Avoid freezing in your RV

Avoid freezing in your RV. We are getting into winter. And if you are still RVing it can be a challenge to stay warm. Today we will give you some practical tips to RVing in freezing weather. That's assuming you can't travel to Florida.
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[@johnlynch5221]

I like the electric blanket tip. Most of our bed is over top the storage area. It's like jumping into a cold swimming pool.

[@donaldmorgan1773]

Todd's Howeverlongittakes Tech Tip Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday. Great info as usual. Merry Christmas.

[@annej5699]

I second David Dwyer's statement. READ ELECTRIC BLANKET INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. Many, possibly most, state they should NOT be covered by anything else. This means no second blanket over the electric blanket. Overheating of the electric blanket can result. Additionally, electric mattress pads are designed to be laid on top of, but electric blankets are not. LAYING ON TOP OF AN ELECTRIC BLANKET CAN BURN YOU. Not to mention the cord design is less comfortable than an electric mattress pad.

[@lishster]

Thanks for the fantastic info Todd! You are such a stud and a rock star! 😁

[@msheron]

Awesome tech tips Todd! The electric blanket tip is awesome!

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

thanks for watching

[@kathleenrutherford733]

Thank You so much for sharing your expertise information, I truly appreciate it

[@MyRanger12]

I live in Arizona, great tips. Love the channel.

[@durango8882]

New subscriber and my Go To guy for information. Thank you ✌🏻

[@bertkelly7650]

Thanks Tuesday tech Todd! Like the idea for the e blanket. I'm like you, I don't camp in the winter.👌

[@briangillespie3640]

Thank You Sir, Great tip on filling the water tank ahead of time, We Boondock in Northern AZ on occasion and temps drop quick, Keep up the good Work, Thanks Brian

[@samscott54]

Excellent and clear

[@WILDEBILL308]

Great information. Like you I like the go south option. However I am in the DFW area. With my last RV I used a separate heavy duty extension cord from the power pole to run power to my basement where I used a small ceramic space heater with a fan to keep the pipes from freezing. I used 2 space heaters on the inside for a little heat. I found I could use them set on low and they didn't draw over 15 amps on the 50 amp service. I was carful to use different 15 amp circuits. Now when it was forecast to be realey cold or I was staying in the RV I would use the 2 propane furnaces to keep it toasty.

[@beckyls9068]

Great advance.Thankyou so MUCH!!!!!!

[@JandAReview1]

Polar fleece sheets help a lot! Tell Told he’s Awesome!

[@roaddog1m]

2016 Forrest River Cherokee. Got down to 0⁰ for two nights in North Georgia a month ago. I used tarp/gorilla tape as skirting and a small space heater under the tanks. No problem. Single digits and didn't turn on the space heater but still good.

[@roaddog1m]

Kept my furnace running of course

[@JI-ov1su]

So stoked. On my way to class now! Start date is Jan 2nd! These videos rock! Cannot wait to learn more!

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

You got this!

[@hammer48ful]

My water tank is under our kitchen seats. Put a vent in the side of the seats so the warm air can get into the tank area. Also open cabinets to let air into pipes.

[@walescan2514]

Good stuff, you can also use a 6 ft extension cord for residential air conditioning unit witch is 15 amp 14 guage

[@daviddwyer8631]

Make sure your electric blanket is designed to be used under your fitted sheet. Not all electric blankets can be used under your fitted sheets. To be on the safe side, purchase a heated mattress pad that is designed to be slept on.

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Thank you. Thats great they they make heated mattress pads.

[@daviddwyer8631]

@NationalRVTrainingAcademy it is actually a little dangerous sleeping on an electric blanket. The pressure the weight the body puts on the blanket can break down the wires quicker than expected and cause a fire. I have only seen a half dozen or so fires caused by electric blankets in my 45 years in the fire service, so it's not common, but it does happen. All were caused by leaving the blanket on and under other blankets, folded on the bed, or rolled into a ball with the other covers at the foot of the bed. A heated mattress pad should be thermostatically controlled to protect from fire.

[@NorthernKitty]

In addition to safety issues, blankets also tend to have more "hot spots" that can result in skin irritation or even light burns on the skin if you lay directly on them. Definitely use a heated mattress pad and NOT an electric blanket if you plan on laying on top of it.

[@JESUS555]

Thank you

[@securityguardcommand9792]

I replaced our propane furnace with a a diesel heater. Best thing ever!

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

I've heard others do that. thanks for sharing.

[@nmartin5551]

I have a new to me Sprinter based View. I have yet to succeed in turning on my RV propane furnace. There is most definitely a diesel heater in my future!

[@eddiedoherty2349]

Great advice. Here are some additional things I do. Remote thermometer in the wet bay. Helps monitor if furnace heating is working. Second is I put a blanket in the wet bay. To give more insulation and put a shop light 60 w bulb to provide additional heating. Past week in WV had some morning lows around 25F, bay never went below 38F.

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

thanks for the tips

[@BoysBarn]

Good tips. I bought a 12v electric blanket w/3 heat settings on Amazon. I installed a 12v outlet (cigarette lighter female) beside my bed for whenever we lose power. Works great! (Westinghouse is the brand)

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

cool. thanks for sharing.

[@shawnbeerens4292]

My brother I stalled a little diesel heater in his 5th wheel and it works great!

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

awesome.

[@BushcraftQuebec]

I just learned thatbi cannuse 2 1500w heaters on different circut in my RV Now i want to install the marine mil spec 400w or 600 w heater to the underbelly . Its pretty solid . Looking for the best place

[@coachsean9982]

The best way to keep from freezing is to grow a beard like Todd's.

[@caddy2long]

We have a heated matress pad. Works well.

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

awesome.

[@alaskahermithomesteader9549]

I run a cheap heat system on my mh. Uses the furnace fan and blower but run off generator or shore power. It is 100% efficient also reflectix on my windows. Keeps my 32'my up to 72° at -10. It uses no propane.

[@williamarmstrong9970]

They also make heated mattress pads that go under the sheets.

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Thats true. thanks for the tip.

[@tbcarleton]

Heat doesn't rise, it radiates and conducts. Cold air displaces hot air, creating convection, but that requires air gaps and a source of cold air. A heated blanket between you and an unheated basement storage compartment will be warmer because heat goes to cold, but it doesn’t rise.

[@robertosgood961]

I just snuggle up closer to my sweetheart for warmth. She hasn't caught on in 34 yrs. that I turn the thermostat down... just sayin' Thanks for the wattage lesson on breakers and outlets.

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Thanks for sharing.

[@johnbell4976]

Great Video. I agree totally. I wanted to ask a question. If you are in a place that has power, and you run out of propane, can you heat your RV with the fireplace and space heaters and just run the furnace on "Fan Only" to circulate the heat through the ductwork? You would obviously turn on your tank heaters. Just a "In emergency" idea. I completely trust your advice. I haven't heard you talk about this. Of course I could have just missed it. Thank you for your videos. I have learned a lot. I have the RV owners software and have learned a lot from it as well. I have not finished it yet.

[@dustinworrick9173]

I'm fairly certain you can do that without having an issue, unless your furnace has a shutoff when not heating to preserve electricity. Either way you won't be damaging anything to give it a shot.🤷

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

The furnace doesn't really have a fan only mode. The blower fan only works when you call for heat. But the electric fireplace and space heaters are great options.

[@nrob450]

I solved this by turning off the access to the full propane tank and leaving the one the lever was turned toward empty. Then when I turn on the furnace, only the fan will operate without feeding it any propane. This draws down the space heater heat to the underbelly to keep it from freezing without burning through propane. 🤔

[@schlz69]

what a lot of people miss, is their low point drains, insulate them, the hot will always freeze first, and the low pionts are jut hanging there in the cold air totally unprotected.

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

that's a great reminder.

[@theroadoffaith7855]

What about small space heaters in the bay to maintain warm air on your pipes. I found a small personal space heater for shop that plugs direct to outlet. Can set temp range and timer. Figure if can keep bay above freezing I can save propane since the furnace sucks it up fast

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

That's a great idea. Make sure that you have a heater that has a safety shut off switch if it gets bumped and one that has a temp setting so it'll turn off when not needed.

[@space_lab]

This guy is definitely a tim and eric fan. please confirm.

[@dkleath8697]

Sadly, I think my 5th Wheel water lines have already failed ( leaking)...purchased it used/as is from private owner this summer who said, "everything works" (knowing I'd have no recourse if that wasn't entirely true). I'm unable to skirt it myself, to protect/ warm underneath it & my propane supply is limited. The Black & Grey tanks are 2/3 full according to the "monitor". I'm praying that 2 hrs at 32°F will not cause more damage, but I'm not feeling optimistic...

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures will affect things more.

[@Elisa-pu5py]

Hello..just bought a new Bushwacker..on the first camping trip I attempted to use the heater The new heater smell triggered the smoke detector and now I’m scared to use it lol I’d like go camping again..the nights are cold so I need a heater for the night Please advise Thanks

[@jnickal21]

I purchased a small space heater and it keep blowing my 15amp breaker if I have anything else plugged in. Can I switch out the 15 amp with a 20 amp?

[@foxbraap6373]

Have you done a beard care how-to Lol, I'm in need of it.

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

That would be a great tip.

[@Justthe2ofUs843]

The best way to keep from freezing in the winter is to head south to Arizona. 😅

[@iair-conditiontheoutsideai3076]

Electric heat is the most expensive and worst way of heating. I use a portable heat pump to heat the RV. I cut a hole in the floor and ran the hoses outside. Its around 12k btu vs a 5k but space heater

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

So you cut a hole in your floor.

[@iair-conditiontheoutsideai3076]

@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy yes not to mention in the summer it gives me a bonus AC. The floor is OSB I did it in a cabinet so I could fix it. When I sell my RV some day and it wouldn't be visible. It's the cheapest cleanest easiest way to heat

[@Modfrkt_75]

We don’t fill our tanks but we use a heated hose.

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

that is a great option as well.

[@TP-vu3tc]

Todd. Would be great be able to run the propane furnace in a "fan only" mode, (no gas) to push the electric generated heat from the cabin down into the underbelly, without burning propane.

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

So heat rises. You wouldn’t get much heat into the belly I would suspect. I’m sure at a certain temp this could be effective. Just not sure how effective.

[@nrob450]

I solved this by turning off the access to the full propane tank and leaving the one the lever was turned toward empty. Then when I turn on the furnace, only the fan will operate without feeding it any propane. This draws down the space heater heat to the underbelly to keep it from freezing without burning through propane. 🤔

[@TP-vu3tc]

​@@nrob450 Could you please explain this better. We are out of propane today. Fan won't go on in the furnace unless it has propane going into it

[@TP-vu3tc]

​@@nrob450 Our propane tanks are empty

[@TP-vu3tc]

​@NationalRVTrainingAcademy What about putting the space heater in front of the furnace intake? That way, warmer in air is going into the furnace, and warmer air coming out. It's like a booster assist for your propane furnace

[@Lolaandcassidyadventures]

I’m a 3 season camper. Our Gertrude is winterized for the winter.:(

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

I've heard Florida is great this time of year.

[@Lolaandcassidyadventures]

I plan on being in Palm Springs next winter.:)

[@dennishumston9270]

Can the fan for the furnace be run some how. I turn on the fan and the fan to the A/C runs .I put in a dedicated 15 am circuit in for my space heater BUT would love to run the furnace fan that goes under the camper . Thank !

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

The safety features of the furnace probably won't like it. you can however see where the ducting is going and see if there is one that goes into the underbelly.

[@robertnasser9937]

We installed a plug that you plug in the cord outside (heavy duty ) on its own plug for a space heater.

[@phile6609]

Hey, we are going to be going thru 36 to 72 hours of sub freezing Temps. They say to turn off water and drain lines. We are living in the rv, temporarily, while house being built. So, as soon as freeze has passed, we will get back into it. What about water heater? Turn off or leave on? Heat will be left on for plants. Any help will greatly be appreciated. Thanks, Phil

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Let's ask Todd.

[@mikeelder6298]

I have a Raychem RV electric deicing system on my RV. What is that?

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

That is a system we aren't familiar with. They do make products for deicing airplanes and industrial systems. It's probably an electrical wrap of some sort that protects parts of your RV.

[@mikeelder6298]

The decal on the side of my camper says, Electric Deicing and snow melting equipment on premises. Any information would be much appreciated. Fyi, my camper is a 2006 Pilgrim by International

[@raymondlanier1112]

I wished I would have known this before I froze to death

[@nathanperry4190]

15a breaker only good for 80%

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

So this is incorrect. Breakers follow rating guidelines. Now the quality of the breaker is what makes it fail or pass rating.

[@nathanperry4190]

@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy so just trying to understand, you’re saying a 15 amp breaker can handle loads up to 15 amps and will trip once the load of a circuit exceeds 15 amps?

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

@@nathanperry4190 for some additional insight here is this cliffordpower.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/IS_37_80-versus-100-rated-ATS.pdf

[@nathanperry4190]

@@NationalRVTrainingAcademy interesting. 👍🏻

[@bugzziee]

Where was this video when my pipes froze

[@NationalRVTrainingAcademy]

Belated Merry Christmas!