Is Albuquerque in January not a good idea?

[RankAm]

I have a renovated 1956 22' Flying Cloud, and I am contemplating taking her to Albuquerque and Tucson in mid-January 2025. I am concerned about the possibility of overnight freezing temperatures in Albuquerque, where I will be for maybe 4 nights.

My FC has an above-floor black tank, an above-floor fresh water tank under the front window (behind doors that open, which would permit warm air to circulate around the tank, especially if I pointed a fan into that area), and two grey tanks in the belly. All the fresh water plumbing is above or on the floor, and most of it is inside cabinets.

I have a forced-air furnace that easily can keep the cabin warm, but there is no ducting into the belly area. My concern is that the grey tanks (purchased from Vintage Trailer Supply) might freeze.

What is a good strategy to protect the grey tanks? I will be in an RV park with full hookups, so I could drain the grey tanks every afternoon before it gets cold. How about dumping RV antifreeze into the tanks when a freeze is possible? I suppose I could use the FC to sleep, but not use any water that goes into the grey tanks (but this doesn't sound appealing). Is Albuquerque in January just too risky if I want to cook/live in the FC in a way that would add water to the grey tanks?

I would appreciate any advice anyone can offer.

Thanks.

[eubank]

One possibility would be to add tank heaters. From your discussion, I can see that you're pretty handy because I'd think tank heaters do well with a dedicated 12-volt circuit.

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Fresh-Wa...77-000164.html

[rbs]

sounds like you will be fine, dumping tanks and only below freezing at night, unhook your city water hose when you dump your tanks and have some water in your fresh water tank to use when off the city water

[BigAl]

If full hookups why not leave sewer hose connected to grey tanks with drain valves open so the tanks stay empty. Any water you drain from shower or sink would run right out.

[BikeCamper]

Originally Posted by RankAm

I have a renovated 1956 22' Flying Cloud, and I am contemplating taking her to Albuquerque and Tucson in mid-January 2025. I am concerned about the possibility of overnight freezing temperatures in Albuquerque, where I will be for maybe 4 nights.

My FC has an above-floor black tank, an above-floor fresh water tank under the front window (behind doors that open, which would permit warm air to circulate around the tank, especially if I pointed a fan into that area), and two grey tanks in the belly. All the fresh water plumbing is above or on the floor, and most of it is inside cabinets.

I have a forced-air furnace that easily can keep the cabin warm, but there is no ducting into the belly area. My concern is that the grey tanks (purchased from Vintage Trailer Supply) might freeze.

What is a good strategy to protect the grey tanks? I will be in an RV park with full hookups, so I could drain the grey tanks every afternoon before it gets cold. How about dumping RV antifreeze into the tanks when a freeze is possible? I suppose I could use the FC to sleep, but not use any water that goes into the grey tanks (but this doesn't sound appealing). Is Albuquerque in January just too risky if I want to cook/live in the FC in a way that would add water to the grey tanks?

I would appreciate any advice anyone can offer.

Thanks.

It’s counter-intuitive, but depending how cold it gets, you might be better off NOT draining the grey tanks before the overnight. For moderately cold temps that only dip below freezing during the overnight, a greater volume of water in the grey tanks is much less likely to freeze than a small amount is.

If you decide to drain the tanks in the evening, I would suggest adding some rv antifreeze to prevent freezing.

[RankAm]

Thanks, everyone, for your advice. I rescheduled the trip to March, so I have reduced somewhat the freezing risk.

[mojo]

Alamogordo or Las Cruces is a warmer alternative to ABQ.

[eubank]

A good idea. For what it's worth, it was 23f this morning where I live just outside of (and somewhat lower than) Albuquerque.
Lynn

Originally Posted by RankAm

Thanks, everyone, for your advice. I .the trip to March, so I have reduced somewhat the freezing risk.

[mejess1964]

Originally Posted by RankAm

I have a renovated 1956 22' Flying Cloud, and I am contemplating taking her to Albuquerque and Tucson in mid-January 2025. I am concerned about the possibility of overnight freezing temperatures in Albuquerque, where I will be for maybe 4 nights.

My FC has an above-floor black tank, an above-floor fresh water tank under the front window (behind doors that open, which would permit warm air to circulate around the tank, especially if I pointed a fan into that area), and two grey tanks in the belly. All the fresh water plumbing is above or on the floor, and most of it is inside cabinets.

I have a forced-air furnace that easily can keep the cabin warm, but there is no ducting into the belly area. My concern is that the grey tanks (purchased from Vintage Trailer Supply) might freeze.

What is a good strategy to protect the grey tanks? I will be in an RV park with full hookups, so I could drain the grey tanks every afternoon before it gets cold. How about dumping RV antifreeze into the tanks when a freeze is possible? I suppose I could use the FC to sleep, but not use any water that goes into the grey tanks (but this doesn't sound appealing). Is Albuquerque in January just too risky if I want to cook/live in the FC in a way that would add water to the grey tanks?

I would appreciate any advice anyone can offer.

Thanks.

I live here in ABQ... Sounds like you will be ok. The temps here dip to freezing occasionally during the night, but generally not too far. That's not to say that it couldn't happen. I like the suggestion of dumping every afternoon and keeping an eye on the weather.