Timing for De-Winterizing/Winterizing

[By the Bay]

Is there a rule of thumb for when the trailer should be winterized?
And, conversely, when it is safe to be un-winterized?

This could be expressed in temperature or, if you live in the Vancouver BC/White Rock/Bellingham area, just straight out tell me the dates! LOL

We un-winterized for our first out-of-the-driveway camping experience this past weekend and now I'm wondering if I should re-winterize it (frost on the ground this morning).

My bottom line question is how do I relate the outside weather/temps to what will result in damage-causing trouble to the trailer's water system.

Thanks! I've googled and all I see are winterizing directions, but not a rule of thumb for timing.

(And, "Hello!"... we bought a new 19' at the end of last year... we're very happy!)

By the Bay

[gbaglo]

With the temps we've had this winter on the coast, we probably didn't need to winterize at all. Even overnight, it didn't get all that cold.

[ddevin]

I've heard that you need a "hard frost" to do damage i.e. below minus 10 celcius. My personal limit would be minus 5, but I would not worry too much with temperatures that just dip below freezing. For peace of mind, I winterize early October, and de-winterize in May, but I'm in Alberta!

[barry]

We've camped at minus 6 at night with no problems, though it did warm up in the day. I've got my trailer all ready to go right now (Fraser Valley) because, as ddevin says, I wouldn't worry if it dips just below freezing for a short time.

Barry

[By the Bay]

All this thinking about unwinterizing the trailer has got us thinking about the reverse process for the fall.

Looking at the hot water heater...
We're wondering what tool do you use to remove the hot water heater drain plug?

I don't think we currently own a wrench that can manage that awkward space, so we need to get something on the shopping list (while we're thinking about it now!).

What do you use?

Thanks!!

[gbaglo]

I use a socket wrench with a 1 1/16" socket and a short extension. I put three or four loonies or toonies ( you can use quarters ) in the socket so that it presses firmly against the plug when I re-install it.

You will also need teflon tape to wrap the threads on the plug when you re-install it after draining.

[By the Bay]

Excellent info!
Thank you.
Things are always easier with the correct tool.

[float5]

There are quite a few winterizing threads that you can do a search on and they have all of the details on winterizing.

[dave macrae]

In light of the foot of snow we got yesterday any plans for us to de-winterize seem only a dream at this point. Good job I didn't bother with fuel stabilizer in the snow blower yet.