Winter approaches

[Ryan Wright]

Hard to believe cold weather will be here soon. Just a few more weeks
and I'll be needing heat at night.

I need advice on surviving my first winter and I want to get a jump on
any work I'll need to do to the coach, so I can do it while it's still
warm outside. I'll be living in my coach all winter with 50 amp
service available. I have many questions:

1. Where can I buy new electric heaters? At least a couple of mine do
not work properly.
2. What might freeze or break, and how do I prevent it?
3. Are my holding tanks heated, and how?
4. The interior will be kept warm 24/7 so fresh water and plumbing
should be OK - or will it?
5. There are thermostats with funky electric heaters under the beds
and some of the plumbing appears to be wrapped in that heat tape stuff
- any advice on dealing with this?
6. How do I dump my holding tanks when it's freezing outside? Same as
usual? I'd planned on macerating into a sewer line but will the pump
be OK?
7. How do I check my engine & battery heaters, & how do I get the 8V92
and the Yanmar genset started in the dead of winter?
8. Any other winter advice from the full timers?
9. Winter driving advice? I won't be doing much and will try to avoid
snow, but may hit some visiting relatives in December. Will the PT-40
generally walk over it, or will I be prone to sliding off the road
like I would in a pickup? I've never driven anything this heavy in the
snow.

Winter temps here aren't severe. Typical nights are in the 30's, but
we do see a couple of weeks of 10-20 degree nights and, every few
years, we get some 0 degree stuff. I've lived here over 25 years and
can only recall one time temps dipped much below 0.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92
Tri-Cities, WA

[jim riordan]

Ryan,

MOVE TO FLORIDA!

Jim Riordan
88 WBLW XXV
Stuart, Fl.

Ryan Wright wrote:
Hard to believe cold weather will be here soon. Just a few more weeks
and I'll be needing heat at night.

I need advice on surviving my first winter and I want to get a jump on
any work I'll need to do to the coach, so I can do it while it's still
warm outside. I'll be living in my coach all winter with 50 amp
service available. I have many questions:

1. Where can I buy new electric heaters? At least a couple of mine do
not work properly.
2. What might freeze or break, and how do I prevent it?
3. Are my holding tanks heated, and how?
4. The interior will be kept warm 24/7 so fresh water and plumbing
should be OK - or will it?
5. There are thermostats with funky electric heaters under the beds
and some of the plumbing appears to be wrapped in that heat tape stuff
- any advice on dealing with this?
6. How do I dump my holding tanks when it's freezing outside? Same as
usual? I'd planned on macerating into a sewer line but will the pump
be OK?
7. How do I check my engine & battery heaters, & how do I get the 8V92
and the Yanmar genset started in the dead of winter?
8. Any other winter advice from the full timers?
9. Winter driving advice? I won't be doing much and will try to avoid
snow, but may hit some visiting relatives in December. Will the PT-40
generally walk over it, or will I be prone to sliding off the road
like I would in a pickup? I've never driven anything this heavy in the
snow.

Winter temps here aren't severe. Typical nights are in the 30's, but
we do see a couple of weeks of 10-20 degree nights and, every few
years, we get some 0 degree stuff. I've lived here over 25 years and
can only recall one time temps dipped much below 0.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92
Tri-Cities, WA





---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Pete Masterson]

On Aug 15, 2007, at 10:10 AM, Ryan Wright wrote:

> <snip>
> 1. Where can I buy new electric heaters? At least a couple of mine do
> not work properly.

If you're referring to the under-cabinet heaters, my coach seems to
have the Perfectoe® under cabinet heaters. See info at this url:
<http://www.cadetco.com/show_product.php?prodid=1005>
Search the Internet for a good price.

> 2. What might freeze or break, and how do I prevent it?

Your coach is 9 years older than mine ... so I'm not sure. If you
have a basement heater, be sure to turn it on. Get a thermometer that
registers the high and low so you can check the extremes (and adjust
the basement thermostat accordingly). I encountered some freezing
temperatures in Denver this spring and had no difficulties beyond
starting the engine when we decided to get the heck out of there....

> 3. Are my holding tanks heated, and how?

Well, there in the basement -- that helps. Dump valves _can_ freeze
up, though.

> 4. The interior will be kept warm 24/7 so fresh water and plumbing
> should be OK - or will it?

It appears to be in my coach. I note that the '95 is pretty well
insulated. While re-flooring my coach, I opened the wire chases and I
was surprised to discover that some water pipes near the kitchen are
wrapped with some-sort of electric stuff. Don't know what turns it on
or how.

> 5. There are thermostats with funky electric heaters under the beds
> and some of the plumbing appears to be wrapped in that heat tape stuff
> - any advice on dealing with this?

Make sure it isn't deteriorated. Another 'bird owner had a (literal)
melt down.

> 6. How do I dump my holding tanks when it's freezing outside? Same as
> usual? I'd planned on macerating into a sewer line but will the pump
> be OK?

I didn't have trouble in Denver's freezing temps -- but it was
spring, not the heart of winter. I'd put the macerator pump into a
warmer place in the basement. Have a hair dryer handy. Worst case,
head south.

> 7. How do I check my engine & battery heaters, & how do I get the 8V92
> and the Yanmar genset started in the dead of winter?

The Series 60 was a bear to get started -- and I had the block heater
on for 24 hours. It eventually started ... then stumbled on for quite
some time. I was glad I'd been on shore power as I could use the
bypass switch to join the house and engine batteries (and all were
fully charged).

The generator, however, wasn't all that bad. The glow plugs help the
starting and by holding them on for an extra 10 seconds or so (about
40 seconds instead of about 30), then it kicked right over.

> 8. Any other winter advice from the full timers?

Head south -- as far south as you can go ... or to coastal California/
Oregon.

> 9. Winter driving advice? I won't be doing much and will try to avoid
> snow, but may hit some visiting relatives in December. Will the PT-40
> generally walk over it, or will I be prone to sliding off the road
> like I would in a pickup? I've never driven anything this heavy in the
> snow.

Well, one FC is being 'parted out' because it flipped onto its side
while entering a freeway on-ramp. Take it _really_ easy. I haven't
had much experience driving my bird in the snow. I don't want the
experience...

>
> Winter temps here aren't severe. Typical nights are in the 30's, but
> we do see a couple of weeks of 10-20 degree nights and, every few
> years, we get some 0 degree stuff. I've lived here over 25 years and
> can only recall one time temps dipped much below 0.

It's a little warmer here, but we do get bouts of "hard freezes" some
winters ... but my spring stay in Denver dropped into the 20s or
teens most nights but was up to as high as 40 during the day. I also
spent 10 days near Ft. Bragg CA during a January freeze (nights in
the 20s and low 30s, days in the 40s). Had no issues with the coach
due to the weather.

There are differences due to the relative ages of our coaches ... but
I'm guessing there's a lot of similarities as well. Mostly use common
sense, insulate what you can, and keep the heat on.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
El Sobrante CA
aeonix1@...



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[bloomas]

----- Original Message -----
From: Ryan Wright
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com ; wanderlodge@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:10 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Winter approaches
Ryan I replace my bathroon heater bought it at Grainger
Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36



Hard to believe cold weather will be here soon. Just a few more weeks
and I'll be needing heat at night.

I need advice on surviving my first winter and I want to get a jump on
any work I'll need to do to the coach, so I can do it while it's still
warm outside. I'll be living in my coach all winter with 50 amp
service available. I have many questions:

1. Where can I buy new electric heaters? At least a couple of mine do
not work properly.
2. What might freeze or break, and how do I prevent it?
3. Are my holding tanks heated, and how?
4. The interior will be kept warm 24/7 so fresh water and plumbing
should be OK - or will it?
5. There are thermostats with funky electric heaters under the beds
and some of the plumbing appears to be wrapped in that heat tape stuff
- any advice on dealing with this?
6. How do I dump my holding tanks when it's freezing outside? Same as
usual? I'd planned on macerating into a sewer line but will the pump
be OK?
7. How do I check my engine & battery heaters, & how do I get the 8V92
and the Yanmar genset started in the dead of winter?
8. Any other winter advice from the full timers?
9. Winter driving advice? I won't be doing much and will try to avoid
snow, but may hit some visiting relatives in December. Will the PT-40
generally walk over it, or will I be prone to sliding off the road
like I would in a pickup? I've never driven anything this heavy in the
snow.

Winter temps here aren't severe. Typical nights are in the 30's, but
we do see a couple of weeks of 10-20 degree nights and, every few
years, we get some 0 degree stuff. I've lived here over 25 years and
can only recall one time temps dipped much below 0.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92
Tri-Cities, WA




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Gardner Yeaw]

Ryan,
One of the common problems is the shower drain freezing. Since
it has a P trap it is very vulnerable. Heaters are one answer, but I
would suggest a little pink stuff after your morning shower to
insure a non-freeze condition the next morning. I believe Ernie
Ekberg suffered that problem last winter. Once frozen it is a real
pain to thaw it out.

Other than that, wherever there is water there needs to be some
system for preventing freeze-ups. Heat tapes, area heaters, tank
heaters, etc.

Gardner
78FC33


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bloomas"
wrote:
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ryan Wright
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com ;
wanderlodge@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:10 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Winter approaches
> Ryan I replace my bathroon heater bought it at Grainger
> Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36
>
>
>
> Hard to believe cold weather will be here soon. Just a few more
weeks
> and I'll be needing heat at night.
>
> I need advice on surviving my first winter and I want to get a
jump on
> any work I'll need to do to the coach, so I can do it while it's
still
> warm outside. I'll be living in my coach all winter with 50 amp
> service available. I have many questions:
>
> 1. Where can I buy new electric heaters? At least a couple of
mine do
> not work properly.
> 2. What might freeze or break, and how do I prevent it?
> 3. Are my holding tanks heated, and how?
> 4. The interior will be kept warm 24/7 so fresh water and
plumbing
> should be OK - or will it?
> 5. There are thermostats with funky electric heaters under the
beds
> and some of the plumbing appears to be wrapped in that heat tape
stuff
> - any advice on dealing with this?
> 6. How do I dump my holding tanks when it's freezing outside?
Same as
> usual? I'd planned on macerating into a sewer line but will the
pump
> be OK?
> 7. How do I check my engine & battery heaters, & how do I get
the 8V92
> and the Yanmar genset started in the dead of winter?
> 8. Any other winter advice from the full timers?
> 9. Winter driving advice? I won't be doing much and will try to
avoid
> snow, but may hit some visiting relatives in December. Will the
PT-40
> generally walk over it, or will I be prone to sliding off the
road
> like I would in a pickup? I've never driven anything this heavy
in the
> snow.
>
> Winter temps here aren't severe. Typical nights are in the 30's,
but
> we do see a couple of weeks of 10-20 degree nights and, every few
> years, we get some 0 degree stuff. I've lived here over 25 years
and
> can only recall one time temps dipped much below 0.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8V92
> Tri-Cities, WA
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Bob Lawrence]

Hi Ryan,
We head south in Nov (finally retire), but maybe I can tell you what
we do.
We live in our rig fulltime for the past 4 years and have had some
freezing temps here in tacky Tacoma (Lakewood).

>
> 1. Where can I buy new electric heaters? At least a couple of mine
do not work properly.
I disconnected mine cause didn't trust them (age thing). Since we
live in it fulltime, the heat is adaquate to keep the pipes warm.

> 2. What might freeze or break, and how do I prevent it?
Anything outside can freeze. On ours the shower drain pipes are not
foamed so any water in it will freeze at the drains.
Put in some pink rv stuff after each use of sinks and shower and it
will help.
> 3. Are my holding tanks heated, and how?
I would guess your tanks are like mine..none heated. They have
heating pads (120v) that can be placed on the bottom of the tank.
Have to scrape away the foam to install them tho.
> 4. The interior will be kept warm 24/7 so fresh water and plumbing
> should be OK - or will it?
Should be, except for bathroom..may have to leave door open a crack
or put a vent in the bottom of door.
> 5. There are thermostats with funky electric heaters under the beds
> and some of the plumbing appears to be wrapped in that heat tape
stuff
> - any advice on dealing with this?
I disconnected them because of age and don't trust the heat tapes
that are this old.
> 6. How do I dump my holding tanks when it's freezing outside? Same
as usual? I'd planned on macerating into a sewer line but will the
pump be OK?
Drain might not be able to be pulled open. Have a hair dryer handy.
> 7. How do I check my engine & battery heaters, & how do I get the
8V92
> and the Yanmar genset started in the dead of winter?
My 6v92 has an engine heater switch behind bed. I have put an
electric heating pad over genset to keep it warm and didn't have any
problem starting it.
> 8. Any other winter advice from the full timers?
Maybe if you can, could you put something around the bottom of the
rig to keep the cold air from whistling through underneath?
> 9. Winter driving advice? I won't be doing much and will try to
avoid
> snow, but may hit some visiting relatives in December. Will the PT-
40
> generally walk over it, or will I be prone to sliding off the road
> like I would in a pickup? I've never driven anything this heavy in
the
> snow.
Hit snow last winter in Anacortes..worst storm we had here in years.
Had to get back to Lakewood, so went for it. Dumped the tag air,
putting more weight on drives and went down I-5 passing cars that
couldn't get traction and were headed for the ditch...scary..but no
problem
Bob Lawrence
84 PT36
Tacoma, Wa.
>
> Winter temps here aren't severe. Typical nights are in the 30's, but
> we do see a couple of weeks of 10-20 degree nights and, every few
> years, we get some 0 degree stuff. I've lived here over 25 years and
> can only recall one time temps dipped much below 0.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8V92
> Tri-Cities, WA
>

[Chuck Wheeler]

Due to our winter trips north, I got some two part foam from Grainger and
sprayed it up around the trap and other places. When dry it looks like the
original foam insulation. It cures in about 15 sec. So far been in -5 with
nothing frozen. I will have to cut it out if I ever have to get at the
trap. I used the same stuff to re-insulate after we changed the power
steering unit.



- Chuck Wheeler -

82 FC 31 SB

Fort Worth, TX

_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gardner Yeaw
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 8:13 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Winter approaches



Ryan,
One of the common problems is the shower drain freezing. Since
it has a P trap it is very vulnerable. Heaters are one answer, but I
would suggest a little pink stuff after your morning shower to
insure a non-freeze condition the next morning. I believe Ernie
Ekberg suffered that problem last winter. Once frozen it is a real
pain to thaw it out.

Other than that, wherever there is water there needs to be some
system for preventing freeze-ups. Heat tapes, area heaters, tank
heaters, etc.

Gardner
78FC33

--- In WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com, "bloomas"
wrote:
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ryan Wright
> To: WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com ;
wanderlodge@ yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2007 12:10 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Winter approaches
> Ryan I replace my bathroon heater bought it at Grainger
> Bob Loomas 1985 PT 36
>
>
>
> Hard to believe cold weather will be here soon. Just a few more
weeks
> and I'll be needing heat at night.
>
> I need advice on surviving my first winter and I want to get a
jump on
> any work I'll need to do to the coach, so I can do it while it's
still
> warm outside. I'll be living in my coach all winter with 50 amp
> service available. I have many questions:
>
> 1. Where can I buy new electric heaters? At least a couple of
mine do
> not work properly.
> 2. What might freeze or break, and how do I prevent it?
> 3. Are my holding tanks heated, and how?
> 4. The interior will be kept warm 24/7 so fresh water and
plumbing
> should be OK - or will it?
> 5. There are thermostats with funky electric heaters under the
beds
> and some of the plumbing appears to be wrapped in that heat tape
stuff
> - any advice on dealing with this?
> 6. How do I dump my holding tanks when it's freezing outside?
Same as
> usual? I'd planned on macerating into a sewer line but will the
pump
> be OK?
> 7. How do I check my engine & battery heaters, & how do I get
the 8V92
> and the Yanmar genset started in the dead of winter?
> 8. Any other winter advice from the full timers?
> 9. Winter driving advice? I won't be doing much and will try to
avoid
> snow, but may hit some visiting relatives in December. Will the
PT-40
> generally walk over it, or will I be prone to sliding off the
road
> like I would in a pickup? I've never driven anything this heavy
in the
> snow.
>
> Winter temps here aren't severe. Typical nights are in the 30's,
but
> we do see a couple of weeks of 10-20 degree nights and, every few
> years, we get some 0 degree stuff. I've lived here over 25 years
and
> can only recall one time temps dipped much below 0.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8V92
> Tri-Cities, WA
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[trudylundgren]

Ryan --

We have done some winter "camping" without too much difficulty. My adivce:

1. Buy a heating element for your waterhose. Available at Home Depot and other
such
stores fro $15-20. After installing, cover your hose with 1" pipe foam pipe
insulation, also
readily available and cheap, and then wrap the whole thing in duct tape. With
this setup
you can leave your water connection open all the time.

2. If you're sitting still for any length of time, skirting the Rv helps a LOT.
You can spend
money on custom skirting or use hay bales (really good insulation) or even heavy
duty
plastic held on by duct tape. Ugly but functional. Skirting also help to keep
your floor a lot
warmer as well as preventing plumbing freezing.

3. Keep your heaters on. We kept our electric heater on 24/7 and supplemented
with
propane. If you're sitting still, a supplemental propane bottle, available from
local supplier,
is a good idea, cause you'll use a lot of propane.

4. Don't drive when it's snowing and head south as soon as possible.

Trudy & Lisa
1985 PT 40 - "The Catbird Seat"
Currently in Rock Springs, WY and headed to Colorado after Labor Day




-- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Ryan Wright" wrote:
>
> Hard to believe cold weather will be here soon. Just a few more weeks
> and I'll be needing heat at night.
>
> I need advice on surviving my first winter and I want to get a jump on
> any work I'll need to do to the coach, so I can do it while it's still
> warm outside. I'll be living in my coach all winter with 50 amp
> service available. I have many questions:
>
> 1. Where can I buy new electric heaters? At least a couple of mine do
> not work properly.
> 2. What might freeze or break, and how do I prevent it?
> 3. Are my holding tanks heated, and how?
> 4. The interior will be kept warm 24/7 so fresh water and plumbing
> should be OK - or will it?
> 5. There are thermostats with funky electric heaters under the beds
> and some of the plumbing appears to be wrapped in that heat tape stuff
> - any advice on dealing with this?
> 6. How do I dump my holding tanks when it's freezing outside? Same as
> usual? I'd planned on macerating into a sewer line but will the pump
> be OK?
> 7. How do I check my engine & battery heaters, & how do I get the 8V92
> and the Yanmar genset started in the dead of winter?
> 8. Any other winter advice from the full timers?
> 9. Winter driving advice? I won't be doing much and will try to avoid
> snow, but may hit some visiting relatives in December. Will the PT-40
> generally walk over it, or will I be prone to sliding off the road
> like I would in a pickup? I've never driven anything this heavy in the
> snow.
>
> Winter temps here aren't severe. Typical nights are in the 30's, but
> we do see a couple of weeks of 10-20 degree nights and, every few
> years, we get some 0 degree stuff. I've lived here over 25 years and
> can only recall one time temps dipped much below 0.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8V92
> Tri-Cities, WA
>