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02-12-2021, 02:26 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2016 26' Flying Cloud
Arlington
, Virginia
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 15
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How cold can we camp with furnace running
We are camping in south central Texas in our FC 26U where lows down to 10 degrees F are expected at night. We have no external hoses and we are topped off propane. We will be running our furnace. Will the furnace keep the internal pipes and holding tanks from freezing, or should we drain everything and winterize?
Jeff
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02-12-2021, 02:46 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Rochester
, WASHINGTON
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 631
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I'm thinking you'll be fine, as long as furnace keeps running.
Thats why I always keep a generator available, for portable electric heaters.
I also have Buddy Portable propane heaters, for backup.
I don't use Airstream propane furnace, or appliances, in my mountain Yard whale, I'm all electric.
Old mechanic, every mechanical device will fail at some point.
Backups are important, you never know.Especially in cold weather in a trailer.
Mechanical failures/ power outages/ seem to favor late nights.
__________________
Airstream rodeo clown, it's my turn in the barrel 🤡
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02-12-2021, 03:01 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Airstream - Other
Airstream - Other
North Central Texas
, USA
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,003
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You should be good but I'd take the outside shower handle off and store until things warm up a bit. I use 2" foam in there but in a pinch I think you could get away with a face towel. From my experience the outside shower is one of the weak points for freezing.
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02-12-2021, 04:42 PM
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#4
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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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Too many crucial variables for a reliable and meaningful reply IMO.
Where are you? Here is the detailed NWS forecast for the San Antonio airport, for example:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClic...0&AheadDay.y=9
. . . which calls for very strong north winds for a few days, with a low of 12F by Tuesday. [See "Forward 2 Days" button]
That wind can be the killer IMO.
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
You might want to peruse the Winterizing forum and the Sticky Topic at the top:
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f458/
https://www.airforums.com/forums/f45...rize-7222.html
PS -- If your city water intake port, and/or exterior shower faucets, face the prevailing strong north wind, those are two easy-to-identify weak links in the chain. The interior spaces near these should be kept especially warm, and any lower cabinet doors left open. A small portable electric heater aimed at these areas will improve your odds IMO. Hopefully you have shore power? Good recent suggestion to remove the outdoor shower spray head and its hose . . . and good tips from Brian in the next post . . .
Good luck . . . and please update us next week, about the additional steps you take, and how it all works out.
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02-12-2021, 04:44 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
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I did some heat transfer modeling last winter and came up with the general guidance that the water pipes in the walls will run steady state at 1/2 the difference between the inside and outside temperature and will take about two hours to get to that state. So if its 10 outside you need the temp to be 50 inside to prevent freezing. If it is windy (> 15 mph) add 5 degrees to the required inside temp. The exceptions are the low point drain valves, the outside shower and the city water inlet. So remove the outside shower hose and stuff anything you have into the void. Bubble wrap is water proof but paper will do in a pinch. Also tape a 12 inch diameter bit of bubble wrap or cardboard (three or more thicknesses) or anything on the city inlet and wrap the low point drain valves if you can.
That cold hits us on Monday .... but it will be 10 degrees warmer here.
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02-12-2021, 04:52 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Evergreen
, Colorado
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,592
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That cold front is hitting me right now. We’re expecting a high temperature of 2 degrees tomorrow, with a low temperature of -8 degrees on Saturday night. Chilly! I was going to go to the storage facility and do a few minor projects on my winterized Airstream to prepare for our first outing of 2021, but I may wait for warmer weather.
I used to live in Dripping Springs, TX back when it was a sleepy small town. I remember what an ordeal it was when the temperature dropped that low. Texans aren’t used to that!
__________________
Dennis
Past:
Airstream International Serenity 23FB
Newmar Ventana 3715
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02-12-2021, 05:07 PM
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#7
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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 jcooper0
. . .
. . . or should we drain everything and winterize?
. . .
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PS -- Personally . . . for what it's worth . . . that is what I would do, with that extreme weather event barreling down on you from the Rockies.
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02-12-2021, 05:17 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
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When it hits us with an expected low of 18 I won't be winterizing.....
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02-12-2021, 06:11 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1994 34' Excella
Warren
, Manitoba
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,248
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Thats not cold!! Tonight it is calling for -33, with a -53 wind chill up here in the north!! We've had this weather for the last 2 weeks.
__________________
ACI #7394
2012 GMC 2500 HD Duramax Denali
1994 Excella 34'
1987 Limited 34', 1976 31', 1976 Argosy 22' Gone to new homes
Hensley Hitch
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02-12-2021, 06:42 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1977 31' Sovereign
Rochester
, WASHINGTON
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 631
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbwell
thats not cold!! Tonight it is calling for -33, with a -53 wind chill up here in the north!! We've had this weather for the last 2 weeks.
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ouch
__________________
Airstream rodeo clown, it's my turn in the barrel 🤡
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02-12-2021, 06:43 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2009 25' FB Classic
Scottsdale
, Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 849
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To all you cold weather folks, after surviving 19 winters at ORD Chicago we are now in the Valley of the sun. Phoenix where we don’t know what winterizing our SA is. However we have camped in northern ILL in the winter with a coldest temperature we survived in the trailer was -5 standing. Open all inside doors and drawers, have propane heater on to heat the water tank area, have a small electric heater working to help propane heater. Disconnect all outside hoses, and store, remove shower hose and pack the area with something to help keep it above 32 degrees. Lots of blankets and enjoy your time.
__________________
Bob & Julie # 5587, 4CU in AZ
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02-13-2021, 09:13 AM
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#12
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aluminauti
Where we
, Park it!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 316
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One aspect of cold weather heating not mentioned is the BTU effectiveness of propane at temperatures below freezing.
We wintered in our 31' AS to temperatures as low as 14F and not getting abouve freezing during the day. We "winterized" our propane tanks by making an inner propane cover liner of reflectrix and placed an incandescent 60 watt light bulb by the regulator under the tank covers.Took a bit of pre-rigging to set up the cover, work light, electrical cord-it did help with the propane effiency and kept the regulator from freezing.
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02-13-2021, 09:38 AM
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#13
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Married with Airstream
2004 25' International CCD
Vancouver Island
, British Columbia
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 934
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Go further south into the Baja or is it Bah ha. While I like cold in the winter the AS does not..
__________________
La Dolce Vita Brick & Mona
We're Married With Airstream dot com
2004 International 25CCD Registered Name "Blue Streak"
2013 F-150HD FX4 SuperCrew Lariart (MaxTow) "Red Dragon"
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02-13-2021, 12:27 PM
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#14
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1 Rivet Member
2012 25' FB Eddie Bauer
ATLANTA
, Georgia
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 6
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jcooper0
you guys should be fine. we took a trip to Taos, NM over Christmas in our 25' Eddie Bauer AS where temperatures were single digits to below zero. We kept furnace running at an inside temp of 60 degrees and were just fine. If you hook up to water, simply leave one faucet barely running overnight and that should prevent your pipes from freezing up. Winter Airstreaming is a blast....
Good Luck! JHS
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02-13-2021, 12:38 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master
2017 28' International
Jim Falls
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 2,300
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The biggest issue is to watch the LP tank levels. You’ll go through a tank in about 2 days. I bought an extra tank when we were camping in cold weather for a week. It was nice to have that little extra buffer. I always kept a spare full. AS’s go through lots of LP. Also you will need to keep a fan running to prevent humidity unless you have a portable dehumidifier. Something I have been meaning to get.
Other than that play some games and enjoy it. Tonight it will be -23 in Wisconsin.
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02-13-2021, 02:18 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Airstream - Other
Airstream - Other
North Central Texas
, USA
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,003
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daquenzer
...Also you will need to keep a fan running to prevent humidity unless you have a portable dehumidifier. Something I have been meaning to get. ...
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A dehumidifier, that's a great idea! We've had humidity issues when using the HP's and would put the fan on Med. or Low, not Auto, to keep air moving.
Had a couple of different types of dehumidifiers in our boat(s) but never thought about one for the A/S. Thanks.
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02-13-2021, 02:39 PM
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#17
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IM Streamin
2017 26' Flying Cloud
Austin
, Texas
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 20
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How cold...?
I’m a bit late on the reply but I see you have some good responses. I agree with the comment concerning outdoor shower being a weakest link. In addition to adding insulation in the ext shower area, I would also direct an electric heater toward an open kitchen sink door as the fixture is located on the outside wall opposite this location. We also use an electric heater to supplement the furnace to save propane. The furnace (via the thermostat) will still come on as needed and circulate/regulate per the thermostat. Safe travels...
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02-13-2021, 02:51 PM
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#18
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Toaster Life
2010 23' International
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 245
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I would not chance it without shore power...
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02-14-2021, 02:28 AM
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#19
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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 IB Streamin
I’m a bit late on the reply but I see you have some good responses. I agree with the comment concerning outdoor shower being a weakest link. In addition to adding insulation in the ext shower area, I would also direct an electric heater toward an open kitchen sink door as the fixture is located on the outside wall opposite this location. We also use an electric heater to supplement the furnace to save propane. The furnace (via the thermostat) will still come on as needed and circulate/regulate per the thermostat. Safe travels...
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Thanks OP for the update. Please let us know how it works out. BTW where are you located for this adventure? Near San Antonio +/-?
Per Post #4 . . . the devil is in the temp/wind details of that NWS forecast, which is still calling for overnight lows of 12F, with constant 20-30 MPH north winds for this afternoon through most of Monday.
Not a friendly environment for camping!
PS -- These short-term NWS forecasts are remarkably accurate, because the real-time data is looped back into the NWS system, which then re-calibrates the forecast -- very handy for travelers IMO.
Good luck.
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02-14-2021, 07:07 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2018 25' International
Slidell
, Louisiana
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,725
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Toasterlife
I would not chance it without shore power...
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The single best defense against trailer freezing when not winterized is the propane furnace. Simply maintain an inside temperature that is equal or more than the difference between the outdoor temp and freezing. Add 5 if wind is above 15 mph. If the furnace fails you have 2-3 hours to drain the water and blow the pipes out, or establish running water or an alternative heat source.
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