35°F in White City Is a Code Red for Your RV's Plumbing
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October 28th, 2025
Here in White City, we’re pretty lucky. We get to enjoy all the rugged beauty of Jackson County without the brutal winters you hear about back East. Our local climate, classified as Mediterranean, gives us those gorgeous, warm, dry summers and what most would call "mild," wet winters. With an average annual temperature hovering around 54°F, it’s easy to get complacent.
That complacency is a trap.
If you’re an RV owner in the 97503 zip code, you’ve probably looked at the winter forecast, seen a "low of 35°F," and thought, "Great, it's not freezing. The pipes are safe."This assumption is the "Freeze-Thaw Gamble," and it's a bet you’ll eventually lose. That 35°F forecast is precisely why your RV pipes are still in danger.
The "Mild" Climate Misconception
The problem isn’t a deep, hard freeze. The problem is the fluctuation. Our "wet, cooler winters" mean we live right on the freezing line. A reported low of 35°F is often the temperature at the weather station, not the temperature in your RV’s uninsulated plumbing bay at 4:00 AM. As the night deepens, that 35°F can easily dip to 31°F or 30°F for just a few hours—long enough to freeze the water sitting in a P-trap or a low point in your water lines.
This is where the "thaw" part of the gamble gets you.
The ice expands, creating hairline cracks in your plastic or copper pipes. You’d never even know it. Then, the next day, the temperature rises to a perfectly pleasant 45°F. The ice melts, and that water begins to drip, seep, and flow into your RV's subfloor, walls, and storage bays. By the time you notice the damp carpet, the damage is done. Mold, rot, and a four-figure repair bill are next. Our 67% average humidity only accelerates this water damage.
The Vulnerability of a Parked RV
Think about that beautiful RV you took to TouVelle State Recreation Site last fall. Now it’s parked in your driveway. It’s a sitting duck for the freeze-thaw cycle. You might be busy, maybe planning a spring visit to the Alpacas at Lone Ranch or the Crater Rock Museum, and you put off winterizing. You tell yourself, "It's just White City. It doesn't get that cold."
But it gets cold enough.
Proper winterization with antifreeze is non-negotiable. But what about the rest of your investment? The dampness? The security? The UV rays breaking down your tires and decals? Leaving your RV exposed to the elements is a risk.
Winning the Gamble: The Storage Solution
This is why dedicated Boat, RV, Vehicle & Self-Storage Options are not a luxury; they're a necessity for protecting your investment. You need a solution that addresses both security and the climate.
Here in town, Best Homes Storage at 2014 Leigh Way is built specifically to solve this problem. I looked into their facility, and they offer dedicated Outdoor RV, Boat, or Car Parking. This isn't just an open lot. The entire facility is fully fenced, gated, and monitored by 24-hour security cameras. This solves the security issue, keeping your rig safe from theft and vandalism.
But what about the freeze-thaw gamble? For true peace of mind, the ultimate protection is getting your sensitive items out of the temperature danger zone completely. This is where Climate-Controlled Storage comes in. By maintaining a stable temperature range, these units eliminate the freeze-thaw cycle. They also keep that damp, wet winter air at bay, protecting your RV’s interior from the mildew and musty smells that plague so many vehicles stored in our climate. It ensures that when you're ready to roll, your RV is just as clean and sound as when you parked it.
Don't let our mild Mediterranean climate lull you into a false sense of security. That 35°F forecast is a siren song. Win the freeze-thaw gamble by taking proactive steps. Winterize your pipes, and get your investment off the street and into a secure facility designed to protect it.