How much below zero? Winter camping.

[doonkin]

Hi,
We are off to Death Valley then Las Vegas over the new year date, and lows are expected to hover around zero 29-33 at the chilliest point at night.

We WERE going to stop in Pahrump - buts that's going to be 23(so I say NO- too low for me)

I have taken the trailer out last year and it hit zero without ill effects-

What, in everyone's opinion isn't comfortable anymore and could be damaging to your tanks?

I have a new 23mbh so there is insulation on the bottom, and in Death Valley I will have my tanks filled (no outside hose).

Thx so much in advance for advice.

[33 RLDS]

You probably should specify Celsius or Fahrenheit. Zero F is 32 degrees below freezing. you would needs lots of propane to keep lines from freezing at that temp..If you mean zero C I wouldn't worry about it. just keep the heat on.

[doonkin]

Sorry, yes 32F. Zero celcius. Freezing water temp. 29-32 F I'm not so concerned,
But when I read a forecast of 23 F - I get a worried about lines freezing/ rupturing etc

[poohbear]

the coldest we have camped has been 17F.We have a heated hose and I wrap a strip of insulation around the faucet.
We were at Cedar Hill State park and also used our electric heater to lower propane consumption. warm inside but that north wind was really blowing so not a good camping day if outside..

[doonkin]

I will invest in a heated hose and some strategically placed insulation, but what about your tanks ( fresh/grey/black)? Is the heat from the trailer+underbelly insulation enough. Again, I'm not worried AT zero, but say it dropped to 23 F - I'd worry

[RedHorse1]

We camped in temps in the mid-20's without problems in the now gone X23B which had an exposed belly. These were nighttime lows where the daytime temps were well above freezing so we didn't have a long below freezing soak. We kept the interior comfortable using an electric space heater and running the furnace sparingly.

[RoyBraddy]

I have camped alot around here in the mtns where it gets down to the low 30's alot and sometimes down in the mid 20s... I will use the blow out method at the camp ground using my 12VDC tankless air compressor and add some pink stuff to the P-Traps... I just drain all the low points first and leaving the taps open in the trailer when doing this. Leaving the hot water heater top pop off valve open allows alot of its water to drain out thru the low points on my setup. After draining all the low points then I use the Hot Water Heater by-pass valves...

The beauty of using the nlow-out setup you can immediately start using the tanks again by just adding water when it warms up...

Having a bigger trailer with more lines and tanks I guess you have to worry about it bit more...

Roy Ken

[Stingray75]

It's not unusual for us "up nort" to see mid 20's early and late in the year. It only drops to that temp a few hours before sunrise and once the Suns up, temps rebound nicely. It takes a lot longer to cool a 1/2 fullwater tank to the freezingq point and the furnace pumps heat down there to further slow the freezing process. I generally keep 1/4 tank of fresh water and prime the grey & black tanks with a fair amount if it's gonna get cool at night. Remove the water hose late in the day and don't worry about it.

[doonkin]

Thx to all for the great advice. Ya all put my mind at rest. It looks like everywhere will be upper 20s-low 30s.

[doonkin]

Stingray75,

When you say you prime the grey/black, do you mean you add some sorta anti-freeze?
Sorry, I've only been at this trailer game less than a year. Every season brings new lessons.

[Seann45]

Just remember that water does NOT freeze instantly the second the air temp hits 32f. it takes time for it too cool down. (and to warm up again in the morning) so as long as it does not stay at 29 for an extended time you should be OK.

[Flapper]

Put a cup of water in your freezer, and see how long it takes. Then imagine how much bigger your water tanks are, and how much warmer it is outside than your freezer.

If you are really worried about water lines, turn the faucet on so there is a small trickle overnight (provided you are hooked up to campground water!). Ditto for your gray waste line.

I wouldn't at the temps you are talking about, but it will give you added protection if you're feeling unsure.

It's been High's of 35-37 (F) and lows of 24-28 the last several days here in Minn., and my outside garden hose isn't frozen fully yet (and we had some serious cold a while ago, that should have gotten it well on the way to freezing!)