Winter Proofing Exposed Water Lines Under Coach
Hey all,
Wondering if anybody has winter-proofed their greyhawk/redhawk for winter camping, other than running a heated water supply hose to their spigot?
Recently found out that our rig (2018 Greyhawk 30X) is not at all winter ready.
We have exposed water lines running from the rear driver side water bay across the belly of the rig into the coach closet and then over to the water heater and back out under the rig across to the kitchen on the slide out (~10ft exposed hot/cold PEX lines)
Even though we have tank heaters installed from the factory, I know its not going to do much for the ~10ft of exposed 1/2" PEX, dump valves that extend 2ft from the heated tanks and the water pump in an uninsulated outside cubby in sub 20deg weather.
Is it a good/bad idea to run heat tape along the hot/cold PEX lines and throughout the water bay and wrap them in slit foam pipe insulation? Then is it safe to travel this way, considering the metal clamps used at the line fittings could rub into the heat tape and short it out electrically next time it is plugged in?
If the heat tape is installed all and well, will the heat cause the metal clamps to heat up too much in normal operation? I've already noticed some water drips from the PEX hose clamps in a couple locations and not sure if that is because the pex lines are cold and not sealing right in spots or the clamps are crap and need replaced first.
Furthermore,
I was looking at two identical heat tapes and one of the heat tape manufacturers (FROST KING @ HomeDepot) says DO NOT install on PEX in the reviews on HomeDepot and Amazon, while the other (EASY HEAT @ Lowes) says ok on PEX, but you have to wrap the lines with aluminum foil first.
Temps are supposed to be in the low teens here this week! I've winterized with anitfreeze and can use the campgrounds shower/toilet, but makes for a royal pain to cook and do dishes without water for the next 2 weeks.
Thanks,
Dylan
@adventure.eat.repeat
|