Towing E-19 in Freezing Weather

[John-in-NE-Texas]

We're planning a 4-6 week round trip from Tyler, TX through NM and AZ and on to San Diego, CA, leaving the end of November. Destinations along the way include Lubbock TX, Las Cruces NM, Tucson and Yuma AZ, and San Diego.
I think this route will have the fewest weather problems. Please advise.
2. The E-19 has the standard propane furnace, Houghton AC with heat pump, 3000 Watt Victron inverter and 600 AH Big Beard Lithium battery.
3. My main question is how to handle freezing temperatures along the way. Should we keep the trailer winterized for the entire trip, using commercial stops for eating, showers and toilet? Or partially winterize with RV antifreeze in the fresh water tank to use for flushing the toilet? This may leave the gray and black tanks vulnerable to freezing, or will the antifreeze-treated water be sufficient protection? What percentage water-antifreeze solution will protect to -10 degrees F? Will I hate myself for treating the fresh water tank with antifreeze?
Any opinions or ideas will be appreciated.
John

 

[HABBERDABBER]

I'd never consider adding anti-freeze to the fresh water tank. NEVER, EVER! If you want to flush, take along a gallon or 3 of regular water in jugs.
You're asking for absolutes. Best practice is to keep your rig winterized until you hit warm climes. It depends on the weather conditions you're travelling through. Predictions of the weather are hard to make, especially about future, unforeseeable weather.
Use any anti-freeze in your black or possibly gray tanks, but I'd keep the rig winterized with the plumbing lines of fresh water dry. Jugged water works wonders.

 

[Ron in BC]

We've done quite a bit of travel with snow on the ground and not winterized. My "guideline" has always been that I'll probably be OK if daytime temperatures warm up well above freezing and I can plug in at night.

But at some point the overnight temperatures might not be workable. -10F is starting to be pretty cool.

I'm not sure if I'd risk it or not.

Ron

 

[occer]

Just for clarification, use RV antifreeze, none toxic RV antifreeze.
Not automotive antifreeze, it is very toxic, it can kill you.

When we are concerned about freezing we bring along a few gallon jugs of water. We buy fresh water for drinking and then refill them when empty to use to flush the toilet. As long as the holding tanks only have a few gallons of water even if it freeze they will not expand and split.

I always but the gallon jugs that have a screw top, the ones with friction caps can pop off and spill water, (don’t ask). We don’t add water to the fresh water tank when expecting freezing temperatures so no showers in the trailer.

 

[GinoandLinda]

This may leave the gray and black tanks vulnerable to freezing, or will the antifreeze-treated water be sufficient protection? What percentage water-antifreeze solution will protect to -10 degrees F? Will I hate myself for treating the fresh water tank with antifreeze?
Any opinions or ideas will be appreciated.

Even though that date range is encroaching on the dead of winter, I really doubt you will see -10F on that route. You don't mention if you have the spray foam treatment. If you do, I would pour some RV anti-freeze into your gray and black tanks after every dump. This will help protect the drain valves. We camp all year round and have yet to have a problem towing in temps well below freezing.

 

[OneCentHillman]

All of the above! Great advice.
Plus, when we camp in freezing overnight temps, we open the lower cabinet doors and bathroom door to expose plumbing to the warmer cabin air. Also keep the kitchen and bathroom taps open (assuming you're not hooked up to campground water or your water pump is not on). Would also suggest purchasing a heated water supply hose. May rarely need it, but it's handy when you do.

 

[Vic Harder]

I have a related question, which is, what kind of tires do you have on your trailer that enable you to tow in the snow (and ice?)

 

[GinoandLinda]

Regular old trailer tires. Goodyear Endurance on Carlisle Radial Trail

 

[HABBERDABBER]

I once passed by a 5th wheeler way in the ditch, who had hit a patch of thawing and refreezing light blown snow, creating black ice on an Interstate Hwy gentle turn. I was trailering too, and slowed down, way down. No way to see the black ice, everything looked just fine. Yeeps!
Winter travel is not my forte. But if you've got to do it, know your situation and forecasts, and whatever.....don't push it.
Mother Nature, and Father Time, RULE !.

 

[Ron in BC]

As others have said, just regular tires. But be aware that some jurisdictions have chain requirements that also include one trailer axle. We've never had to chain up our trailer but we've been prepared to wait out those conditions if necessary. As much as I'm not too worried about travelling with snow and ice, putting chains on a trailer is a place that I don't want to go.

Ron

 

[Viajante]

John, in lieu of a heated water hose I suggest disconnecting the water supply hose and allowing it to drain if the temp could get below 27F. Hoses freeze first and the in line filters also. If a filter full of water freezes it can expand and split during thawing.

 

[Jim Bennett]

We often deal with freezing temperatures when camping in shoulder seasons, pretty common up here. Like Ron, I too don't worry if it rises somewhat above freezing during the day. I've never had a problem. If heading south in the winter I do keep the trailer winterized until I get towards a bit warmer climate, but I do tend to drive straight through, so this is at the end of day two. I found Butte, Montana to be pretty cold in mid January (-19C/2F) and our furnace ran a lot through the night.

 

[John-in-NE-Texas]

John, in lieu of a heated water hose I suggest disconnecting the water supply hose and allowing it to drain if the temp could get below 27F. Hoses freeze first and the in line filters also. If a filter full of water freezes it can expand and split during thawing.

 

[John-in-NE-Texas]

Hello Vi. Thanks for your reply. I was planning to drain the fresh water tank, as well as the gray and black tanks before the trip. Then, put about 1/2 gal of pink antifreeze in each tank. Flush with bottled water and maybe another shot of antifreeze. Will not use the sinks or shower in cold weather. I had not considered disconnecting the water supply hose. Which would that be, city water or the manual fill? Where would I find the disconnects? Or would the open fresh water drain valve be enough?

 

[Radar1]

I live in GA and de-winterized before my trip to Quartzsite, AZ last year. Stopped in San Antonio for a week to visit two of my kids, and then an early cold front came through NW TX and NM, dropping temps to the teens at night and daytime highs in the low 20's.
I was able to purchase a gallon of RV antifreeze, and had an air compressor and valve to attach to my city water inlet. I winterized again, using the compressor to blow all the air out of the lines, and then used the T-valve inside the camper to suck enough antifreeze into the water pump to be sure there was no water in the pump.
I kept fresh water in some of the water jugs I carry.
I emptied my gray and black tanks, and poured some of the antifreeze into the drains and that got me through the several days of freezing temps.
Coming back through Texas, another cold front came through, so I stopped at a brewery in El Paso for the night, which allowed me to avoid re-winterizing again since El Paso was warmer than my planned spot further East.
Perhaps just carry a gallon of antifreeze, 12 volt air compressor, and a jug for fresh water, plus watching the temperatures on your route will work for your trip. I took a more Southern route through TX (Hwy 90 from San Antonio to Davis Mountain SP) so you might see colder temps than I saw.