Winter approaches

[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
>