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How cold is too cold?

jggigi2009jggigi2009 Member Posts: 6
in Camping & Travel
So hi guys! My husband and I purchased our 2019 T@B 400 about 6 was ago and we are so in love with our”Lady Bug”! We were wondering what is the coldest temps we should camp in her without fear off damage? Probably a silly question, but we are new RVers and have been tent campers before. Thanks for any info, Newbies
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  • pthomas745pthomas745 Moderator Posts: 3,961
    edited September 2020
    Welcome!
    Too cold is below freezing.  The longer it stays below freezing, you have a chance for water to freeze in the various pipes and drains in the trailer.  Since the pex pipes are fairly thin,  they can ice up and break.
    You will hear the phrase "Winterize."  Here is a thread on "When To Winterize" that will get you the basic idea of the thinking:
    Over in the "Categories" section under "User Manuals" is a whole section on...How to Winterize.  It sounds complex, but once you get an idea of the process it really is not too hard.

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • VictoriaPVictoriaP Member Posts: 1,496
    Your tanks are not particularly insulated and aren’t directly heated. Some of the inside plumbing passes through heated areas, but not all, and parts of the trailer may get cold enough for the plumbing to freeze even while running the Alde. The Tab is not a 4 season camper. 

    If you have water in the pipes, the general rule is you don’t want to be below freezing for more than a few hours. If it’s going to be longer than that, you need to drain the water system and go through the winterizing process. Winterized, you can camp in colder weather, but you’ll have to use bottled water rather than the onboard plumbing. If you’re going to use the black tank in below freezing temps, you’ll want to use pink RV antifreeze to flush the toilet...some people who camp in winter choose to line the toilet with plastic bags and add some kitty litter rather than potentially deal with dumping icy slushy waste.

    Basically, learn how to winterize now while the weather is still decent, so if you need to do it on the fly in the middle of a trip, you can. It’s easily reversed. Then carry a small compressor, the correct adapter attachment needed to connect that to your trailer, and at least a gallon of RV antifreeze (more if you’ll be flushing the toilet with it). Winterizing will take you maybe half an hour once you’ve learned how to do it. 
    2019 320s BD Lite, white with blue (“Haven”)
    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6r (unsafe 200lb tongue weight limit until 2020 models)
    2020 Subaru Outback XT
    Pacific NW
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  • Sharon_is_SAMSharon_is_SAM Administrator Posts: 9,744
    @jggigi2009 - once winterized, you can still heat the cabin using the Alde.  There are choices in how you winterize.  Many owners use the technique of blowing out the lines and then adding antifreeze to the traps and dump gate valves.  This is especially convenient if you run into unexpected temperatures or you plan to travel through an area of freezing weather to a warmer climate as there is no rinsing of your plumbing required upon arrival.  You can still camp like this with some modifications as Victoria noted.  

    Others add antifreeze to the entire plumbing system excluding the Alde and you can still camp with the modifications noted.  Just know that on arrival to a warmer climate you need to thoroughly rinse and that probably requires a full hookup site.

    If antifreeze is added to the Alde, it is recommended to avoid using the Alde.
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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  • rhynorhyno Member Posts: 393
    edited September 2020
    @Sharon_is_SAM I thought adding antifreeze through the water lines into the Alde flow could ruin it and that was the reason for using the winterization bypass switch. Is that not the case? 
    2021 T@B 400 BD, 2021 Lexus GX 460, Kansas City MO
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  • PNWtabberPNWtabber Member Posts: 492
    Great discussion.  Following!
    2018 T@B 320 S Boondock  |  2015.5 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD  |  Seattle, WA, USA
    "Blessed are the curious, for they shall have adventures.”― Lovelle Drachman

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  • Sharon_is_SAMSharon_is_SAM Administrator Posts: 9,744
    Alde says it is not necessary to add antifreeze to the Alde and Alde Flow tanks as the water drains out and what little may be left will not hurt the Alde if it freezes.  So, you can still camp in cold weather and run the Alde for heating the cabin.

    In areas of the country where it gets very cold, there are some dealers who prefer  to put antifreeze in the Alde water tank.  That is fine if you don’t intend to use the Alde at all.  If you do intend to use the Alde for heat, then the AF used in the water tank must be able to tolerate the heat from the Alde.  I think they probably do this and immediately store the trailer.

    So, you do not need to add AF to the Alde water tank and yes, if you choose to winterize by running AF through your plumbing lines, then use the Alde bypass valve to keep the AF out of the hot water tank.  The bypass is also used to prevent bleach water from entering the Alde water tank when you sanitize your fresh tank and plumbing.  
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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  • jggigi2009jggigi2009 Member Posts: 6
    Can anyone tell me how to use the blow out method for winterizing?
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  • pthomas745pthomas745 Moderator Posts: 3,961
    Look for "Winterizing 102" over in this thread.  Search for "blow out" will get you a few threads on flat tires, but lots more info and thoughts on blowing out the lines. 

    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • N7SHG_HamN7SHG_Ham Member Posts: 1,261
    edited October 2020
    @jggigi2009 use regulated compressed air limited to 40 psi hooked to city water connection and open each tap and drain valve untill only air is coming out. This is after draining low point drains and Alde drains plus fresh water tank.

    It works best to open a valve or tap at a time and go through them all a couple a times. Don't forgot outside shower and toliet.

    Actual valves, locations, etc. Vary by model and year, idea is same for all models.
    2019 T@B 400 Boondock Lite
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