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07-20-2021, 05:30 PM
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#1
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3 Rivet Member
2013 Interstate Coach
Idaho Falls
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 118
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Late season travel
We are planning on doing more shoulder season travel to avoid some of the packed national parks and other venues during the summer peak season. I think we would all agree our interstates are not made for freezing temperatures. We have heating pads on the two tanks but all the piping and macerator system is unprotected and exposed.
I am planning on trying to improve on this by using 12v heat tapes and heated elbow pads. I want to use 12v to protect everything while going down the road. I am not trying to travel in extreme cold - just “medium” cold.
Yes I know this will be a big amp draw which will mean more rv parks and less boondocking but it is better than staying home. The alternator should handle the going down the road draw.
Now is the time for me to do this to get ready for the late fall travel.
Has anyone tackled this?
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07-21-2021, 05:00 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,051
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I don’t think you need to worry about anything freezing up during “medium cold” weather.
I have traveled in an Interstate for 13 winters without a problem, vehicle-generated heat keeping things warm during the day and running my furnace at night.
Go, and enjoy.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-21-2021, 05:16 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,333
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I agree with Maggie.
We usually travel September and October out west, encountering sub-freezing temps at night. The only thing you need to do is disconnect is your water hose, unless you're willing to wait for it to thaw in the morning.
__________________
2014 25' Flying Cloud Rear Twin
2019 Ford Expedition Platinum
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07-21-2021, 05:59 AM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
2021 19' Bambi
Latham
, New York
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 71
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Bambi's any different?
(got one on order)
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07-21-2021, 12:22 PM
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#5
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Living Riveted since 2013
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,201
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WhatNext
Bambi's any different?
(got one on order)
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Not really, though given your unit is a trailer vs. a Class B motor home, you will need to keep in mind that the trailer won't likely be warmed by anything but the sun while it's being towed from place to place. At night where temps are likely to dip close to or just below freezing, set your propane heater to a comfortable temp, and maybe open cabinet doors to ensure warm air penetrates to where the water lines are.
Now, back to discussing Airstream Interstates.
__________________
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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07-21-2021, 03:57 PM
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#6
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3 Rivet Member
2013 Interstate Coach
Idaho Falls
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 118
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All of the tank drain plumbing on the interstate hangs below the coach. This is fully exposed to the elements and no on board heating will warm it.
I have created more air circulation within the coach to reach those areas behind cabinets. I also use fans to increase circulation. I have also insulated the water tank to help the tank heater.
However that does address the external plumbing. In our November travels in Utah, northern Arizona and Idaho 2 years ago I would put a couple of gallons of antifreeze in the tanks at end of each pump out to semi-winterize the external plumbing including the macerator. It worked but was a hassle and my goal is to come up with a better solution.
Trailers and the prior interstate models like Lily and Me’s may be more protected than mine.
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07-21-2021, 04:08 PM
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#7
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diesel maniac
Airstream - Other
Tucson
, AZ
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 2,523
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I have Ultraheat tank pads and a couple of their elbow pads. https://www.ultraheat.com/ I added a bigger elbow pad when I added my gray water gravity drain. Keep in mind that the tank pads have their own built in thermostats while the elbow pads do not, they just stay on all the time when they get power. I don't know if the alternator would keep up, I think it might be a net loss but you can always run the generator to keep the coach 12 volt side charging better if you encounter extreme temps like mountain passes etc. You could also use 120 volt heat tape and run the genny. I don't know how much the alternator contributes to the coach battery, hopefully someone will chime in who has that info.
edit: looking at my 2 tank heaters and 2 elbow pads it looks like I am around 11-12 amps or so, not as much as I thought.
__________________
Brian
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07-21-2021, 05:44 PM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
2013 Interstate Coach
Idaho Falls
, Idaho
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 118
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Thanks Brian. I had not found this source before. It looks like it could work for my purposes.
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07-30-2021, 07:06 PM
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#9
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Half a Rivet Short
2017 30' Classic
2022 Interstate 24X
Carlisle
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 15,674
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Hi
For many parks, things shut down pretty quickly as cold weather approaches. Things like campground water don't like freezing temps any more than the typical AS does. You may well find that full hookup ( or *any* hookup) campgrounds simply aren't available past some point in October.
Just when this or that area shuts down is a "that depends" sort of thing. The Northern Rockies will shut down earlier than the California coast. It tends to be a fixed date that might get moved up. That can make planing a bit crazy ...
Bob
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07-31-2021, 07:24 AM
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#10
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Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,164
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Here in central Texas, we have club rallies up to mid-December. Our Christmas rally is usually the first week in December. We start up again in early February.
We were caught off-guard this year in February by the freak arctic blast that caught our club at a rally at Brazos Bend State Park near Houston. I had skipped that one, thankfully since folks returned home on snow-covered roads in 4-degree weather.
Our shutdown here is typically July, August, and the first week of September, although I camped twice in early July this year.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
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