😰 NO RV POWER, NO CITY WATER, I'M FREEZING. Now What?

Winter living in and protecting your RV while staying warm in freezing weather can be a lot easier with these tips.
If you have no electricity or water, keeping your RV tanks, hoses & pipes from freezing, using your generator, managing your RV house batteries & surviving is what this video is all about. You need to start thinking like a BOON DOCKER. You have to become self contained. There’s no time to waste.
I’m going to cover some last minute tips on staying warm when a freak cold snap hits like and it’s freezing everywhere like in Texas and the central plains wherever you are camped. Winter living in your RV can be challenging. Many of you have been caught by surprise by this recent record breaking cold snap that has hit much of the country. Having your RV prepared is essential. The first thing is to have your propane tanks topped off. If you have a motorhome be sure you have your fuel tank topped off before you park where you’re going to stay. Being knowledgable about your house batteries and how they work and how long they will last and when you use your propane furnace is important. When your RV is in single digit temps or in the teens, you need to fill your fresh water tank, then remove and store all your outside water gear. That includes water hoses, regulator, filters, water softener and anything else, because if you’re in a camp ground, they are going to turn off all city water when it gets to freezing temps.
I’m also going to share how to keep your house batteries topped off by using your generator. When you are in freezing temps, and have no electricity your generator will be your only source of power. I will go over how to manage your generator and house batteries to get you through this cold event. Also keep your cabinet doors open inside your RV to protect pipes when it really gets cold. While running your propane furnace inside, that heat will get into your cabinets and that’s where a lot of your plumbing is. So keep your RV cabinet doors open.
There can be challenges to staying warm in your RV or Motorhome when it gets really cold & the extra DIY insulating you can do will make a big difference in protecting your RV, your RV water systems & help you stay warm inside. Additional insulation, proper heating & RV protection is key to staying warm. Controlling condensation in cold temperatures is also important. You CAN'T always go south where it’s warm in the winter. Bad, cold weather sometimes just happens when traveling full time.
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IN THIS VIDEO I ALSO REFERRED TO ANOTHER VIDEO I DID A FEW WEEKS AGO BACK ON DECEMBER 6th. THIS IS A MUST SEE VIDEO ON HOW TO INSULATE, HEAT & PROTECT YOUR RV AND STAY TOASTY
• 😰 INSULATE, HEAT & PR...
HOW I INSULATED AND SET UP MY WET BAY RIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING TO HAVE GOOD TASTING, SAFE WATER THROUGH OUT THE RV:
• 💦 SET UP YOUR RV WATER...
HOW TO SET UP YOUR WET BAY AND WATER RIGHT AND BE DONE WITH IT
• 💦 SET UP YOUR RV WATER...
MORE VIDEOS I KNOW WILL HELP YOU ON TAKING CARE OF YOUR RV:
RV Motorhome Upgrades, Maintenance and DIY How-To's
• RV Upgrades, Maintenan...
DISCLAIMER:
We are not experts or professional mechanics. But being a journeyman millwright & being EX Military, has proven to be very helpful in my lifetime learning how to care for & maintain all sorts of machinery & equipment like: helicopters, airplanes, tanks, motorcycles & many types of other vehicles, along with 18 months preparing & upgrading our RV before we went full time. Regardless of what we recommend, consult a professional if you're unsure about working on your RV. Work you perform or products you purchase based on any information we provide is at your own risk.

[@MrDerick79]

I am in Aberlta.Canada ....we live full time in our 5th wheel.... the cold snap lasted 2 weeks here... it went down to -30 F at nights... I have an insulated skirt on my 5th wheel and it never went below 15 F inside the skirt... a homeless could have spent the whole 2 weeks there and been comfy.....:) :)....water never froze in lines and black/grey tanks... im really impressed how they build RV these days.... it was comfy in the camper.. around 72 day time .. 68 night time... :)

[@RVstreet]

WOW, -30 F at nights. Good job getting prepared Mr. Derick. 👍

[@MrDerick79]

@@RVstreet like you said... you need to prepare the camper before the cold shows up... .. it worked out really good for us.... I was just really nervous that the furnace would quit.... the cycle was 10 mins ON ... 3 Mins OFF... I thought that furnace would stop running at anytime.... we burned a lot of propane...:(

[@hbbadventures7689]

Martin, you would be doing yourself and the RV community a huge service by doing training seminars at the Texas RV shows around the state. Seriously, you should consider contacting the event coordinators for those shows and get involved. Your ability to verbally communicate, the level of detail you cover for each topic and the way you structure the video to cover the topic at a very understandable level makes you a natural for training our community. I hope you look into this. Best of luck and keep the videos coming......Howard

[@RVstreet]

WOW. I don't even know how to respond to that. I had to pause and gather my emotions as I read your comment. But here are my first-off the cuff-thoughts on that. I'm thinking out loud here so bare with me. If I connect them first, their going to think I'm trying to sell myself to participate in THEIR event to become bigger or I'm trying to self promote or something like that. You know how people are. "Oh he's just trying to promote himself". So I'm thinking that would be a bad idea for me to contact them. And of course there would be so much more to all that too. BUT....I'm very humbled by your words and we'll just see what the future holds. I luv what I'm doing now. I'm not trying to build an empire but just trying to help folks with what I know. I appreciate your comment soooooooo........much my friend. You just lifted my spirit. Thank you Howard. 🇺🇸🙏

[@hbbadventures7689]

@@RVstreet Maybe you could approach as "an offer to help out" by filling in time slots that are open. Offer a battery of coach/trailer maintenance topics that would cover an hour session, or maybe 2 one-hour sessions. I don't know the best way to get started, but I you shouldn't wait for someone to call you. Use your talent, and help us all. Good luck, Buddy!!!

[@RVstreet]

@@hbbadventures7689 👍

[@marshaadams5501]

I totally agree! Have Joanie look up the people that coordinate the Vendors and speakers for the Texas shows and I’ll call them up or send them an email and let them know they need you there!

[@martapareta1939]

@@hbbadventures7689 Do it yourself! Tell them you know about someone that could be a great "asset" ! Make them invite him! I live in Argentina and don't even have an RV....but I know this is "the"way....Loves!

[@ladywolverine1828]

WOW I just found you, thank for being real. Finally someone that has good old fashion common sense.

[@dustinb1275]

I just wanted to point this out. If you have two 115 ah 6v batteries running in series it will become one 12v battery at 115 ah. The voltage doubles but the Amp hours stay the same. So two 6v batteries at 115ah still only has 115ah with 57.5 being usable.

[@RVstreet]

That's correct and that's what I put in my diagram graphic. In my made up senario you only have 115amp hrs. available and you don't want to use more that 50% of that. Maybe I should of explained that a little different but my diagram does show that. Thanks Dustin for engaging with your comment and watching. I really do appreciate it. 👍 EDIT: Hey Dustin, I just wanted to come back and say again thank you for point this out. I went back and listened to that part again and the graphic is right but I did say it wrong I admit. Can't believe I missed that. Sometimes that just happens in making videos and I didn't catch that in my edits. But I just went back into my YT tools and cut that small piece of audio out. (It will probably take a couple of hours for YT to make those changes.) Graphic is right buy I said it wrong. So your right, I did say it wrong-my bad. I'm glad you pointed this out to me so I could catch it early. I'm here to help the RV community and not confuse them. I've also posted a comment so it will be at the top of all comments just make sure everybody is clear on this. thx again. 👍

[@miaso130]

Not trying to nitpick here, but the diagram at 13:53 is incorrect too, stating you’d have 230 Ah by combining two 6v batteries. Still enjoyed the video, I think it is useful for many RVers. Thanks!

[@bobelder6794]

You are awesome for watching out for others. 👍

[@craigandlisao9736]

We’re down the road in Mercedes No power since Monday morning at 4am. We went without water for a few days also. Been doing ok in our fifth wheel with our generator. Thank god !!! Be safe be well guys 🤩🙌💗🌸😘

[@RVstreet]

Ah Mercedes. know it well. Good job stretching out supplies.

[@vickishort9128]

If slides are out it’s much easier to get snow or ice off if you put a blue tarp on before it snows then you can pull the whole tarp off before pulling sides in.

[@RVstreet]

Oh there you go. That's a good idea.

[@hannahshepherd9073]

Avalanche! Make sure u duck

[@greensteelusallc7862]

Get many propane tanks, generators, top all gas up. Trucks, cars, diesel gas. All water must be coll4 in water bottles, juice containers. Store all over your rig. Thick heavy blankets on windows, doors, get thick rugs for your floors. Make sure you dump all tanks prior to storms so you be ok for 1 week or so. Heat lamps, .good luck

[@gregorybouie1211]

I am a newbie. I hav a 40ft desiel pusher. I thankyou because I've learned so much. I did the insulation throughout the coach thankyou so much

[@RVstreet]

There ya go. Good job. 😜 Have you watched this PLAYLIST ? If not, these tips will also be really really helpful. kzbin.info/aero/PLkQXtMp9xodR-PDUkTg936iZAeMuOqwnj

[@samuelbruce6289]

Champion of humanity

[@RVstreet]

OMG...one of the greatest and funniest comments ever. Can I say I Luv U Sam? 🙏 😝

[@richiela2488]

I'm in Ft Worth. Full fresh tank, but it's frozen, and black tank is frozen and full. Lol. It sucks, but learning from this. Definitely investing in tank heating pads before next winter.

[@RVstreet]

Make sure you investigate the amps those pads will pull from your batteries when you have no electricity. No if you have a large batt bay, you might just be fine. 👍 EDIT: Oh boy, when those defrost I sure hope it didn't crack the tank.

[@darthbubba866]

Great video! I might add: turn off your social media and turn on the local weather channels to see what's coming. And read those generator and furnace manuals, too.

[@mikoserbousek4987]

Solid advice. All around. Not an RV/Coach here, but rather a skoolie/bus conversion. Also a family member has a 5th wheel trailer. We went through freezing weather in KY during this last cold snap- freezing rain, snow, and we lost power for 5 days. Until that point, electric was our only heat option for the bus- no propane furnace, no generator. Big solar, but our batteries were lacking for continued supply of heat. Fortunately I had installed a wood stove, which allowed us to hold off the worst of it while we tried to fight our way through our new freezing issues: Frozen grey and black systems. Shower and sink backed up from frozen drain plumbing. Toilet was better designed as to not backup before filling (straight shot down), however it begin to fill up with no way to drain- we started using the restroom elsewhere during the day to preserve our ability to use it during the night. The first night we lost power (and heat), I ordered a pair of diesel heaters. We scrambled to try and find propane for the 5th wheel, which had to refill every 3 days. Around us, most refill stations were emptied several times, the station only refiled once or twice a week. During one of our outings for propane, we got word of a shipment of generators coming in at a local Tractor Supply. Called, got on a list. We seriously lucked out getting that genny. Of the 5 day power outage, we suffered only two. Note that all propane accessories, and generator accessories were also sold out- I was lucky to have many items including generator hookup adapters on hand, so I got both the bus and the 5th wheel hooked up to the genny. The day before, the 5th wheel batteries had died running the propane furnace- I ran another vehicle that had a big solar bank and inverter to charge the 5th wheel's batteries back up. Diesel heaters arrived, I installed one. Will install the other soon. Gave us very warm heat with low fuel usage- freezing weather, around 2 gallons of diesel for a 24 hour period. This may be more than normal as I later found the fuel filter had cracked from freezing. I would recommend anyone with an RV/bus/trailer to consider getting one of these- diesel infrastructure is not under pressure like propane, it diversifies your heat strategy so that if all else fails you still have a shot, and diesel for refilling is more readily available than propane refills. By day three we recovered completely, as we had power and were also able to install heating pads on the black tank and thaw it out to drain. With both black and grey tanks completely empty, and fresh completely full (dry camping is our default, we're never hooked up permanently), wave two of the winter weather was much, much easier on us all. Once weather really peaks up I'm going to slightly redesign and then enclose all of our exposed plumbing so that it will never freeze solid again, even without heat of any kind. We'll have a bigger battery bank with a lot more solar (6000W of panels) to support systems to thaw stuff if needed, and take steps all around to permanently make stronger our ability to dry camp in the snow. Ah, pro-tip: Those lamps you used- you don't need incandescent bulbs. Go to a local feed store, they should have these non-light-emitting heat bulbs for those kinds of lamps that are used to raise chicks. They are not as fragile and will not burn out as easily. Also, the feed store should have a special outlet you can plug them into to turn on between 45 and 55 degrees, saving energy from them being on 24/7. You have some awesome advice, coming from the perspecive of someone who basically built their RV (bus conversion) from scratch. Closing the slides to reduce the amount of area to heat is one I wouldn't have thought of (no slides in our rig).

[@RVstreet]

Nice detailed report and great idea about the heat bulbs for chicks. Did you happen to watch my other video I released on Dec. 6th on how folks can be prepared for winter? If not you can watch it here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6K9m3hqlqqim80

[@joesantucci317]

My coach will definitely be Martinized, as soon as I can get it all done. Another great video. Thank you. Joe

[@vickishort9128]

You can also charge battery if you have a dc/dc charger attached to your starter battery and run your engine.

[@robertwirth582]

I thought I knew everything.... thanks for the wake up call!

[@jerrykubitsky8124]

Hi Martin. We are in Georgetown Tx Feb 2021 and worse weather ever. Love the idea about the front grill plastic. I will do that. Couple of ideas. We took pool noodles and sliced one side. We then wrapped them around the gear rails for the sides and that is helping to keep snow and ice off them. We also got some installation foam board R3 and cut them to fit our Vista 27n. Last, we cut a piece of plywood to fit over the front door steps. Underneath the wood we cut another piece of foam board that then seals the steps and made a big difference on temps. Was 36 and now 52 degrees.

[@RVstreet]

Thanks Jerry. Good ideas. I'd like to invite you to watch this video I released Dec. 6th. It's right along those lines and very detailed of what I've done. I think you'll really like it and can relate. I actually mentioned this other video twice in this video. Here's the link if you're interested. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6K9m3hqlqqim80 thx for watching and taking time to share comments and ideas. 👍

[@carlgshock]

I sent my nephew a link to your KZbin channel. He bought a new camper.

[@RVstreet]

Thank you. I sure hope he watches and implements the things we show. He'll be miles ahead of others who are just starting out.

[@carlgshock]

I just checked out your Amazon store, It's very nice I will be using it when I get a camper. I had one in 1993 through 1998. I'm ready to get another one but I won't be full timing. Thank you for all the great information.

[@RVstreet]

@@carlgshock Well, thank you sir for coming back and supporting our channel. You just don't know how much Joanie & I appreciate your support. If you ever have a particular question, you can always contact me on our FB page from our YT home page and if I can help you I will. 👍

[@leglier59]

Thank you for these tips! My husband works for a Cell Site Tower company and that entails him being out in this type of weather. He takes a small spray bottle with alcohol with him to spray on/in frozen locks such as car/truck doors, building doors, padlocks, etc. I would imagine it would work well to spray around the door like you described. Thanks again!

[@mikerack9162]

Also add electric blanket it what I use

[@RVstreet]

Yep that too. I put that in our Amazon store weeks ago when I did that other video on Dec. 6th. Good advice Mike. thx 😜

[@starrynight2600]

Jar candles bring a lot of heat in small spaces. I’m a candle lover and use jar candles a lot. Even one jar candle in a shut up bedroom warms it up. They are safer and then regular candles. A large jar will burn up to 80- 112 hrs. You can get unscented ones if you don’t like fragrance. Make sure they are candles that are lead free wicks.

[@myuboat45]

Bring Canadian and using a truck camper rig and used to negative temps much lower. it is always best to be prepared ..Extra propane heated water hose to access water but I find it always easier to winterize for a couple of months and buy Bottled water in gallons .Extra hard foam insulation under the mattress thick quilts ,bubble wrap .vent covers .Bay heater or lamps like you said. .Wear. warmer clothes. .Buy an insta pot for cooking faster less electric time. cover your windshield cover your windows . get a buddy heater. .I camp up to - 35F .or travelling. .Plan ahead . identify Verify Rectify. .I also have a generator and like you said an auto transfer switch. .. Do not forget a battery charger. I also use two 6 volt golf batteries tuning parallel. .plus two batteries in the diesel truck. . they are able to charge . The house batteries too one way. . Do not forget packets of dehumidifier .Dollar store got them . All you are saying on this video is dead on.. .Good luck American cousins. .You are going to get more of this type of weather. Grand solar minimum .

[@RVstreet]

Identify Verify Rectify.... MyUBoat, I just love that. Can I steal that saying? 😝

[@myuboat45]

@@RVstreet you betcha works every time. .Learned that years ago from a wise man in the oil patch blow out company in the early 80,s . .Been using it since. .Works everytime.

[@mrrey8937]

Fantastic information, thank you very much for your humble and honorable intentions in delivering this information to help others, it shows. Thanks for sharing.

[@barbaraamoroso2228]

First time watching your videos . Learned more in your video than I have in a dozen of others. Thank you for your patience and easy , paced, clear explanation. Very good teacher.

[@RVstreet]

Thank you Barbara so much. 👁👄👁

[@latergator3367]

Thanks for your pointers ! You saved us.

[@michellebarlondsmith6243]

love it ... my dad used the lamps and I bought some for my rig ... love that tip ... and the rubbing alcohol

[@robertnasser9937]

Thanks, insulated all pvc water pipes and heated basement. Hard wired voltage regulator ( good one ) will post type if you wish.

[@elaineg4921]

Great tips thanks so much. Blessed travel's

[@rogerstillwater6800]

Sayin hi from snow covered New Jersey. 10 more inches of snow coming tonight 2-17 in to tomorrow afternoon. .. Utility lights are vital for warming. We run 3 Group 31 Relion 100 AH 12V Lithiums which do not operate well in the cold.. Utility lamps are vital in that battery bay too. Great vid as usual ...

[@RVstreet]

Looks like Texas is sending you guys some serious weather soon. 😰

[@rogerstillwater6800]

@@RVstreet 7 inches on the ground and it's still snowing at 9:30am. Powder snow but deep powder where the backpack leaf blower just isn't doing the job. Wouldn't mind being in Quartzsite right about now.

[@waynec3121]

I was just thinking about you and Joanie to see how cold it was down in RGV,glad your doing well

[@clint3856]

My travel trailer doesn't come until June. So I had a minimalist boondocking 'opportunity' to live in my truck for 3 days. Amazing what you learn.

[@lindajimmerson8542]

We only have camping trailer but sure appreciate your awesome tips and easy ways you explain things! Thank you for your efforts.

[@larrymiller8210]

Good advice! Iam a seasoned rver, still learned some useful things. Thanks Larry Miller San Diego Ca and warm!

[@RVstreet]

Thank You Larry. My fellow RV bud. 🙏

[@JonW6614]

Pilar has dedicated herself to making our coach fully Martinized! We’ve still got aways to go but eventually it will happen. You guys are the best!!!

[@RVstreet]

Thanks you two so much. We miss you guys. 💗

[@drbrown2402]

Good info.. moving up to the mountains with a toy hauler to live in on raw 20 acres.. this helped 👍

[@RVstreet]

Well thank you Dr. Brown. Living on 20 acres sounds very kewl. 👍

[@benryan9466]

I did and Thank you, there is no excuse for not preparing for the worst. Traveling should not be just moving place to place like a pinball, with either no thought (or it’s not going to happen to me) for the what if happens. Preparedness and practice is the only way that potentially could save your life or keep from having unnecessary catastrophic damage to your coach (home). Don’t be that guy that’s standing there saying “ I wish I had “ . Thank you for your dedication in helping all of us travel safely. 👍👍👍😉🇺🇸🍻

[@jencin7630]

after you drain your grey/black tanks - close the drain - dont leave them open - in very cold weather they wont close and you make break the handles off

[@danphillips6606]

Again I learned something new thank you Rv street

[@sunlite9759]

Good advice from an experienced RV'er.

[@robertroth287]

Well done and very timely. Thanks for doing this and helping others, Martin.

[@martharitaville3074]

We are definitely Martinized! One of the biggest things we’ve done to fight the cold is the stairwell cover. Thanks guys for continuing to educate our RV community

[@RVstreet]

Hey you two. Always love it when you chime in. But ya, that stairwell cover is a major insulator isn't it? 👍

[@marlenepineda1079]

You are proactive and always give very good advice.

[@williamsneedjr4129]

Thanks for this information

[@mikechamberlain9490]

Martin/Joanie glad to see your doing ok. Love the Martinized....stay safe

[@lesliehunter1823]

I don't even have an RV but I love to listen to this guy talk cause he's so logical. I can also apply the info to my purposes.

[@RVstreet]

Thank you so much 👍

[@NanaNana-fx6mi]

Bless your ❤ for helping ppl in this time of need. It was -14 last night here in northern lower michigan. I feel so bad for all those in southern states who don't deal with this cold weather normally. Keep warm and stay healthy ❤

[@bvj9873]

Thanks Rv street for all the info ...and thank you for your service sir...

[@RVstreet]

Thank you sir for that and for watching. 🇺🇸 🙏

[@jeffjones578]

Take Care you Two, I grew up in Nebraska , that type a cold is no Fun!

[@RVstreet]

Since a couple of you have commented about the way I described amp hrs. in my made up battery scenario, I just want to be clear. I don’t want to mislead or pass along any misinformation. So just to clarify, as I showed in my battery diagram: When you take 2 - 6 volt golf cart batteries, that are rated at 115amp hrs. each and then you wire them together in series, you will have one big 12volt battery that will deliver 115amp hrs. Not 230 amp hrs. Two batteries does NOT double your amp hrs. You’ll only have 115amp hrs. available to use, and you don't want to use more than 50% of that as I clearly stated in my diagram. If you'd like to see more videos on How To Prepare Your RV for Winter Living and Storms that pop up unexpectantly, along with Tips, Tricks and Lessons, checkout this PLAYLIST: kzbin.info/aero/PLkQXtMp9xodQb69XYw3hftNJ_lu7JN53c

[@JohnDoe-lw3qn]

Two batteries CAN double your amp hours if paralleled. Of course in this scenario, you would not want to parallel two 6V batteries because your RV is a 12V system. If, for example, you had 2 12V 115 amp hour batteries wired in parallel these two batteries would double your amps hours and provide you with 230Ah.

[@terrybreen3331]

At 13:50 it says 115 amps, but really it's only about 60 usable?

[@RVstreet]

​@@terrybreen3331 In my battery senario you have 2 - 6volt batteries that are rated at 115amp hrs. each but wired in series not Parallel. With this config. you'll have 115amp hrs. available and you don't want to run them lower than 50%. If you want read my clarification comment at the top of the comments section. But ya, a little less than 60 is usable. Thx Terry for watching. 👍

[@jamesleaty7308]

I worked at Pepsi for 24yrs, delivery power jacks, Then 4yrs at aGolf course. Dream job. I have had rv's and boats . most of my life Currently 30 ft dutchman. The 6v Golf cart batteries, We had 54 golf carts. We plug them in at night, Run all day 18hole up to 36. They are designed to run the batteries to 0. Plug them in at night. this was a busy golf course. The carts would cycle every day365 days for a 3 year lease. Yamaha. I was there for the whole time. never had any battery issue. every now and again somebody wouldnt plug one in. It would crap out, doesnt hurt them. The lead acid deep cycle are the same. We used them in our power jacks. They are designed to discharge 100 % every use. I have been using the Walmart ones for 15 year. I abuse the hell out of them. I have a 5 year old one in my dutchman right now. I run til the lights die. BUT, I notice that when new we would get a full 12 hr day of use, 3to 4 yrs, they start pokin at 8 to 10 hr. My dutchman, New all day maybe a couple not plugged in. Now couple of hours un plugged. It still satisfies the charging loop in the rv. 13+volts , so generator if needed or driving. I am going to be doing some running around I am going to grab a couple of new ones. What he is talking about is correct with inverters, You need to have strong batteries , Whatever the minimum voltage. You wont hurt lead acid deep cycle by discharging the m completely, The agm Hold more juice, they can be mounted in ant direction, I havnt seen them last any longer. They dont leak and you can mount them anywhere. The Lithium Ion is as good as they say they are. !0 year life Really clean voltage, I know that cell phones ideal when new. Charge to 90%, use down to 20%. Their actual is more than the listed . They can keep the optimal battery like for few years. I think the 50% on battleborne etc is correct, they the full power within the use range. They are really good. Significant smaller and lighter that traditional, you can mount them in any cool ventilated place.

[@jamesleaty7308]

If you run the Stuff in you rv furnace lites etc, They will be operating perfectly Down to about 50% battery. After that the furnace, will quit. That is kinda the spot, fans and lites next, You can run the deep cycle 6 or 12 v till the last light dies. plug in charge them back up. The batteries actually stay cleaner. You'll notice Things starting to slow down. Kinda get an idea for your rig. If your furnace runs for 1 day with a fresh battery unplugged, Then you will need 2 batteries to go 2 days, If it will go all weekend on 1 . You need 2 for a week. 80-100 ah battery. It hard to put how long for each battery. The furnace draws the most, and is most needed, however long it runs is a good test. You can run everthing else, the furnace has a voltage cutoff. its ok.

[@professionalinspectionserv9468]

Thank you for all you do.

[@NackDSP]

Great topic. My furnace, 30,000 BTU input, draws 7.5 Amps when running continuously. At 20 F outside, it may run continuously. At higher outside temps like 40 F, it may only run half of the time, so half the amp hour draw. If your lead acid batteries are not in a heated space, the amount you can draw from them drops from 50% down to 35% or 40%. Batteries accept charge rapidly at first and then slow down. So charging 50% to 80% might only require one hour of generator , while 70% to 100% could take 2-3 hours. Of course LiFePO4 batteries will save more fuel, as they are more efficient than lead acid.

[@leeannglazier8349]

Thank you so much for the great advice Martin. I always save your videos. I am starting the full time RV life in April and I don't know anything. I'll be a newbie with my used 2000 Four Winds Chateau, class C

[@RVstreet]

Glad to have you along for the ride Lee. 👍

[@edwardmiller6883]

Many years ago, I bought a fire hydrant wrench. I can open any fire hydrant, but would do that only in an emergency. Enough water for baths for many years.

[@danphillips6606]

I can't begin to tell you how much I have learned watching your channel.

[@lindacondray7918]

USE HAND/BACK WARMERS FOR HEAT: Another hack thought for heating your outer bays. ... If you loose electricity those heating lamps would draw ALOT of battery power or not be working. Buy the hunting hand warmers or the adhesive heating pads for your back and wrap those around pipes or place in areas. Then put something to insulate those. Your heating method would then not be dependent on some outside source. I’ve found the pads often generate heat for 8-12 hours. This might decrease when used in an outer bay with much more frigid exposure but just replace them as needed. They may not keep the area at 51° but would hopefully prevent freezing through. I also suggested to my daughter having those heat pads as emergency heat in her car. Place it inside clothes by your heart or neck to generate independent heat to warm your circulation and body.

[@RVstreet]

Ya I don't run those lamps unless I'm running the generator. But with the additional insulation I've done in there I have no problem with freezing. I'm hoping others will do the same. But that hand warmer hack is a good one. I’ve found the pads often generate heat for 8-12 hours.......can you send me a link to these pls? I'd like to try them. Are they battery powered, chemically powered or what?

[@lindacondray7918]

@@RVstreet I just buy them at CVS or Walmart, etc. Sold where the pain relievers are for muscle aches. Chemical powered I guess. They’re air activated and then a heat reaction occurs with whatever is inside them. Many of the hunting places also sell the hand warmers but I’m not sure how long those last. I was just watching your video and it made me think of them. The advantage is they’re a self generating heat and last a long while. Glad you weathered that mess well. I have lots of family down there (all parts of Texas). Most weathered well, all doing ok. Thoughts and well wishes for all down that way. BE WELL and BE SAFE! 🖖

[@americanrascal53]

So appropriate and timely!!!

[@angelalara6116]

I love you guys, I have learned so much thank you for providing this information

[@kingtut5923]

Well Martin don't over think , call them and see what happens. I love how you tell your story. Iv'e done all you said .

[@Maidendg]

Such great tips and detailed information, thank you for sharing. I learned a thing or 2 (okay, much more than 2) with your videos. Love your content.

[@karolsmith7593]

Great way to help your neighbors!

[@Bladonna25]

I just started subscribing to your channel . I didn’t see the video on how to prepare and I did everything wrong to prepare for this. Who knows how much money this is all going to cost me when it’s over. Ugh!

[@RVstreet]

Don't get discouraged Deborah. It's easy to get overwhelmed. Start to make a list of what you need to do and and tackle them just one at a time. 🙏 💕 EDIT: And thank you for subbing. 👍

[@Bladonna25]

@@RVstreet yes I’m trying to stay positive but it’s hard being alone and not mechanically inclined. I am in a park that the neighbors are all pitching together to help one another out. Can’t wait to take a shower! I did have water but had to shut it off because the water line to my refrigerator burst and was spewing water all over and my grey tanks can’t empty (they are open) but it’s frozen solid on the outside where they meet to empty.

[@RVstreet]

@@Bladonna25 Well helpfully when you get ready to tackle something either our channel or someone else channel will have a good video to show you how to do these things. You can do this AND maybe with a little help from some of your neighborly friends.

[@Bladonna25]

@@RVstreet thank you. After this debacle in Texas is over I hope to go through your videos to help me.

[@MrDJVINSANITY]

We will be Rving this Summer. Aloha from Hawaii and Mahalo for the Great advice. I learned alot from this. Stay warm and Stay Safe.

[@michaelorourke5468]

Hey Martin, an awesome and timely video, hope everyone stays warm and safe! You might want to check your temperature sensors in the wet bays, looks like they are not communicating with the monitor panel....

[@RVstreet]

I had taken them out of the bays at the time and was replacing the batteries. 😝

[@richardberger326]

Your the best RV Street 👍

[@barneymerrill3188]

Another thing to do on the steps is to retract them, that way they won't get wet or have snow on them to freeze....worked well for us!🤠👍

[@RVstreet]

I was going to mention that could be a possibility, but I've seen some retractable stairs get frozen when retracted when it rains & then temps dive downwards. Just like our friends door the other morning. So I decided to not recommend or mention that. A lot of our audience viewers are 55> old and retired with many of them have health issues. They need those steps out and especially in an emergency. But seriously, thank you for your comment/watching and I'm glad you have something that works for you. 🔧 🙏

[@barneymerrill3188]

@@RVstreet Yep, we're in that group also...no fun when the steps don't come down!😭 You know that LCI has a Recall on their steps...the turnbuckle fails and if you are stepping up to go in, it will swing up, capture your foot and if you're not holding on to the hand rail you're on your back seeing stars and possibly broken bones. That happened to me but I was using the handrails and didn't fail...foot was pinched real good and bruised my right arm/shoulder. Could of been real bad as we had just checked in to the campground and were on our way to the camp site! Needless to say...we always use the handrails prior to that and especially since then! Keep up your good work...love your videos!!!🤠👍

[@marshaadams5501]

Is this recall on all steps or just certain years?

[@barneymerrill3188]

@@marshaadams5501 I found out about it while I was looking for the replacement part that I needed. There was a year range...our Class A is a 2010 model. You'll have to get under the stairs to see the model number, serial number and I think the manufacture date. With that you can see if your stairs are part of the recall.

[@michaelcanto6175]

Great Video, Like we've always heard, Failing to Plan, is Planning to Fail!

[@marshaadams5501]

Once again, I’m coming in late because I’ve been busy as you know! I told Sir Lloyd Benson about a week ago that if our weather in Missouri didn’t clear up that I might leave Vegas and head to RGV to have a look around and wait out the weather! Wouldn’t that have been a silly move! I’m definitely not prepared for cold weather so that’s why I’m staying out West! George will be winterized again when I get home! Great video as usual and I love your cover! You got that baby right in time!!! Miss you guys!

[@Henle15]

Thank you for the content. I have been following you for awhile and love all the info and it's some of the best out there.

[@RVstreet]

Thanks so much GP.

[@toolman.dustin]

Great video. I Was in Brownsville TX when this winter storm hit. Everything you said is right on. The one thing you didn't mention is: As your batteries drain down the freezing temperature of batteries goes up. So at 50% discharge the batteries will freeze at around 26 degrees F. If they freeze, the batteries may be destroyed as the lead cells are forced apart by the freezing/expanding water. In my case, both batteries were ruined and would not recharge. If your batteries are exposed on the front of your trailer, they will likely freeze. Fully charged batteries are good to about -30 degrees F. I didn't take a generator with me, I called ahead and was told it doesn't freeze that far south. Never travel without your generator. In retrospect, I should have connected my truck to the trailer I could have run the truck engine and been able to at least run the propane heater motor in the trailer after the batteries died via the truck/trailer umbilical cable. but I didn't think of that at the time. It got very cold in the coach. The only heat I had was using the propane kitchen stove and condensation became a real issue. Also, with the entire city power out it wasn't possible to get a propane tank filled because propane filling facilities requires electricity . Gas stations couldn't pump gas. Grocery stores didn't have power to run cash registers. Even after the power came back on it tool almost 10 days for trucks to bring food to grocery stores. Grocery stores were out of food for almost two weeks even after the power came back on because everything sold out in the first two days and no trucks were bringing in new food. Great video

[@RVstreet]

Thanks Dustin, As an emergency solution to the freezing lead acid battery issue there are two easy solutions: 1) I carry 2 special hot water bottles, fill them with hot water and lay them on top of the batteries. In my Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/rvstreet 2) Take one of my small utility lamps like I use in my wet bay, a incandescent bulb and clamp it above the batteries. Also in my store. I have two generators. My large onboard one-which we used last winter-and now my small 15amp Honda 2200i which would of been perfect for last winters storm and use a lot less fuel.

[@NaturalHotTubCleaner]

Hey I really liked the light in the bay option! I was thinking about putting a water bed heater on the water tank and now I could use the light on the black. But we’re in Arizona and the low is only mid 40’s and 70 in the afternoon, so it’s not that big of a deal yet! Great tips , keep them coming!

[@lindacondray7918]

USE HAND/BACK WARMERS FOR HEAT: (repeating this from my previous comment as in topic reply...) Another hack thought for heating your outer bays. If you loose electricity those heating lamps would draw ALOT of battery power or not be working. Buy the hunting hand warmers or the adhesive heating pads for your back and wrap those around pipes or place in areas. Then put something to insulate those. Your heating method would then not be dependent on some outside source. I’ve found the pads often generate heat for 8-12 hours. This might decrease when used in an outer bay with much more frigid exposure but just replace them as needed. They may not keep the area at 51° but would hopefully prevent freezing through.

[@lesliehunter1823]

We use a Camco wave 3 yo keep the batteries warm in an emergency. It has a 1600 btu setting that sips propane. 20 lb tank lasts 10 days on 24/7.

[@moniquelee2904]

We are in Lubbock, TX and our water lines are frozen somewhere under the 5th wheel. We have disconnected our lines and used electric heaters, blow dryers, heat gun, heat lamps, and still there is a line frozen. Yikes!!!

[@RVstreet]

😰

[@davide8629]

Thanks again for all you do. P.M. is what it’s all about.

[@RVstreet]

Yep. 👍

[@timhill2849]

Thanks dude. Another great video. It is cold here in TN. snow and ice. I have mine ready for a survival plan. Just in case we lose power in the house. Stay safe.

[@RVstreet]

I have mine ready for a survival plan...... There ya go. That's what it takes. Good job. 🔧👍

[@kathyfann]

I truly watch the weather a few times a day and drive out of trouble before I am stuck

[@RVstreet]

That's smart thing to do Kathy. I do the same thing. If bad weather is on the horizon I either leave early or stay put till it passes. 👍

[@Monica-yh5bm]

Awesome video!! We are glad we found your channel!! We will be happy to use your Amazon page to shop!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge:)

[@RVstreet]

Thank you so much CC. AND...thank you so much for using our Amazon Store. Joanie & I can't thank you enough. 👁👄👁 EDIT: BTW...did you watch this one too. It's packed with some really good additional tips. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6K9m3hqlqqim80

[@pamperedcamper1834]

You have earned a new subscriber. I live in McAllen, Texas. I have been devouring the posts on cold weather camping. We had a trip planned to go to Kerrville, Texas; however, we cancelled it due to this storm that hit us. You have been the most informative RV KZbinr. Thank you so very much for this post. I learned so much. You are a wealth of knowledge. Thank you again. Safe travels.

[@RVstreet]

thx PC. It's been very weird lately down here hasn't it? This event has been a very teachable moment to all RVer's. 👍

[@glennbeadshaw727]

In Canada we don't disconnect the water we just use a heated hose

[@123irishi]

Martin, your the MAN! Always enjoyable to see your vids! Did my Generator tuneup the other day and like you said you need a universal to get the the right side spark plug. Glad I went out a got one! Doing my oil change for the v-10 and also like you said my dipstick is not correct! Glad for all the info and hope to meetup someday! Thanks Greg and Dreama

[@RVstreet]

and hope to meet up someday....... Me too. 😜

[@jencin7630]

you need to carry extra propane tank to hook up to your system - you will be running heater for 24/7 -

[@cherryclipper3811]

Great information!😊😊🙏🙏

[@fladave99]

I live in Miami. I have heaters, propane, heater buddy, 3 inverters, 1,000 watt solar, 2 gennys, 40 gals of gas, 2 30 pound propane, electric space heaters, water distiller, in line water filter, drip filter and RO filter. and 1 year of food/1 year of cat food and litter.. Gotta be prepared

[@johnstangel8918]

Hey Martin great ideas another great thing to use is at Walmart they have a small heater that hardly uses any electricity and will keep the bay at 65 degrees.

[@ef5842]

Thank you Martin. You explain these things so well. I thought about the both of you during the cold snap. You stayed with it. I want to say for heating your coach, you've got it figured out. I want to add to your video here about heat with what I learned from experience and one other RV You Tube. When you mentioned that you wrapped up your outdoor cord with plastic, and then a towel and over that with more plastic made me think back when I had to shovel snow and I didn't have gloves available. The wind was blowing, the snow coming down, so I went back inside to put on my hands a pair of socks, then plastic grocery bags, then another pair of socks. By the time I had finished shoveling, my hands were warm. And the second pair of socks was icy. The You Tube story I want to share is about a woman who had a Dodge Caravan. Her son-in-law insisted he install a tiny wood stove that had a 3" insulated chimney pipe going straight up through the roof. It was installed behind the passenger front seat and it had enough flashing and stone mount to keep it safe to burn wood. Her back seats were not in the van, so she had ample room. She used it many times over in the desert back when RVers could use public land. You both are lucky to have purchased an RV pad, just in time. I will be tuning in more often. Stay well, and I hope you'll also be planning some traveling to see your Maine relatives again.

[@RVstreet]

I'm smiling right now thinking.....there's no way I'm running a chimney pipe out our roof. 😜 But on the other hand if we did, Joanie may enjoy chopping wood. (NOT) I'm to busy doing videos so she'd have to do that. 😝😝😝😝😝 Yes going back to Maine this year only this time we'll be going up the east coast from Florida. Haven't been up thru those parts yet. Beautiful up in Maine.

[@lawrenceloud4737]

More good information, Martin.

[@chloesamclutch]

Actually, as long as it isn't a hard freeze in a campground, you can simply leave it all hooked up, shut off the water, relieve any pressure in the hose and turn it back on when it warms up. Won't hurt a thing but it only takes a few minutes longer to store it underneath. Definitely fill the tanks as you recommended, this has saved my tail on several occasions!

[@RVstreet]

Yep, and the key words you used were, "as long as it isn't a hard freeze in a campground". 👍

[@lifesadventureskeepingitre1180]

Install a woodstove works great. I use one.

[@matsulli2086]

Why not just drive South? Well done good info..

[@truebalsamhogs]

Thanks.

[@kathystevetrooperblanck609]

We are sitting in Whitney Texas and the campground went to great lengths to get ready for the cold snaps. Nothing they can do about the brownouts in the Texas electrical grid. All we need is to get Kentucky to move back up North where it belongs.

[@davesigz]

Nice video. Thanks. Martin At 9:45 you talk about putting the (2) 6 volts in series to get 12 volts. You double the amps hrs and say you now have 230ah. at 12 volts. Is that correct? I though amp hrs do not double when in series?

[@RVstreet]

Your right they don't double. In my battery senario you have 2 - 6volt batteries that are rated at 115amp hrs. each but wired in series.. With this config. you'll have 115amp hrs. available and you don't want to run them lower than 50%. If you want, read my clarification comment at the top of the comments section. thx Dave for watching. 👍

[@teetrav]

Yes I had no water heat or electric for days in home I was in..city shut of everything..i posted sad video😪 it was so awful....I left to go get warm on the road!! Stay safe guys!!

[@hannahshepherd9073]

Thank you so much! Your video popped up so I watched it and as much as I dream about RV ing I know now it's beyond my mental & mechanical capacity, definitely would need a man .

[@RVstreet]

Now Hannah..........you can learn. There's tons of places to learn including here. From your comment, there may be some other underlying things I don't know about, but if there isn't follow your dreams and overcome your fears. You CAN DO THIS. But in any case thanks for watching and ya.......maybe just go find a man and then follow your dreams (with him). 😜

[@hannahshepherd9073]

@@RVstreet I am not "eye candy" as they call it. Minnie Pearl is Miss America compared to me. But my dog likes me sometimes !

[@RVstreet]

​@@hannahshepherd9073 😝😀​ 😝😀​😝😀​ Great come back. 💗

[@maryanngeyer3364]

Thanks great information, it was cold here in Alabama. We did all the right things. We were the only rig with 0 issues.

[@RVstreet]

Pays to be prepared. Good for you Maryann 👍

[@richardmillican7733]

Heating.... Chinese knock-off diesel heaters, they run off 12v DC They pull about 8amps at start up for maybe 20mins and then the pull drops down less than 1amp Diesel consumption is tiny Well worth investing in, I have 2 installed. My RV went from -3 Celsius to +22 Celsius in about 25 minutes, plus you can duct hot air into wet bays if you want! I’m in the UK

[@grandmomcrafts]

Love all your videos, and I have been watching them ALL! Xxx

[@TheYankmchain]

Dang brother...you knocked the views out of the fuqn park! Nice work, great vid!

[@Burnstravels]

My RV is in the process of being Martinized, I have a list of priority issues first, Safety improvements mostly. The list isn't that long but its worth doing.

[@Erin-Thor]

For those scoffing at his words thinking “I have a trailer rated to zero, or -14, I’m good...” THINK AGAIN and listen to him. Whatever you think bad is, it can get worse. Your rating on your trailer is WITH POWER & PROPANE running. We were running low on propane, and thought ehh, we will just be gone a few minutes, an hour or so at most. We left our tank heaters on, space heater on, tossed our empty propane tanks in the truck and left. So off we go, small line for propane added a few minutes, stopped for groceries, in and out and headed back at two and a half hours. We came home to the RV park dark, power out due to everyone like us using too much electric power, no one knew where the breakers were, water pipes froze, people’s RV’s were flooded, ice everywhere, and everyone yelling. We got lucky, just one pipe broken in the cold and not much damage. We left that afternoon for another campground, and things felt sluggish, when we arrived to find several hundred pounds of ice inside one of our holds we had missed. No matter your confidence level, I would suggest listening to this video several times, he is preaching RV Gospel! Take notes! Be safe!

[@RVstreet]

That my friend is a story, I bet can be repeated in many places. Thank you for your detailed story and kind words. 👁👄👁 EDIT: BTW...can you clarify what this meant? "when we arrived to find several hundred pounds of ice inside one of our holds we had missed". What did you by "holds" and where did all that water come from that created that much ice?

[@Erin-Thor]

@@RVstreet - Under the bedroom behind the axel was a large hold accessible from 3 sides, it had about two inches of water in it that we missed that was frozen in one big block of ice. We thought as the water pump had been off that little water had been released, we were noobs. Water pressure came from the park hose, we think... my wife swears that ice/water wasn’t there when she checked.

[@RVstreet]

@@Erin-Thor 👍

[@jackcassidy9403]

Martin, We are in McKinney TX and our 40' Country Coach we have is stored in Celina, 12 miles North.. I had a great idea when the power went out (for 2 days)....go and get the coach and use the 8.5 kw genset! Well, I arrived at the storage facility in my 4 WD Ford Expedition and walla! Staerted to assess backing the coach out in 4 inches of snow and after dwelling on the idea for 20 minutes, decided it's a no go. I wasn't sure if the 20 tons would help and plow through the 4" of snow or the weight would simply allow be to back out and sit in the aile! It was l like seeing an Oasis in the desert! Next warning, I fetch the coach 24 hours prior to a storm. Funny thing, we are usually in Ft. Myers, FL and it was -1 F here in McKinney (32 Deg F in the house) and 80 deg F in Ft. Myers! It will be the last time I listen to my wife :-), as she wated to stay this year! Separately, I watched your wash video as I am going to do my 1st wash and folow your lead to the Tee! Where in Texas are you from? Thanks for the informative videos! Jack Cassidy P.E. McKinney TX

[@RVstreet]

Originally from Houston.

[@rvlostagain6137]

When the ICE AGE hit here in Texas. My generator would not start due to the oil being so thick it would NOT flow. So, the Low Oil Pressure Safety switch KILLED the Spark and although the started would crank, no spark to ignite the fuel.... FYI