Just a few days ago Tammy and I were enjoying a cold beverage on the patio as Eva splashed in the pool with her toys. Then the forecast took a radical change. Sorry Eva, your summer pool parties are over!
Rain was in the forecast in a big way, with us receiving seven inches within two days and more coming. Then the outlook beyond the rain changed as well. Three days early in the next week were predicted to be below freezing:
Freeze Watch issued October 29 at 3:12AM CDT until October 31 at 10:00AM CDT by NWS Fort Worth TX
WHAT…Sub-freezing temperatures between 26-32 degrees expected.
WHERE…Portions of north and northeast Texas.
WHEN…From late Monday night through Tuesday morning.
IMPACTS…Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing.
A Freeze Watch means that the season’s first episode of sub- freezing temperatures are possible. These conditions could harm sensitive plants, and residents are advised to protect tender vegetation. Automatic sprinkler systems should also be turned off to avoid creating ice patches on nearby roads, driveways, and sidewalks.
When I saw the overnight temperatures getting down into the upper 20’s I got that queasy feeling. Should I throw caution to the wind and just blow the lines out with compressed air? While many in Texas do take that approach, I have steered away from it.
Now I blow the lines out and follow it up with pumping antifreeze through the lines. For the eight dollars in antifreeze, and the added ten minutes of work, it is just a safer route to go. I see way too many folks that end up with problems related to ice, particularly with their toilet valve. While it seems like compressed air would result in empty lines, that just isn’t the case. The lines probably have a residual layer of water in them that they compressed air flows over. The lines may be clear enough to prevent a problem. However, the toilet flush valve and perhaps plastic plumbing elbows could be a problem. I’ll spend the extra money on antifreeze to avoid those issues.
So, two days ago before the torrential rains hit, I made a store run. I stopped first at Tractor Supply and filled up the travel trailers propane tanks. Our last trip to Daingerfield State Park plus the nine day trip to Dodge City, Kansas (with the cold nights, and the cooking) ran one tank empty and the other about two thirds down. Tractor supply tends to have the least expensive propane in our area. It has always been cheaper to have my tanks filled than to exchange them.
After that stop it was on to get the RV antifreeze. I picked up a couple gallons and headed home.
If you want to read about the winterizing process you can click here. It really isn’t very complicated but you need to think through every part of the process so you don’t miss something. After you have done it once, you will wonder why you ever paid anyone to do it for you. I blow my lines out first then I run antifreeze through the system, and the whole process is done in less than an hour.
Many folks down here are fine just blowing the lines out, and I have done it that way before too. Even though it is Texas, you just can’t underestimate the volatility of the weather. You could get lucky just blowing the lines out or perhaps it will be a mistake to do so. The weather here is hit or miss. Rain, Ice, and freezing weather all come into play in the winter months.
There have been many times where we had to cancel a trip due to last minute weather changes. Most of the cancellations were due to rain and an inability to hook up the trailer. We used to pull straight through on our pad, but that required driving through the back yard. Since we had so many times where the backyard was inaccessible (due to rain), we now just back int our spot.
We do have a scheduled trip for New Years. I am curious how that weather will play out.
Well once the trailer was winterized, we enjoyed what was left of our last decent day. That night the rains came, and they came hard. The yard was under water, and the forecast continues to show freezing temperatures ahead.
Regardless of the current weather, we can rest easy knowing that the trailer is protected. If you haven’t winterized your travel trailer it might just be time to do so. Stay Safe!
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