates where freezing is a threat. Available under many brand names and prices vary as to where you buy it.

CAMCO FREEZE BAN -50 RV AND MARINE ANTIFREEZE

FREEZE BAN -50 RV AND MARINE ANTIFREEZE

• Safe for residential and recreational drinking water systems
• Burst protection to -50°F (-45.5° C)
• Won't damage copper, brass or plastic (except acetate)

Use for RVs, boats, cottages and pools. Protects your portable water system from freeze damage. Inhibits fouling and corrosion while preventing algae growth. Aids in lubricating pumps and valves throughout the system. No mixing required. Odorless and tasteless. Contents each bottle: One Gallon.

After reading that.
I think I will drink another, second cup of the day.
Internal Lubricating, cleansing of the circulation system and killing off intestinal Algae has to all be a good thing
No wonder I have never needed Heart or blood pressure medication
and for $2,00. a gallon

[pmclemore]

"Potable" water system, that is...safe for your drinking water system.

Pat

[DaveFL]

When we were in Kentucky there seemed to be a preferrence for bourbon. ;-)
You might be on the high side of antifreeze usage, as a percent of antifreeze to water it doesn't take much to stop a gallon of water from freezing, I would use the gallon but not dump until tank was at least half full which takes a week, with normal usage, by putting the gallon in first you will be protecting the valves. A lot depends on how far north and temperatures you encounter, most have a hard time predicting exact temps for the week.

[ScrapIrony-2]

I'm one of the vodka(cheap) users for fresh water, but I use the pink stuff for gray and black,,,interesting colors to observe if you have a clear elbow for dumping...

[John H.]

I'm one of the vodka(cheap) users for fresh water, but I use the pink stuff for gray and black,,,interesting colors to observe if you have a clear elbow for dumping...
__________________

Orange Like Do-do
reminds me of dumping a tank of Tang

[John H.]

Originally Posted by DaveFL

When we were in Kentucky there seemed to be a preferrence for bourbon. ;-)
You might be on the high side of antifreeze usage, as a percent of antifreeze to water it doesn't take much to stop a gallon of water from freezing, I would use the gallon but not dump until tank was at least half full which takes a week, with normal usage, by putting the gallon in first you will be protecting the valves. A lot depends on how far north and temperatures you encounter, most have a hard time predicting exact temps for the week.

Yes, Kentucky is the Bourbon Capital and there is a Bourbon tour rout that winds through the state.

Then out of the hollers come the real stuff, Clear and Pure, sells in original mason jars. flavored also.
Strawberry, Raspberry and peach are the favorites.
NOT sold in stores that one would frequent.

Yes, Record snow fall this December for Russell co in How long ? Heck, many winters go by with None.
when home, We are in a nice Barn so no freeze issues there Dave. and I do keep an electric ceramic heater on at all times.
But we go to Central W.V. to visit the children and they Live on top of a mountain range not far from a ski resort at High altitude.
so this is why I started to pour the Pink stuff in the holding tanks. To travel.