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Freeze Alert

Looks like the country is about to turn into a deep freeze next week, even in the Florida panhandle where we live.  Any tips on keeping freezing away from our pipe's without winterizing? 

2004 U295 without aquahot and plugged into 50 amp with water tank full. Thanks!
Carl and Fran Isner
'04 U295 36'
Ford Ranger Toad

Re: Freeze Alert

Reply #1 –
Good morning Carl,

We live in West Texas.  In 11 years of ownership, we have never "winterized" our coach with the pink stuff.  We survived the Great Texas Freeze of 2021 (6 days in a row of below zero temps) using procedures below.

Our temps do get below freezing every winter, but not really cold for very long.  Mostly in the 20's for a few days at a time.  Teens very seldom.

Our coach is plugged into 50 amp shore power in our driveway.  We don't have a barn or cover - it just sits outside and shivers (or sweats, as the case may be).

I prefer to use electric heaters as primary, and propane heaters as backup.  Here in Texas, electricity is relatively cheap.  Going to town to fill our propane tank is a major hassle.

For primary heat I place small thermostatically controlled electric heaters around the coach.  To protect the water system there is one in each end of the wet bay.  Inside the coach, one in the bathroom, one in the kitchen, and one in the living room.  I also place a small heater on the dash to keep the windshield area warm (helps to reduce condensation on inside of glass.

These heaters are all set to come on at about 60 degrees so they can stay ahead of the cold temps.  It is 33 degrees here today and I went out early this morning to check the coach.  I have remote temp sensors in the big center storage bay and both ends of the wet bay with readout inside the coach.  All 3 bay sensors showed about 65 degrees.  It was also 65 inside the coach.

I also turn our coach propane heaters ON and set them to the lowest setting on the wall thermostat - about 50 degrees.  If for any reason my small electric heaters cannot maintain the interior temp then the propane heaters will kick on to supplement.

If shore power fails to the coach then the electric heaters (not on inverter circuit) will shut off, so in that case the propane heaters will take over.  Since I check the coach every day, I could also fire up the generator to power the electric heaters, if it ever became necessary.

By the way, the full water tank is a good idea.  The water warms up when ambient temps are warm, and becomes a big passive heat source for the wet bay when temps get cold.

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Freeze Alert

Reply #2 –
Just run your propane heaters at 45* and put a small electric heater in the wet bay as backup. You can get thermostatic outlet plugs on Amazon if the heater isn't thermostatic.

It really needs to get quite cold, down into the 20s for an extended period of time, before your coach even needs the heat on if it's all buttoned up. They hold quite a bit of heat mass as they are.

If you can't run the propane where you are at, put another electric heater in the kitchen and just make sure it's on a different breaker than the one in the basement.

I would probably turn on the water heater too because I'm paranoid like that.


1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Freeze Alert

Reply #3 –
A big area of cold indeed. We're in New Orleans, freeze warning here as well. Elliott gives good advice.
Gary and Darlene
2008 Nimbus SE 4030 Tahoe
Build #6463

Re: Freeze Alert

Reply #4 –

A couple months ago I picked up some Bluetooth wireless remote temp sensors to place around inside our house.  I was checking out the performance of our new home A/C system.  The sensors worked so well I got 3 more - one for our garage and 2 for our coach.  The coach sits in our driveway outside our house.  I can sit inside the house comfy in my slippers, sipping my tea, and keep an eye on the temps in the coach interior and wet bay.  Will be very handy for the upcoming cold snap!

Amazon.com: SwitchBot IP65 Indoor Outdoor Hygrometer Thermometer Wireless...

Remote Wireless Temperature Sensor


As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Freeze Alert

Reply #5 –
Here are a few additions to those listed above: Close all windows, vents, and curtains. Put a small fan up near the ceiling to direct the warm air that stratifies up there to mix with the ambient air throughout the coach. (it is amazing how effective this air circulation is) Slightly open all cabinets (don't forget the medicine cabinet) and inside doors. Leave the toilet seat up---and tell the DW why.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Freeze Alert

Reply #6 –
Having lived for decades in very cold South Dakota. I second Elliott's thermal mass statement. fill the fresh tank. 

In a cold snap water just doesn't instantly freeze. It needs to be cold for quite some time to actually freeze solid enough to cause damage.  Hoses along the ground are an exception due to their small mass.

If you don't have any small thermostatically controlled heaters. You can just run light bulbs in the wet bays. Yes, they will run all the time. But the electric cost would not likely add up to the cost of buying multiple heaters that you only use on rare occasions.  And the propane heat and water heater set to it's lowest is fine for the interior.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: Freeze Alert

Reply #7 –
Putting reflective shield on the windshield helps a lot. It can be cut to fit tight and it is good
in the summer to keep solar heat out.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Freeze Alert

Reply #8 –
Great advice from all!  Slides in or out?
Carl and Fran Isner
'04 U295 36'
Ford Ranger Toad

Re: Freeze Alert

Reply #11 –
I'm an olde english dick haha and I don't understand it !
88 Grand Villa 36' ORED 3208 (throwaway)Cat.
 Build # 3150
Happiness is the maximum agreement of reality and desire.

Re: Freeze Alert

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Olde English –
I'm an olde english dick haha and I don't understand it !
How about, "6 of one and half a dozen of the other"....same thing.
1998 U295 36'
Build# 5358

SMILE!....it makes people wonder what you have been doing.