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11-01-2016, 08:27 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Twin Falls
Posts: 6
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Furnace setting to keep pipes from freezing?
We are putting off winterizing our 24' Cougar travel trailer in the hopes of squeezing in one or two more trips for the year. In order to keep our water lines/pipes from freezing even when parked on the side of our house we know we should set the furnace to run as we've been told that is what will keep the water lines under the trailer from freezing (as that is where the heat ducts are), but we're not sure what the minimum temp is we should have it set at? We've never tried this before, we usually just winterize it at the end of October. We live in Southern Idaho and while we haven't hit winter temps quite yet, we will soon. We were thinking setting it at 50 degrees, any input? Also wondering if there are any other things we should keep in mind that maybe we are overlooking besides worrying about the water lines?
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11-01-2016, 06:54 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
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Re: Furnace setting to keep pipes from freezing?
That's what I do with the RV while camping in cold temps. Here temps do not get that bad until Dec/Jan and I just winterize at that point. Unwinterize if a trip gets planned. Beach house I do same during winter. Depending on how low temps get there, a electric heater placed inside may work great. I have done that before. Open cabinet doors to keep heat in them.
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2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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11-02-2016, 01:52 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Weaverville, NC
Posts: 86
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Re: Furnace setting to keep pipes from freezing?
I think you are fine at 50. Just don't fool your thermostat and not get enough heat in the basement with an electric heater.
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11-03-2016, 04:15 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Saint Louis
Posts: 235
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Re: Furnace setting to keep pipes from freezing?
Instead of doing a full winterization, just blow out your lines. Takes about 10 minutes, including bypassing the water heater.
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2012 Ford Expedition EL Limited
2014 Passport 2510RB
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11-03-2016, 11:17 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: West Sand Lake, NY
Posts: 29
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Re: Furnace setting to keep pipes from freezing?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jkohler70
Instead of doing a full winterization, just blow out your lines. Takes about 10 minutes, including bypassing the water heater.
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That's kinda what I was going to propose as well. Even if you don't currently own an air compressor, purchasing a small pancake compressor and the little brass blow-out connector will be cheaper and easier than running your heater constantly.
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11-03-2016, 02:06 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southeastern Connectiut
Posts: 1,306
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Re: Furnace setting to keep pipes from freezing?
Cheap, but effective, blow out fitting:
1. Short piece of 5/8" hose scrap (Male end)
2. Tubeless Schrader valve (Tire valve)
3. If needed, hose clamp.
Combine the two, always remember to limit your compressor output 40#, and leave faucets open, farthest from city water hook-up. Also great for blowing out white water and garden hoses! If in doubt about air pressure, use your water pressure regulator inline.
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Pull Toy
Steve & Jan, Ava & Emma (Mini Schnauzers):
2016 F350 Lariat 4X4 Powerstroke CC/SB "PULLTOY V"
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Proud Navy Vet!
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11-04-2016, 01:34 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Rainier, Oregon but my heart is still in Arizona and my wife's heart is in Oregon.
Posts: 232
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Re: Furnace setting to keep pipes from freezing?
What would the recommendation for minimum size air compressor be? I was thinking of a small 3 gal size should be good enough to blow out the lines. What do you think? thx
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Larry/Sharon Ellison
U.S. Navy Retired
Retired from Armstrong World Industries
Retired Period, But Not From Life
2007 Toyota Tundra
2017 Keystone Hideout 22KBSWE
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11-04-2016, 01:42 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,997
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Re: Furnace setting to keep pipes from freezing?
I normally use my big compressor in the garage to winterize the trailer. It's a 33 gallon upright and does a fantastic job. We dry camp for deer season and I've done some "campsite quick winterize jobs" on the trailer during hunting season. I use the Champion generator and a Harbor Freight 3 gallon pancake compressor. It does run the entire time, but for the most part, manages to "keep up with the flow". If I get too "energetic" and rush from faucet to faucet, I may need to stop for a few minutes to let it catch up, but overall, if you consider the compressor's limitations, you'll do just fine with a small, 3 gallon pancake.
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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11-04-2016, 01:51 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,695
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Re: Furnace setting to keep pipes from freezing?
A small 3 gallon compressor is what I use and it works fine. You just have to remember it's limitations but at 40 psi it's not a problem.
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11-10-2016, 12:10 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Twin Falls
Posts: 6
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Re: Furnace setting to keep pipes from freezing?
Thanks Ken. We are making our last trip this coming weekend and will winterize when we get back.
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11-10-2016, 08:04 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Orillia
Posts: 88
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Re: Furnace setting to keep pipes from freezing?
I got a very small 12 volt compressor from Canadian Tire Comes in a plastic case Hooks up to your battery. It shuts off at a preset pressure . Set it at 40 and worked great . Also handy to have on the road .
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2013 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 Diesel
Pullrite SuperGlide 16K Hitch
2011 Cougar 327 RES
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