2001 Winnebago Journey DL interior heat question

[ProMod guy]

I store my RV outside plugged into 50 amp. I've drained all water from tanks and lines for the winter. We get cold where I'm at (15 degrees and above) but usually not for prolonged periods. My coach is equipped with gas and electric heating system. I was thinking about turning the electric heat on at 60 degrees during cold spells to help keep heat in it. 1- will it help? and 2-has anyone done this with positive results? Thanks in advance.

 

[Morich]

I tend to reduce the overall heat in the RV during winter but do want to keep the pipes safe. I do not see much problem with the whole RV getting cold if the plumbing is safe.
But that does often need a few questions asked/answered to check for things we might miss?
I tend to question myself several times if it will help me avoid working to repair what I missed!
You've drained the tanks and lines. Did you remember to put some antifreeze in the traps at all sinks and make sure the stool is not holding water?
How about the little plastic filter at the water pump? Being hidden, it can be easy to miss! I have learned to turn the filter housing bottom side up as a way to help any water that might collect there also go on out the drain. Having the filter hang down seems to "look right" but it can also mean water collects to break the tiny little thing!

I lean toward putting electric heat from small heaters like 200 watt or light bulbs as I can direct the heat better to the spots where I worry most. I have kept several temperature controllers from my fish keeping days and they work nice to reduce the overall load for heating and only use power when the temp drops at that specific location. That lets me sleep better as long as the power stays on!
The wet bay is one that tends to leak air really bad, so it gets a light bulb in that compartment!

 

[ProMod guy]

Excellent points. Much appreciated!

 

[be happy]

Once the plumbing is taken care of by using the RV Antifreeze I pretty much leave things alone. I feel that I do not need to provide a warm place for critters to live in the winter. I do alot of critter repelling to keep them out, so why provide heat! I just do not see the reason but then thats me. I will run electric heat when I do my monthly run the engine and generator.
Good Luck

 

[Morich]

Mention of critters may never be talked about enough!
There are those who have different methods that fits them, but for me, I find one of us has to go! If the critters have to die to keep them from making a mess of my RV plumbing, wiring, and anything else they use to sharpen their teeth, I consider it needed!
Lots of studies have been done and they all say the little buggers are not eating what they chew but they have to chew to keep their teeth worn down and sharpened! None of them actually eat copper or insulation but they do certainly do CHEW it!

So I have to assume they WILL get in and they WILL chew anything that seems handy.
So I find it works for me to assume they will damage a bunch of stuff if I don't stop them.

One semi-safe way to deal with rodents of a wide variety is the "rat bars" we find at most any home center. At about 1 inch square cubes, I can find lots of spaces in the RV where I can toss a few back way out of sight and out of reach of any of my animals or friends.
Those tight spaces where we don't go but they love to hide?

We recently had a long, long posting about how to find and fix the wiring in an RV that seems to have a baffling range of 12VDC coach electrical problems. I tried to help with sorting the problem but it seemed to come down to a plug had come loose in the wall, even thought that seemed really weird.
But I was WRONG! The OP finally got around to taking panels off the wall and found rodents had chewed lots of wires in two, not at the plug but several feet away, making it ultra hard to find the problem!

Any new folks who do not try to prevent damage are likely to wake up one day with a mess! The various rodents are found almost everywhere and they WILL eventually get in the RV!
Once they are there, your choice is what they chew on and for how long?

 

[JaminSamin]

You mentioned using the Journeys electric heat, aka heat pump to maintain 60 degrees inside the unit. Just know the heat pump that is part of the basement HVAC system doesn’t work well..if at all…when the outside temps get below 40 degrees.

 

[Cooperhawk]

Go to the hardware store and buy a product called either "Cab Fresh" or "Fresh Cab". They are little packets of either balsam or mint and are so aromatic that critters can't stand them. We've used them for years. I put them in drawers and compartments and we have had very little problem since using them.

 

[Cooperhawk]

If you put in the poison cubes the critters may die in your walls and then you have that oder to contend with in the Spring.

 

[Morich]

Negative on the smell question as that is what I like about the bars? They are a chemical that dries the rat out and leaves no smell that we have ever found. I have found dead rats back under things but they seem to normally go back outside as I feel sure we had lots of different rodents when stored outside in the country.
One of the points which finally drove me to using something semi-permanent like bars was when something moved into the filter housing on the engine. I had a hard time getting the engine to start and then when it did finally catch but would not idle down until I took the air cleaner off and found it stuffed with acorns!

I have a hard time with the idea of a smell that would drive off all the various rodents that would also not drive me out when trying to sleep! If a rat will chew the corner off a box of Tide, I'm thinking any smell that drives him off will make my eyes water!

But the idea of life is that we all get to choose how we go about solving problems! I'm not religious enough to try to tell other folks what to do beyond making suggestions!

 

[Grapehound]

ProModGuy, your question "Will keeping the heat at 60 degrees help?" -- since you have already winterized the RV -- I have to ask "Help with what?" There's no need to keep an RV at 60 degrees if you're not living in it. It just costs you energy. What is it that you are trying to accomplish? What positive results are you looking for? Can you be more specific?

The thread has drifted into critter control, but I didn't get the impression that was part of your original question. (Be Happy's point is well taken that a warmer camper with no humans around might attract more rodents.)

But what is it you wish to "help" or make more "positive?"

 

[RayIN]

I store my RV outside plugged into 50 amp. I've drained all water from tanks and lines for the winter. We get cold where I'm at (15 degrees and above) but usually not for prolonged periods. My coach is equipped with gas and electric heating system. I was thinking about turning the electric heat on at 60 degrees during cold spells to help keep heat in it. 1- will it help? and 2-has anyone done this with positive results? Thanks in advance.

Nope, electric heat does not circulate into basement compartments and water storage areas; only LP heat does that.
Your owners manual has a winterizing section, read and follow directions, simply draining the water will result in frozen areas.

 

[klook]

Nope, electric heat does not circulate into basement compartments and water storage areas; only LP heat does that.

That depends on the type of unit he has. There are many different systems in use. Some of the large motorhomes incorporate multiple ways to heat. Heated floors, heat strips in the AC, Heat pumps in roof AC's and basement AC's along with propane furnaces and diesel boilers like AquaHot and Oasis.
I don't think there is any question that maintaining some level of heat is beneficial but I don't know to what degree. I would think it depends on temperature swings and humidity.
I took his question to be about maintaining the quality in the motorhome as closed up houses tend to degrade when left unheated.
The discussion about rodents has been had a million times in every forum on the internet. Nothing works except bait bars, anti coagulant feed.

 

[GMorgan3002]

I store my RV outside plugged into 50 amp. I've drained all water from tanks and lines for the winter. We get cold where I'm at (15 degrees and above) but usually not for prolonged periods. My coach is equipped with gas and electric heating system. I was thinking about turning the electric heat on at 60 degrees during cold spells to help keep heat in it. 1- will it help? and 2-has anyone done this with positive results? Thanks in advance.

I have a 2002 Journey with the same heating options. I can tell you my experience with the electric heat option is the gas furnace will also be engaged when the temperature gets below about 40 degrees, so I don't think it will work the way you want it to.

 

[NASCARUSS1953]

I store my RV outside plugged into 50 amp. I've drained all water from tanks and lines for the winter. We get cold where I'm at (15 degrees and above) but usually not for prolonged periods. My coach is equipped with gas and electric heating system. I was thinking about turning the electric heat on at 60 degrees during cold spells to help keep heat in it. 1- will it help? and 2-has anyone done this with positive results? Thanks in advance.

Looks like on picture you have the basement air/heatpump. It will only generate heat down to 35 degrees,if temp is too cold outside it will kick in your propane furnace also.. If your thermostat is set more than 5 degrees higher than present room temperature it will also supplement the heat pump by turning on the propane furnace

 

[Tillie]

I blow out the lines with a compressor add some antifreeze in the traps. Drain water heater first of corse. Never a problem in any motor home or even in the trailer on a permanent site in the mountains where it is 10-15 degrees colder.

 

[wkboardr]

I store my RV outside plugged into 50 amp. I've drained all water from tanks and lines for the winter. We get cold where I'm at (15 degrees and above) but usually not for prolonged periods. My coach is equipped with gas and electric heating system. I was thinking about turning the electric heat on at 60 degrees during cold spells to help keep heat in it. 1- will it help? and 2-has anyone done this with positive results? Thanks in advance.

I have a different thought about this than others. The reason for humidity inside the rv has to do with the temperature constantly being in flux. My thought is keeping the RV in a constant temp. I use 50 degrees as a median temp. I usually set up a ceramic heater and if it drops below 50 degrees it turns on. For the excessive cold days, I use my propane as an assist (it rarely runs). I also have a humidifier to help keep humidity below 50%. I have used this setup on multiple campers/RVs with much success. Also, I live in Georgia and while it doesn't get terribly cold, it does get below freezing for extended periods.