When to “summerize”?

[drjp]

Hi. I just moved from the sunny California Sierra (“Winter? What’s that?”) to 60 miles north of NYC, arriving in a blizzard.

So, when do you northern types typically go for it and de-winterize your rigs?

Thanks!
Jonathan

 

[kstock11]

Whether in the north or the south, it pays to be able to easily switch from winterized to summer and back. Otherwise you’ll miss many opportunities to camp. Depending on the year and opportunities, I’ll change over several times. When in doubt, I’ll at least winterize the toilet when it’s borderline.

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

california sierra has serious winters, at least the high sierra does, like above about 5000' or 6000 feet. geez, north tahoe area can be buried under 20 or 30 feet of snow on a good winter.

 

[drjp]

Yep, that’s what I thought. Get going with summer prep but be ready to switch back at any time.

Sure, easy 2 meters snow up high, especially in Soda Springs (off 10 to the east of Donner Summit), but down where I lived at 2300’, I winterized just three months or so.

Thanks for your thoughts!

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

ah, 2300 feet is 'the foothills'

my son has lived in Reno the last 5-6 years although he's in the UK now.

 

[drjp]

Yep, the Sierra foothills—Nevada City CA.
We used to wonder why the older two story houses there often had a door in a second story wall with no associated balcony. Once, two-three meter snow accumulations weren’t uncommon at that elevation; hence the door. No more. Now it’s a seven-eight month fire season. :-(

 

[Dave Walter]

I winterize by draining tanks, blowing out the water supply lines, and putting RV antifreeze in the traps. For me, there is no work involved in "de-winterizing" other than refilling the freshwater tank, putting beer in the fridge and heading out camping.

 

[nepaweb]

So, when do you northern types typically go for it and de-winterize your rigs?

Thanks!
Jonathan

Hello Jonathan. Welcome to the Northeast.

I live a few hours west of you at an elevation of about 1600'.
I am de-winterizing my trailer this week and doing a shakedown trip in preparation for more extended travel starting in May.
I'll be keeping an eye on the weather and plan on draining the tanks and blowing out the lines should freezing weather occur.

In our area the risk of frost lasts till Memorial day and we have seen snow as late as May 18.
In a normal year we set out garden plants after mid May with only a small risk of frost damage.

Hope this information is helpful,
Kevin