Newbie Question about winterizing

gwpurinton

We are getting our t@b 400 tomorrow in the foothills of South Carolina. We are right on the fall line. Winter temp lows in low30’s upper 20’s. We don’t mind the cold and want to camp. What suggestions does everyone have regarding winterizing? Is there a way for us to enjoy our t@b sooner rather than later?

pthomas745

The question comes up a lot...and the answer is "it depends."  How cold will it get?  How long will it stay below freezing? If you are talking about just a few hours below freezing before sunrise, probably not an issue.  The best strategy is to know how to winterize. The blow out method can easily be completed  and just as easily be "reversed".  The trailer is also usable while winterized, if needed, just without water.  There are many strategies for camping when winterized.

Some threads on "when."  https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALeKk02605fY1xKVxRBVD2xAwc3jaC55Uw:1610681301805&ei=1QsBYKrSMKaw0PEPotWvwA0&q=when+to+winterize+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&oq=when+to+winterize+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQAzoECAAQR1D_DljrTGDQVGgDcAJ4AIABigGIAdATkgEEMzIuMpgBAKABAaoBB2d3cy13aXrIAQTAAQE&sclient=psy-ab&ved=0ahUKEwjqkNy2_5zuAhUmGDQIHaLqC9gQ4dUDCAw&uact=5

Sharon_is_SAM

Not sure if your intention is to keep your TaB winterized throughout the winter or to intermittently winterize depending on temperature.  I will assume you plan to keep it winterized.

The beauty of the Nautilus system is that it is easy to winterize the plumbing with antifreeze and avoid getting antifreeze in the fresh water tank which requires a longer de-winterizing process. TaBs come from the factory winterized using the blowout technique and only adding antifreeze to the sink and shower p traps.  If your dealer walk through includes hooking up the water and testing the plumbing, you will need to winterize again.  Unless you want to tackle learning how to blow out the plumbing,  I would ask the dealer to re-winterize it.  I suspect that most dealers will winterize by adding antifreeze throughout the plumbing, so just make sure they use the Nautilus so no antifreeze enters the Alde.  As long as there is no antifreeze in the Alde, you can heat the cabin using the Alde.  You can carry bottled water.  Some owners use the toilet and add antifreeze to flush, then dump the black tank.  Others use disposable bags to line the toilet bowl.  

Do you plan to Boondock?  If you plan to use private camp grounds or state parks, will there be water hook ups available?  Are the bathrooms open?  Just some things to consider.

warbler_road

We used our 400 twice over the holidays to driveway-camp at family members' homes. Well below freezing and we were toasty warm with the Alde. FWIW, our plumbing solution is to keep the plumbing winterized and use only the toilet with some antifreeze in the black tank to keep the dump valve from freezing (flush from a jug of water). Use bottled water for coffee and drinking. Washing we had to do in their homes.

gwpurinton

Thanks to all for great responses. I began looking on YouTube as well. Did not realize the extent of our community. Initially I will probably just keep it winterized and use campground facilities. I’ve got a lot to learn and I think this forum is like Wikipedia for T@B owners. Thanks again and happy camping!