toliet keeps freezing

[Trizzy]

I am full timing in my 2013 Pinnacle and I've managed to keep my lines from freezing except for my toilet! There is a valve behind the toilet and a tube running near the foot petal to the top back. There should be water in it but its empty. Anyway I can isolate just the toilet and use anti freeze? Or does anyone have any other suggestions? Help.. thanks in advance!

[Redhorse 823]

Is there room or access to heat trace it?

http://www.amazon.com/Easy-Heat-AHB-...rds=heat+trace

[Trizzy]

The hole that the pipe comes up only fits the pipe i could possible drill down to make the hole bigger to put in heat trace but i cant be sure that i might not damage another pipeline

[Jagiven]

Trizzy, sounds like a challenging issues. I am not very familiar with 5vers, but often the bathrooms are up front above your cargo hold. Does the pipe run through the cargo hold? Have you traced where the pipe runs? A couple thoughts I have initially would be to wrap the pipe with heat trace (it is a wire that gets warm to keep your pipes from freezing, very similar to heat tape to keep ice dams from building up on the edge of roofs). If the pipe runs through the cargo hold is the cargo hold heated? If so, you may need to supplement the heat, via removing or moving the diffuser. Another thought might be the duct to the basement is not fully open to the main heating system. I have heard of the duct not being connected on one end and debris in the supply duct. If the pipe is running within the 5ver, maybe you can leave a few cabinet doors open, or possibly cut a few holes in the panels where appropriate and add a diffusers for look, this would allow heat to radiate back into the utility chases. My #1 guess is your pipe runs through the basement, and you need to add so airflow/heat to that area. If so, are your cargo hold doors insulated? If not it might be worth adding some Styrofoam panels inside the hatch covers, to prevent heat lose. What part of the country are you in and how cold has it been getting?

[dzwiss]

Are you using your furnace? The storage area and the utility area under the bathroom should be heated, as well as the bathroom. I don't understand how it could freeze.

[norty1]

Just a thought. My fiver has heat vents in the storage area. If you have them, make sure the louvers are open and all hatch doors are closed tight.

I am assuming you are running the gas furnace for heat.

[MikeNChelle]

Mine has a heat vent into the basement as well as one in the area where the water enters the unit. If you had the covers off by the water filter area that could create the problem as well. This is all working IF you're using the gas furnace with the camper.

[Trizzy]

Update: I have got it unfroze again by putting a herman nelson under the trailer and blasting for 15 minutes something gave and we now have water to flush again. I am using the gas furnace and the vents are all open in the basement it is warmer down there then my 5ver! I will consider installing some insulation on the door panels that open the basement but have also placed a heater to blow directly into the area where my pipe lines are held. Fingers crossed that it doesn't freeze again.
Jagiven- I live in Northern Alberta where we are getting -15 to -30 weather. FUN!

[dzwiss]

Originally Posted by Trizzy

I live in Northern Alberta where we are getting -15 to -30 weather. FUN!

Well, use the wheels on that Pinnacle and come on down to Yuma..........It's 72.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by Trizzy

Jagiven- I live in Northern Alberta where we are getting -15 to -30 weather. FUN!

I think we found the problem. That’s in the temperature range we have been experiencing this past month or so. Unfortunately these trailers are not insulated all that well for the extreme cold. If you are parked for all winter, a few hay bales or some Styrofoam insulation all the way around the base of the unit and some additional insulation around the cargo doors will definitely help. Some heater tape may also still be a good idea.


Be careful with an unattended heater, or you might be looking for a new 5ver due to a fire.

[hozerdude]

I have read that if you put a 60 watt drop lite near your plumbing it will help make sure your plumbing does not freeze. Just a suggestion.