How cold, and for how long, can you go? Using an Escape 21 in the winter

[ghosthunter]

Originally Posted by Centex

You mean like shelter from the weather and a (relatively) warm place under a trailer?

(If you build it, they will come .... )

You can keep a lot of critters away with cotton balls and Peppermint oil. Anything that blocks wind will keep your trailer warmer underneath.

[EscapeBoulder]

A slightly different cold weather question:

We have the Escape winter/thermal package: Under foam, tank heaters, thermal windows, I think some other extra insulation.

We're planning to transit from Boulder, CO to southern California and looking at the 10 day forecast along our route there would be two days with daytime high temperatures in the low 40's to high 30's and low overnight temperatures in the low 20's, to high teens. After that the temperature, even overnight won't drop below freezing.

We can run the tank heaters at least one of the cold nights plugged in at a campground.

Shall we stay winterized (with blown out water lines 'til it's warmer), or do you feel it'll be warm enough during the day (and with at least one night of tank heaters) to water up before we depart?

Thank you, in advance for your thoughts.

[HABBERDABBER]

Originally Posted by EscapeBoulder

Shall we stay winterized (with blown out water lines 'til it's warmer), or do you feel it'll be warm enough during the day (and with at least one night of tank heaters) to water up before we depart?

Predictions are hard to make....especially about the future.
High teens are cold, and your toilet flush valve is the most susceptible to damage.
If it's possible, stay winterized. If not, take your chances. The PEX water lines are super tough; the plumbing fixtures are weak links.
With onboard water containers, a solar shower bag for taking a shower, you could get by just swell. It's what I did with going to Florida in January from frozen tundra Wisconsin.
Your waste tanks wouldn't be harmed by below freezing temps. Flush the toilet with a jug of water.

[NEWYORKHILLBILLY]

Originally Posted by AndyF

I have a 2015 Escape 21 with factory foamed tanks. I'm in Central NY and have been using the trailer as a tiny house at a construction site as I renovate a house. I'd like to continue to use the trailer as a lunch room/office into the winter.

With the factory foamed tanks and the furnace and an electric space heater running, how low can the outside temp get before I have to worry about the freshwater tank or water lines outside of the heated space starting to freeze? Other than anti-freeze is there anything I can do with my black and grey water tanks?

we live very close so I know what the weather is local . with out any tank heater you be fine until day time temps get below freezing. I stayed some pretty cold nights down in the single digits as long as it goes above freezing in the day. being you don't need to move the trailer here is what i would do. skirt the out side with straw bales. I put a electric heater in the center under the trailer. I would set that heater on a metal plate in case it tipped over. I would put a remote thermometer under there so you could pug heater in as needed .

One thing i wish i put in my build was the tank heaters and some temp probes so I new what the inside tank temps where. I was camping a few weeks ago,But I winterized everything.

[NEWYORKHILLBILLY]

Originally Posted by EscapeBoulder

A slightly different cold weather question:

We have the Escape winter/thermal package: Under foam, tank heaters, thermal windows, I think some other extra insulation.

We're planning to transit from Boulder, CO to southern California and looking at the 10 day forecast along our route there would be two days with daytime high temperatures in the low 40's to high 30's and low overnight temperatures in the low 20's, to high teens. After that the temperature, even overnight won't drop below freezing.

We can run the tank heaters at least one of the cold nights plugged in at a campground.

Shall we stay winterized (with blown out water lines 'til it's warmer), or do you feel it'll be warm enough during the day (and with at least one night of tank heaters) to water up before we depart?

Thank you, in advance for your thoughts.

personally I think you be fine at them temps. I don't have the tank heaters and I done colder with out problems. I do put a little rv antifreeze in the shower drain on really cold night . That trap will be the first place to freeze on the 19'.

[cpaharley2008]

I ordered 12v tank heaters on one of my Escapes and realized they are not suitable due to their high battery use unless you are hooked up! If you are hooked up then an auxiliary electric heater will suffice to keep the trailer warm enough that the fresh tank will not freeze with the foam option. Your decision.....

[EscapeBoulder]

CPAHarley: Since the fresh & gray water tanks are below the trailer's cab, I'm not sure that an electric heater in the cab will warm the tanks all that much. Of course you're right about the Escape installed tank heaters: They're really only useable when plugged into 120v

Since it got down to 15 degs F last night, we've decided to remain "winterized" 'til the temperatures warm up to a minimum of mid-twenties (F) overnight. Better to be safe than sorry!

[cpaharley2008]

I wonder if they make 120V tank heaters? Probably more efficient.....

[EscapeBoulder]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I wonder if they make 120V tank heaters? Probably more efficient.....

I believe the tank heaters that Escape installed in our 2018 19'er are both 12v and 120v. And if I remember correctly at 12v they take in the range of 10 amps. 1 amp at 120v.

[Sands]

Not a 21, but we got caught in the Texas freeze last winter and survived three days/nights with lows in the mid-teens and highs in the 30's. Had power for most of that time and kept the interior at 60 with a small space heater. Underfoam, but no tank heaters. Stuffed the exterior shower and landing gear hatches full of insulation. Heated hot water tank every night before bed & it would still be giving off heat in the under bench space in the morning. No damages to lines, tanks, or fixtures.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by Oldtimer

Just leave the rooster at home unless one has designs on chicken n dumplings or a chicken pot pie for supper when he wakes you from a deep sleep n a wonderful dream 😴 lol

David

We have a rooster here at La Posa West in the Quartzsite LTVA, along with a couple of hens, although they have a coop. About a 1/4 mile from my trailer and I can hear him every morning. I feel for those parked closer to the coop unless they like early morning crowing!

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I wonder if they make 120V tank heaters? Probably more efficient.....

They are out there…
https://www.amazon.com/UltraHeat-AMM...43057749&psc=1

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by Vermilye

We have a rooster here at La Posa West in the Quartzsite LTVA, along with a couple of hens, although they have a coop. About a 1/4 mile from my trailer and I can hear him every morning. I feel for those parked closer to the coop unless they like early morning crowing!

Jon: Someone really travels with chickens and a coop? Seems rather odd.

[brroberts]

My ETI tank heaters are both 120 & 12 volt, ETI only wired the 12v side. I wish they only wired the 120 side personally because without 120 you are not going to be using them.

[Vermilye]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Jon: Someone really travels with chickens and a coop? Seems rather odd.

Well, they have a rather odd RV:

[cpaharley2008]

That photo reminds me of the "Beverly Hillbillies" show......

[TTMartin]

Originally Posted by EscapeBoulder

A slightly different cold weather question:

We have the Escape winter/thermal package: Under foam, tank heaters, thermal windows, I think some other extra insulation.

We're planning to transit from Boulder, CO to southern California and looking at the 10 day forecast along our route there would be two days with daytime high temperatures in the low 40's to high 30's and low overnight temperatures in the low 20's, to high teens. After that the temperature, even overnight won't drop below freezing.

We can run the tank heaters at least one of the cold nights plugged in at a campground.

Shall we stay winterized (with blown out water lines 'til it's warmer), or do you feel it'll be warm enough during the day (and with at least one night of tank heaters) to water up before we depart?

Thank you, in advance for your thoughts.

If you have the fresh water tank heater on preheating the tank before you leave and you have some help from solar you should be able to leave the tank heater on as you drive.

As you are driving and overnight an overnight also be sure your furnace is on set to at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit and your water heater is turned on propane.

Be careful using your tank heater on a completely empty grey tank. You risk melting the tank running the heater with no water in the tank. I would put in a gallon of RV antifreeze and skip the tank heater until you get more in the tank.