A Sad Day In Kazoo

RV DIY & Mods, RV Equipment Add comments

Nov 012010

Yes, I finally had to do it, I winterized the trailer. Temps dipped into the upper 20's last night with colder weather coming this weekend so I couldn't put it off any longer.

But all is not lost. This does mean no more camping in the area this year, but it also means I am getting closer to leaving on my trip out west for the winter. OK, so maybe it isn't a sad day after all!

It didn't take long to do. Just pulled the drain plug on the water heater, switched the water heater bypass valve, stuck the suction hose into a gallon of RV antifreeze and run the "pink stuff" through every faucet and the toilet. This also puts some antifreeze into the drain traps. Took about 45 minutes and 3 gallons of antifreeze.

The solar panels seem to be working just fine. The batteries are fully charged and ready to go. I still have a few things to do yet before I leave.

I started on an outside carrier for the "sticky slinkly".... that is the sewer hose. I wanted to get it out of the basement just in case it sprung a leak and got some of that nasty stuff in the basement. I am using a 5" vinyl fence post and attaching it to the rear bumper. Inside the fence post I am sliding in a vinyl gutter that the hose will lay in so I can easily slide it in and out for access. I have it made I just have to attach it to the bumper.

The next project is to cut an access hole from inside out so I can run an LP extension hose to my Big Buddy portable LP heater. While the trailer does have a furnace the fan uses a lot of electricity and is not very efficient. The Big Buddy is made to use those little 1 lb. propane bottle but they are expensive. So I am going to run a hose from my outside grill hookup to the heater so it can run off the main twin 30 lb. LP tanks. This is a pretty common thing for RVer's to do as it saves a lot of money.

After that I just have a few minor things to do that really don't have to get done before I leave. I can do them while I am gone. Now I just have to pack up all my crap and wait until I can leave.