Cold weather parking in an HOA in Ocala, FL

[Gfmucci]

I am in the process of receiving permission to park a 21' camper van in my driveway - its only permitted if it is my "daily driver" - which I find interesting.

Question about the need for winterizing in Ocala, north central Florida:
During most winters temps may once or twice drop down to around 28-29 degrees for a few hours (like 3 or 4) and shoot back up to mid to high 30's by mid morning. Is this temp low and long enough to require any winterization?

 

[bullfrog !]

I am in the process of receiving permission to park a 21' camper van in my driveway - its only permitted if it is my "daily driver" - which I find interesting.

Question about the need for winterizing in Ocala, north central Florida:
During most winters temps may once or twice drop down to around 28-29 degrees for a few hours (like 3 or 4) and shoot back up to mid to high 30's by mid morning. Is this temp low and long enough to require any winterization?

Is your camper a 4 seasons camper? In other words are the water systems and tanks in a heated insulated area and will you maintain the interior temperature? Do exterior tanks or systems have heat pads or tape? One cold night with daytime temps below freezing will most likely cause damage if left sitting in my opinion. Are external pipes in neighborhoods close by insulated or heat taped? This might give you a clue. A small trickle of running water is very effective in preventing freezing especially if runs are short. Why take chances as most systems are easily drained by using compressed air, water heater bypasses and RV antifreeze. Many winterize and use bottled water to avoid problems. If you can afford to keep the interior temps well above freezing and keep drains empty or treated with RV antifreeze then a partial winterizing might do fine, but why take chances.

 

[WanderingRose]

I recommend keeping a watch on temperatures and running heat in your van if temps are going to drop below freezing.

The other and more practical option is keeping your holding tanks and water lines empty during the winter, unless you are traveling in it.

 

[Gfmucci]

Is your camper a 4 seasons camper? In other words are the water systems and tanks in a heated insulated area and will you maintain the interior temperature? Do exterior tanks or systems have heat pads or tape? One cold night with daytime temps below freezing will most likely cause damage if left sitting in my opinion. Are external pipes in neighborhoods close by insulated or heat taped? This might give you a clue. A small trickle of running water is very effective in preventing freezing especially if runs are short. Why take chances as most systems are easily drained by using compressed air, water heater bypasses and RV antifreeze. Many winterize and use bottled water to avoid problems. If you can afford to keep the interior temps well above freezing and keep drains empty or treated with RV antifreeze then a partial winterizing might do fine, but why take chances.

Ribbit, thanks Bullfrog.

I'm looking at what the company rep for the new Pixel van calls a 3.5 season van. Everything is interior or heat padded except the water fills are outside on the driver's side. This is distinct from the Solis van that is true 4 season with ALL plumbing devices on the inside in conditioned space. I've never covered my house's hose bibs or hoses in an anything and never any damage.

 

[Gfmucci]

I recommend keeping a watch on temperatures and running heat in your van if temps are going to drop below freezing.

The other and more practical option is keeping your holding tanks and water lines empty during the winter, unless you are traveling in it.

Thanks, Wandering. I didn't think of leaving it waterless. Duh.

 

[WanderingRose]

And if you’ve used it, not only empty your tanks but open your low point drains.

Unless you get a really hard freeze, which you will know is coming, you should be safe.