Freezing interior water lines

[Thomson]

While we were camped last month the outside temperature went down to 28 F. Our fiver was on the gas furnace which should have kept the water lines from freezing but it didn't. Any ideas? We thought it was good to 0 F. We disconnected the hose and were only on the fresh water tank which was 1/3 full. When the outside temperature rose we had water, so we know it froze.

[JohnWedell]

What model fifth wheel do you have

[33 RLDS]

Dang, my kid and her boyfriend just spent 5 nights in our rig with temps down to 16F some nights with no issues. Kept the stat on 68 while they were in it and 50 when they were not.

[Thomson]

Exactly the same as you. 315RLTS loaded

[JohnWedell]

Originally Posted by Thomson

Exactly the same as you. 315RLTS loaded

Now you got me worried. I was planning on spending the winter in it on Long Island next year do you have any idea where the lines froze and how about the residential refrigerator. I’m worried about that also on the outside wall.

[Thomson]

We have a Norcold double door with an ice maker. We don't thinkk that line froze. however, not certain. Since the line thawed pretty quickly once the outside temperature hit 32 F, we think it was the line from the tank; probably before it gets into the facility bay (the place under the bathroom where the furnace, etc live.).

[oldmanAZ]

Not the same trailer as being discussed, but...

Last winter on our way to FL, we had a few nights when we were concerned about lines freezing (we have the enclosed underbelly) when we were boondocking. We left the bathroom and kitchen lower cabinet doors open with the thermostat at 65deg. Our lines didn't freeze, but there's no way to know if leaving the cabinet doors open was the reason.

[33 RLDS]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Not the same trailer as being discussed, but...

We left the bathroom and kitchen lower cabinet doors open with the thermostat at 65deg. Our lines didn't freeze, but there's no way to know if leaving the cabinet doors open was the reason.

I thought about leaving my cabinet doors open as well but when I opened them, I got hit with air warmer than was inside the camper so I left them closed.

[TonyCO]

I wish there was a way to know how low you could go without hurting anything. We are at Lake Peublo State Park and according to the weather guy it went down to 28 last night. My wife and kids think (I mean know) I’m a worrier so no water for us last night. I left some bottled water outside and it didn’t even frost over. I don’t want to hurt my trailer, but I should’ve took on water yesterday for convenience sake. Your case seems to go against what most people have dealt with, but it makes me stick with safer than sorry I guess.

[Riverman]

You can buy a Camco heated water hose (faucet to trailer), heat tapes, insulation and turn the heat up to 65.

[Jim Smyth]

When I bought my 2017 Jayco 28.5 all season trailer there was a lot left to be desired regarding cold temp sealing. My underbelly in half the places you could literally stick your hand in sideways. Pretty poor job of fitting that plastic sheeting and sealing the unit.


I spent a few days cleaning up all there sin with lack of attention to sealing the unit up. I used 2 cans of Black expanding Foam and 1 roll of Black Flex Seal tape. For me I hate the cold and it was more of a way to make sure there was no rodent motel issues. You could shine a light at night on one side and see exactly where the huge gaps were which is what I sealed. I am sure I have more areas but it greatly reduced right now.



I have had my unit in the teens to low 20's early on had a few frozen hoses that didnt thaw out till mid day. Now I remove and drain the hose prior to it freezing. I try to not open under belly compartments when its below freezing to help retain what little heat is in there. I use the furnace only when its below freezing so the underside gets some warming too. Otherwise above freezing is 2 ceramic space heaters.


Also 2 years ago when we were in the Florida Pan Handle in January when it was below freezing for a few days there was a few rigs that had split water pipes in there outdoor shower hose areas. People always forget to blow those out. Becomes apparent when you turn them on and water starts coming out from under your rig.

[Ralph0808]

One way to help keep the temperature warm in the utility & storage area is to use a few 75 -100 watt bulbs hanging around. Get a remote temperature sensor so you can monitor the area temp. Then you can set the furnace down a little lower and still keep the water lines warm. I have had my 19 KPTS in 19-20 degrees with no problems yet, 3 bulbs burning 24 hrs a day, heated hose from park to rv. The bulbs will keep the area warm enough.

[Ladd]

Originally Posted by Thomson

Exactly the same as you. 315RLTS loaded

We have had many nights lower than 28 without problems. Same model. Never a freeze issue.

One thing I can think of is make sure the vent in the basement is open. Warm air from the furnace goes through keeping that area from freezing.

If you find another reason for it please share. I would like to be prepared.

[JohnWedell]

I wish there was someway to keep the furnace fan running while it’s freezing outside just to keep the air moving throughout the unit

[norty1]

Originally Posted by JohnWedell

I wish there was someway to keep the furnace fan running while it’s freezing outside just to keep the air moving throughout the unit

Try using the ac on low fan only. That may help circulate the warm air. Our unit has a ceiling fan that does the same thing.

[Timber]

Had the same problem, got down to -4c and water froze should be no problem just turn on the pump and we should have water NOT. Ok change water hoses and water works fine, so water line is froze between FW tank and pump. When I got time to look at the problem heres what I found, the low point drains from the FW tanks exit the coroplast these two drains are joined together and the intake for the pump is then connected to the rear drain OUTSIDE of the coroplast so no freezing protection. So much for the Climate Shield 0 degree camping

[JohnWedell]

Originally Posted by norty1

Try using the ac on low fan only. That may help circulate the warm air. Our unit has a ceiling fan that does the same thing.

That would not circulate warm air around the underbelly. The heater fan would

[GL243]

It wasn't just your fresh water connection hose frozen by any chance was it?

[thenne1713]

Originally Posted by JohnWedell

I wish there was someway to keep the furnace fan running while it’s freezing outside just to keep the air moving throughout the unit

There is, at THermostat, change FAN control from AUTO to ON

[Salliemeandering]

We found a crack in the incomming water connect. We usually blow out the line then add antifreeze. Not this year wondering if it was redundant. Well thank you polar vortex! Will be doing them both next year. Apparently even a little water is enough.