Preparing to be a snowbird

[bumpaj]

We are newbies and are preparing for our first trip to the warmth of the south this winter. We plan to leave northern Wisconsin after Christmas and have a number of questions. They are:

1. Do we need to winterize the coach before leaving? (Yes, our Decembers include below-zero temperatures at times.) Or can we turn on our basement heater to keep the water lines from freezing until we leave?

2. Can we have the basement heater running while driving until we reach an area where there are no below-freezing temperatures?

3. How is snow best handled on the roof of the coach? No, we do not have a shelter for the coach yet, but plan to get one next year.

4. Can the coach furnace or heat pump be run while driving?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. If you think I have missed any important questions, please answer them for me.

Jo-Ann Gruber

2002 Newmar Dutch Star

[wolfe10]

We are newbies and are preparing for our first trip to the warmth of the south this winter. We plan to leave northern Wisconsin after Christmas and have a number of questions. They are:

1. Do we need to winterize the coach before leaving? (Yes, our Decembers include below-zero temperatures at times.) Or can we turn on our basement heater to keep the water lines from freezing until we leave?

2. Can we have the basement heater running while driving until we reach an area where there are no below-freezing temperatures?

3. How is snow best handled on the roof of the coach? No, we do not have a shelter for the coach yet, but plan to get one next year.

4. Can the coach furnace or heat pump be run while driving?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. If you think I have missed any important questions, please answer them for me.

Jo-Ann Gruber

2002 Newmar Dutch Star

Welcome to the FMCA Forum.

I will address a couple of your questions.

Many DO winterize their coach and leave it winterized for the first day or so they are on the road headed for "Warm Country" leaving it winterized until they are south of the freezing temperatures. That way you KNOW you are OK. Just carry jugs of water to use for a day or two. If temps get REALLY cold, pour a couple of gallons of RV antifreeze in the holding tanks. With a little flexibility in your departure schedule, you can sure hit above freezing temps in 1.5-2 days of driving. Come on down to where the orange trees are happy (S Texas, Arizona or Florida).

And yes, the propane furnace (more efficient) or heat pump (from generator) can be used while traveling to keep you warm. If your basement heat is from the propane furnace, that is fine too. If from other source, let us know what you have-- some others are also safe while on the road. But, if you rely on it in well-below freezing temperatures, make sure it heats ALL plumbing including dump valves.

Getting the snow off the roof depends somewhat on what material covers the roof . You have to be a LOT more careful with rubber roofs than fiberglass. Best to start with a broom. If it is heavy snow, you may need one with stiff bristles.

Brett Wolfe

[bumpaj]

Thanks so much for your timely reply. As I'm sure most readers understand we are both excited and somewhat fearful as we plan our first trip south for the winter. The basement furnace is fueled by propane. The roof is rubber so we will pray that the snow doesn't fall early this year like it did last year. If anyone else out there has advice for our first snowbird trip it would be appreciated. Up until 6 weeks ago we were tent campers!!!

Jo-Ann Gruber

2002 Newmar Dutch Star

[wolfe10]

Thanks so much for your timely reply. As I'm sure most readers understand we are both excited and somewhat fearful as we plan our first trip south for the winter. The basement furnace is fueled by propane. The roof is rubber so we will pray that the snow doesn't fall early this year like it did last year. If anyone else out there has advice for our first snowbird trip it would be appreciated. Up until 6 weeks ago we were tent campers!!!

Jo-Ann Gruber

2002 Newmar Dutch Star

So, where are you headed.

Tell us what kind of things ya'll (you will have to get used to "Southern Talk" if you want to enjoy the "weather an orange tree is happy with") like to do. Perhaps we can offer suggestions on places to visit. We will probably move the discussion to "Destinations" if we get many replies on "where to go," leaving the technical discussion here.

Brett Wolfe

[bumpaj]

We are headed to the Harligen area in Texas. We have been in the area multiple times but only for a week or two at a time. We are planning to stay January February and March and have reserved a spot in a campground we found on the Internet. We are casual birders and really enjoy the many spots in the Rio Grand Valley. Any thoughts about where to go and what to do for three months without any snow to shovel would be appreciated.

[tbutler]

Hello Jack and Jo-Ann,

We have spent our winter in the McAllen-Edinburg area each winter for the last 8 years, number 9 is on the horizon. Besides birds which you'll be able to explore to your hearts content, there are bike trails, fishing on the gulf, trips to Mexico, museums, performances of the college groups-sports-orchestra-or any other interest. We love to play golf, swim all winter and join a bowling league. There are dance classes for any kind of dance you want to do. If you want to volunteer, there are opportunities at schools, parks, museums and civic organizations. Various RV parks have entertainment in the parks and there are events that visit the Rio Grande Valley or "the valley" on a regular basis. South Padre Island and McAllen both have convention centers that draw major entertainers on a regular basis. Corpus Christi and it's many entertainment opportunities are a day's drive away. We've spent weekends in San Antonio to see events and to simply spend time walking the River Walk or celebrate the New Year. We always try to make a stop or two when coming into or out of Texas. It is a great state to explore. Take your time coming and going. The Natchez Trace is a great way to get from south to north or vice-versa. Each spring and fall in Natchez there is the pilgrimage which features tours of twenty to thirty homes of the 19th century. These are home tours like no others. The home owner usually greets you at the door. Assistants are all dressed in period costume. Stop and visit parks in states along the way, next thing you know it will be May before you get back to Michigan and you'll be leaving in October and you won't have to winterize at all!

If that isn't enough, there are many flea markets. There is a publication "The Winter Texan" which lists all the events at other parks throughout the valley. Many of these events are y'all come type events. They range from dances to performances to dinners (we have lots of dinners). You could just sit and enjoy happy hour with your friends and neighbors. We make friends easily in the valley. Feeling young and crazy, you can join the spring breakers on South Padre Island!

Regarding winterizing, we avoid it at all costs! We arrive in the valley in late October or early November and leave in mid to late April. We've spent time in winter climates on occasion. Yes, we use the propane furnace when traveling in cold climates. I would regard the heat pumps as useful only in the 45 degree and above range. We have a winter package with heaters for all our water/waste tanks and use that with the generator if temperatures outside are well below freezing. We've never stayed north in cold enough weather to have to winterize but if you are in Michigan in December, you should probably do the whole bit. When we have had reason to be north in December, it has always been a short stay and we've been able to avoid the full winter treatment. I've always regarded my wheels as the best winterizing method!

See you in the valley.