Surviving in FREEZING Temps Off Grid in an RV

[@maryhight6030]

You just told me so much good information. Thank you. I know these things but it is great to be told again.

[@sherivanhorsentikihutrv7377]

I used pool noodles on all pipes and lines - slit one side with a exacto blade and they pop on pipes and lines easily. Not sure it is the best method, but does give some insulation

[@stuartriley]

Great advice Carolyn. Another tip is, if you are getting a lot of snow, build up a bank of snow around your RV or Rig. The snow forms a natural barrier to the cold. But remember to have a shovel of some sort to keep the snow in line with the bottom. Snow blow’s easy, so pack it in the direction of the wind. Also, digging out requires you to use traction, so having sand or leveling pads can help.😊

[@getlostwhenwondering393]

I used to do this at my house

[@TruthSeekers1989]

Hey thanks for the tip, what do you mean to keep the snow in line with the bottom?

[@stuartriley]

@@TruthSeekers1989 make the level of the snow so that it blocks the air and snow from building underneath the RV or Van. You want to make a section of the bottom is not allowing wind, snow and ice to get in and then block your ability to move, if necessary. You may need to shovel the snow to build it.

[@budgetwithfatima6530]

Love to hear how your keeping warm on those cold days and night keep safe ❤❤

[@Independent_DIY]

I think we found you when we were researching how to live in an RV in the winter last year. We lived through temps that got as low as -35F in Minnesota. We're happy to report that we had running water the whole time. We would also recommend having some RV antifreeze handy. Last year we used it in our grey and black tanks while we learned our limits and what we could get away with. ✌

[@russellhancock9765]

I am still Subscribed. It is getting colder here near Asheboro North Carolina.

[@ronnyfoulk1858]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@lisablake4237]

Hi Carolyn. I'm Lisa and I live fulltime in my 33ft Fleetwood Bounder. It will be -5 tonight. How do I keep warm? I am lucky enough to be able to plug in, but at that temperature, the pipes are frozen, including propane pipes. Oh and I live in Alaska. I use space heaters, and a Cubic Mini stove. My freshwater tank is empty, I have water jugs where they can stay warm and liquid. I also have heated blankets on my bed. That is a game changer for me. I also make sure the batteries are all charged, that includes running the engine and turning the heat on now and then. That will also keep the jugs from freezing. I took your advice about the blankets on the windows and also the reflectives. Have a safe winter.

[@thomasbailey8299]

Winters been getting colder and summers been getting hotter around here. 3 inches of snow yesterday frozen up today. I turn the heat off in the trailer when I sleep with multiple sleeping bags, a neck scarf thing I pull over my head, I stay warm, if it gets below 20 I keep the heat on longer so canned food won't freeze. I turn off my water and fill up containers

[@heatherk8931]

Omg, I never thought about my glass canned goods! Thank you. Bad enough the metal cans

[@toddsines5913]

If I am remembering correctly, your last video on staying warm in the winter in Matilda went VIRAL! lol Us furr parents also have an extra special heater too🥰 Your faucet looked like it was on hot but it's also worth mentioning to turn both knobs to drain your hot water tank (part of the tank is exposed behind the vented metal door) as much as possible as well. One other comment mentioned the "low point" drain, a person could catch the water from water lines there, as well as, like you said to leave the faucets inside open over night. Thank you for the video and the great advice!

[@vernonbrechin4207]

Thank you for all the great tips. Though you often mention that you are not a scientist you have a good grasp of the expansion of water when it freezes and what that can do to the containers that it is confined in. The lower the level of water in the storage tanks the less stress stress they will be subjected to if that water completely freezes. Some RVs have drain valves near the lowest points in the hot and cold water pipe systems that allow a greater amount of drainage from those pipes. Caution is advised that their may still be low points in the water pipe system that traps a plug of water that can still rupture a pipe when it drains but taking your precautions reduces such issues. You may have already covered it in prior videos but when an RV is put in storage for a lengthy period of time in temperatures that drop well below freezing for extended periods of time then it is best to fill the water system with an antifreeze solution made for RV systems to protect all the plumbing. When that is done the user must go through an extensive flushing process to ensure that very little of the antifreeze solution remains in the system when the potable water system is restored for consumptive uses.

[@sky02148]

This is why I love your channel so much, you have such a array of different topics and type video thanks for sharing and as always stay safe, safe travels, and God bless love ya Nancy

[@felicetanka]

Thank you for not interupting your video with commercials, they're more appreciated that way.

[@CarolynsRVLife]

Getting paid for My hard work is also appreciated.

[@annmarie9213]

#standinggrandma Good checklist for when it gets cold...thank you! 🤗

[@vickielane7387]

Very good information. Not all know these things. Thanks a bunch 😃

[@DeerheartStudioArts]

The rich colours of this vid is beautiful! Good topic!thanks much🦌💌❤️🚙

[@Maibu-OReiley]

I live full time in my older class A up in Vermont. i deciced to just drain my tanks and pipes since im staying at my partners parents place till after christmas and i can shower and use the bathroom in there. Then im gonna refiill everything once i start my trip down south. But for warmth i just put blankets up over windows and block off the cab area to keep cold air up there, my Rv also has two furnaces (only one works right now) and i can get propane delivery.

[@dragonflytoo]

All very good points 👍. I had a Mr Buddy heater hard lined into the propane. It runs all night and keeps me warm 👍. No electricity required, just a convection fan. 👍👍

[@panchamama]

Great tutorial , happy travels

[@larajackson7506]

Another amazing video! So glad to see you are good!!! Continued prayers and love for you and Sadie!!!❤ thank you for sharing ❤

[@Carol-qi6me]

This is great info and a timely reminder with weather forecasts showing very cold temps coming up this week.

[@CarolynsRVLife]

If you enjoyed this video, please subscribe ----o KZbin.com/@carolynsRVLife Thank you Patron Video Producers: Donna, Melissa and David, Heather *Check out these other Winter RV Living videos* Great Heater for your RV: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5bLZouPl7iZaKc Don't Freeze in Your RV with these simple tips: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kIezZZ-Ph6tlqpY Heater Buddy Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ooDXiaOfoZunlac

[@donatellarossetti9779]

Thanks Carolyn, I appreciate you!!!! I am following you from Italy 💖

[@PhillipStewart-k7f]

Big buddy heater ❤

[@marilynrenaud1892]

Great idea for a video...very important information. Thank you. Stay warm Carolyn...safe travels. 👍

[@debbierogers2203]

# standing grandma. Thanks for all the information you share with all of us.

[@veeemit9719]

11 degrees…wow!

[@MBMCincy63]

Black shivering 🔔, good practice to do for safety. I really like that blend of plaid in your shirt, it's very cozy looking. Thank you 💞.

[@gereshomeE]

Really USEFUL - Thank you, Carolyn! Good on ya' from an Englishman 🇬🇧! ☺

[@bettydanico2959]

Great video , Carolyn . Winter is just around the corner☃️🌨🌤⛄️

[@eyeswideopen1158]

Great tips Carolyn! 👌

[@jeanroeder5534]

As a last resource you can also run the engine and put that heater on in short spurts, been there done it, it helped.

[@vandadd4761]

#standinggrandma Thank you again for sharing. I often find myself in Omaha, Nebraska during the winter time. I go there to visit my kids. I wintered over during covid the last two years and it gets to 22 degs below zero. Last winter I bought a Chinese diesel heater. That thing is great. It keeps a steady 60 degs temperature inside my poorly insulated 1976 RV even with outside temps below zero. The price of diesel sucks right now, but my heater only sips the fuel.

[@cynfll]

I would like to know what brand heater and where to purchase if possible. Thx!

[@vandadd4761]

@@cynfll Thanks for replying. I ordered the one I have from Amazon. The brand name is Tseipoaoi $169. I just looked it up and it is no longer available. Amazon's recommended replacement is only $129. As I understand it the diesel parking heater was introduced by Webasto maybe 30 years ago. It was in response to diesel trucks needing to stop idling their rigs when parked during cold weather. Webasto had a patent or something granting sole rights to manufacture them. As the patent ran out about 10 years ago the Chinese companies started producing knockoffs. The name brand units are $1500 +. The knockoffs were sold for less than $300. The first ones were so cheap, you had to re-engineer them to get them to work good. Alas, it's been 10 years and the Chinese knockoffs have been slowly improving. Today, they are really cheap (

[@cynfll]

@@vandadd4761 Wow! Thx so much for such an in depth reply, I appreciate it. It is definitely something I will look into.

[@markparr7224]

You should really look into Chinese diesel heaters. They sip the diesel (3/4 of a gallon for 24 hours constant) and hardly use any battery except for start up and shut down. 10A for a minute or so and 1/3A running on low, 1.5-2A on high, which you don't really need except for a quick warm up. mine is running on low @ 25F barely above low, and it is keedping me toasty in my 8X16 cargo trailer, with 2" of polyiso.

[@GratefulWarriorMom]

Thanks Carolyn. As I mentioned in comments before, I'm renovating a '90 Winnie 21ft. I'm in Southern Louisiana and it was like 35 last night. I'm thinking that I need to plan ahead while the cabinets are still open enough to do stuff to the plumbing. Thanks for the advice and reminders!

[@randomspirit]

Wrap the pipes with heat tape while you have the chance!

[@vontrohs]

#standinggrandma Great tips for cold weather boondocking! Thank you!

[@kxrv6629]

Informative video Carolyn. I agree with your temp cutoff for worry. Typically, we hook up at 25°F. Haven’t drained our pipes, but do your other suggestions. Stay warm. We’re spending December in Asheville, NC

[@kxrv6629]

@@Couplescience No electric heat, except tank heaters. Bulb/utility light in wet bay. Reflectix in windows. Block cab with Blanket, turn propane furnace down to 47°F at night. Open cupboard under bathroom and kitchen sinks. Water heater on

[@sherilgreen7495]

# Butterfly Mornings and Wildflower afternoons Many thanks for sharing your travels with us .

[@budgetwithfatima6530]

Wow stay safe my friend 💜💜💜💜

[@sunshinedeb]

#standinggrandma Great video, thanks for the tips! Stay warm🌡❄️☃️ Happy Holidays 🎄

[@debbiehawk-payne8507]

Hi Carol ! ❤ THE VIDEO! The Christmas art on the video was a nice touch ! Thank you for all the great advice ! It's wonderful how you share with us all & work so hard to make an amazing video with so much content! Have a nice night pretty lady ! ❤🫂

[@joaniewolf9193]

I have listened to your videos for quite a long time and have learned so much from you. Love little Sadie! #standinggrandma

[@alisadaly9394]

Sidenote....you look so pretty! Ur skin has a rosy glow & you look happy! Have a great day!!

[@CarolynsRVLife]

Thank you so much

[@waltmooredanwilson8754]

Thanks for sharing your video. I enjoyed watching. Take care and God Bless.

[@GratefulWarriorMom]

In my sticks and bricks I've use split pool noodles for covering pipes. Would that work in an rv too? I know draining them is best, but what about using it a preventative measure for unexpected freezes?

[@craftytraveler9238]

#standing grandma. And thanks for the video. I hope I don't encounter freezing temps in the desert in Jan and Feb when I am there, but I know it can get cold at night.

[@cookingcleaningandeverythi2275]

#standinggrandma thanks for the great info!!!!!

[@sandizal1]

We have used a tarp around our rig and that did amazing at keeping winter wind at bay

[@denisereedholm6589]

Carolyn geez louise! 11 degrees is pretty darn cold! But you're just so practical and prepared. We live in Buckeye AZ and we're freezing with temperatures in the 40s! 😂😂 That said we do get through 118 temperatures in the summer 🤦‍♀️ Great to see you today! #standinggrandma.

[@heatherk8931]

Your temps sound alot like mine. 41° at 3:30 p.m. today, but summers hots as 115° in summer..

[@teresaellis895]

Now I want a blue plaid flannel.

[@RVthereyetmemaw]

So good advice there! Stay warm where you are! #standinggrandma

[@paige_n_neri]

All great advice 👍

[@thizizliz]

Sounds really practical! Good to know that the down alternative works as well as real down but without the cruelty!!!!!!! Plus fewer allergy issues do double benefits.

[@elisabethseeger5837]

That’s really helpful information!

[@annisechetelat9026]

Thanks for information....planning on buying a travel trailer next year to live in . 67 year old senior lady getting more crazy than I am!!😂

[@omavicmcmurray2893]

#standinggrandma Thanks for the tips. If its sunny during the day and there’s plenty of solar its also helpful to keep canned foods warm with a cheap 12 volt blanket and Mylar wrap.

[@geogypsytraveler]

Great advice. I would add some RV antifreeze to drain elbows. 19 is as cold as I've gone. I don't like to be cold but even desert nights can freeze, as you know.

[@CarolynsRVLife]

The drain elbows wouldn't hold enough water to break anything

[@ruthannbiernot9856]

40°! I've been in Florida so long, I'd freeze to death at 40°! LOL. It's 67° right now and my feet are cold! Lol

[@tinastheoutsider]

Volume shuts down when it came to talking about the small business. I just got a 1993 roadtrek 190 V so I have to learn all this stuff b4 I was just in my minivan but now I already learned to dump the holding tank aka the black tank and how I have to completley lay on the ground to find the pully lever to pull to release it..omg. 🤣🤣 crazy just crazy. So im learning.

[@emiliagarcia6868]

Great information 😊❤

[@patriciac5214]

Happy New Year. Great info, thank you.

[@teresahubbard9045]

#standinggrandma, Hey Carolyn, thank you for all of the great tips! Great video.

[@lindayaya59]

Thanks for the video

[@elisabethseeger5837]

I’m really grateful for this one. I rented a classic for2 weeks in October and really was cold in Idaho except when visiting friends. I wondered what you do👍👍😄😄😄

[@pategerstaffer4519]

#standing grandma. Good tips for cold weather!!

[@monicaowens9036]

❤🌞🌈💞😘I wish you warmth, sunshine and rainbows of happiness!🤗🌈🌞❤

[@wildbrookies]

Oh wow! Thanks for all the information that can alter your life in a van/RV. Very important to know the weather in the local area and plan ahead. Also appreciate you sharing all your knowledge! I enjoyed this video as well as all of your videos! #standinggrandma

[@annieyahu676]

Good information 👍

[@MsRybak1]

Very interesting video.

[@DeerheartStudioArts]

What about the black water tank? Is it ok to freeze?🦌💌🦌🚙

[@mikejordan9220]

It’s hard to stay warm when it is really cold out. Even when I’m plugged in, a lot of cold migrates through the floor.

[@mikejordan9220]

@@Couplescience That sounds good. Thanks for the suggestions.

[@jeanroeder5534]

Yes, floors can be very cold. I use rugs throw rugs any kind so there is not a bare floor and it definitely helps.

[@barbaravestalvestal151]

Thanks you for another great video love you hair it's got so long it's beautiful thanks for all the tips

[@getlostwhenwondering393]

#Standing Grandma. Cause she is so cute🤗

[@lashturner]

Hi Carolyn, I'm sorry but I would have to keep my thermostat to at least 70 to 72 and still bundle up with a electric blanket set on 5.

[@nancyheneghan4760]

#standing grandma. Would love the Halloween one! My brother had one for his vacuum. Don’t know what ever happened to it after he passed.

[@csmoothsk8ter17]

1st of all I must have that shirt!! Have you added it to your Amazon store? If you're going to be in freezing temps for more than 24 hours do you think it's necessary to drain your hot water tank? 💙🦋💙

[@suzannebrouillette4531]

Again you never fail with all your great info. Even when I lived in an RV for 5 years never knew half the stuff you share. Thank you, Suzanne

[@Seeker0240]

How about your water heater? Do you need to drain it? Will it drain with the pump off? Thanks. Love your videos.

[@Seeker0240]

@@richardthomas1743 Thank you Richard for replying to my question regarding the water heater possibly freezing. My problem is that I only turn it on as I need it, certainly not at night. So I guess my choice would be to either drain it or leave it on, which would eat up my propane. Any suggestions?

[@lolasaxby1399]

I love the idea of opening the faucets. Great video. Thanks!

[@CarolynsRVLife]

You're welcome! Opening them allows any air to escape that might cause pressure and breakage :-)

[@patriciawhitener3398]

That sounds so hard. But I know you’ve been living in an RV for a very long time so you have worked out all the bugs. It’s the cold weather I would be Herton with. I have bad arthritis and that would be so miserable. But you do a great job.

[@kc0lif]

Arizona

[@suzannebrouillette4531]

#standinggramma they are so cool.

[@Maggie-Gardener-Maker]

Good advice for campers and for really old houses too. I definitely do on my camper but also I actually do a lot of those precautions on my house when we have the rare hard freeze. I love the #standinggrandma creations! I noticed on their website they also have a sticks and bricks near the Alpine Village of Helen, GA!

[@annisechetelat9026]

And...there's the wind chill factor.

[@jayneak7011]

Can you drain your pipes at an factory installed low point drain usually under RV in a convenient location?

[@cynfll]

#standinggrandma Great video! Appreciate all the tips

[@juniormorris3878]

Tuned in to see what other people do. Was hoping there's an efficient way to keep the water on in any temperature, off grid. Looks like there's no easy way to live comfortably in an RV during the winter. I have a vacation home in Berkeley Springs West Virginia. I'm not there all the time, but I've left the heat on and the power failed in a snow storm. Needless to say, I had to replace almost everything. In the past, I've done what you recommend, draining and leaving things open. Well, that's not 100 percent effective. Water sits in pipes and some areas will still break. I have to blow them out with air pressure. I hate using antifreeze, but better than losing fittings and such. I think you're lucky, and because you live full time, you can monitor it, but for part time RVers, I wouldn't suggest doing the minimum as you're demonstrating.

[@randomspirit]

Brrrrr! I'm cold just thinking about it. LOL! We used to put a 40w light-bulb in the pump house (in Minnesota!) and that was enough to keep it from freezing. I wonder if that could be utilized somehow in an RV?

[@philguzman6932]

Just run a generator and use a space heater. Warm and toasty.

[@jeanroeder5534]

As long as I have propane, I am warm it will keep the inside from freezing.

[@lorihendricks8617]

Thank you so much for all the good info!! I will keep that in mind if I am ever in the cold weather. As of right now, I'm not full time. but at some point I would like to be. I love your videos...always filled with great content and information! You and Sadie keep warm!! #standinggrandma

[@chorne4677]

#standinggrandma Where did you get your flannel shirt? I love the colors.

[@MsRybak1]

Thanks for the reminder about subscriptions. I checked and I was unsubscribed. Corrected immediately! Don…..Toledo, Ohio

[@sparrowsway272]

# Standing Grandma

[@sherryb1997]

Nice shirt! Wondering what brand is that?

[@CarolynsRVLife]

Old Navy

[@ambrosia-qt9ts]

You don't wrap pipes that are on an outside wall ?

[@dianecullins4779]

#StandingGrandma

[@kevinthompson960]

Is it a 4 season rv?

[@CarolynsRVLife]

there's no such thing.

[@kevinthompson960]

@@CarolynsRVLife Whatchu talkin bout Willis?

[@tinytpot]

Wonderful advice...broke our RV pipes in a blizzard once... wasn't fun at all. Never again 🙏#standinggrandma

[@WickedKit-E]

#standingGrandma Thx for the giveaway. Great tips