Should I Worry About Freezing?

[bcarter395]

Howdy. I've had a June camping trip planned for the past six months, and now the lows are going to be in the low 20s. I've got a 26BHS with the thermal package (which I don't have a lot of faith in). Should I be worried about any freshwater tank/lines freezing or the same with the black/grey? Are there any extra preparations I should make other than putting extra antifreeze in the black/grey tanks? Thanks.

[norty1]

Will you have ac on this camping trip?

If you do or don't will have a huge impact on any answers.

[CAG]

It depends upon the length of time that the temps stay in the low 20s. The large tanks with fluid in them will not freeze unless it would stay that way for days. Not likely this time of year even in Idaho.

Your lines can become an issue if, again the time at those temps is long. I found in the many years of elk hunting in December and turkey hunting in April that the lines would take it down to 10F for short bursts but I also had an enclosed underbelly in the toy hauler. If they are exposed they will need to be insulated or emptied.

If you are staying where you have hookups you can fill the freshwater tank and use it. You can also leave the water on a trickle if hooked up but don't forget to open the gray tank or you could end up flooded by morning.

Even if you do have a line freeze and stop water once the temps come back up it will clear. I don't know where your water pump is but if not inside I suggest insulating it or turning a trouble light on near it to keep the temps up. The problem here is not knowing how your system is set up so I don't know where to tell you to add some insulation.

[NewBlackDak]

If you are running the furnace with the Arctic package, it should keep your lines/tanks from freezing. You might crack open the cabinets to help circulation. If you have hookups, but not a heated hose then disconnect the water.

[Jagiven]

Nearly every spring and fall we camp in these temps, and it has never been an issue.

Key element, over night lows in the 20's, what are the day time highs? If 40 or above no issues. Below 40, during the day, not really sure. Coolest daytime high has been around 40 degrees for us.

We do not have an enclosed underbelly on our TT. Tanks are fully exposed. Tank sizes are decent, so there is a fair amount of thermal mass. Ice starts at the top surface and works it way down, and will take days to freeze, just think of those little puddles in your driveway in the spring, just a light film of ice, and they are not fully frozen.

We make a habit, to keep the cabinet doors jar, that have plumbing that runs through them, just to ensure some heat can get back there. Also if you are at a CG with water spigots, disconnect and drain your hose. I like to put them in the cargo hold, so in the morning it is flexible to reconnect. We always fill our FW tank full, so we have water for night and early morning use.

[bcarter395]

Originally Posted by norty1

Will you have ac on this camping trip?

If you do or don't will have a huge impact on any answers.

Yes, I'll have the heater running. I will not have electric or water hookups. The trailer has the factory installed insulation on the under-belly. The black/grey tanks obviously have the drains coming out of that insulation. I was planning on splitting a bottle of RV antifreeze between those tanks to get down to the drains. The freshwater tank also has a small drain which drops below the insulation. I was worried about that as well.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by bcarter395

Yes, I'll have the heater running. I will not have electric or water hookups. The trailer has the factory installed insulation on the under-belly. The black/grey tanks obviously have the drains coming out of that insulation. I was planning on splitting a bottle of RV antifreeze between those tanks to get down to the drains. The freshwater tank also has a small drain which drops below the insulation. I was worried about that as well.

I have never done anything special. No antifreeze down the drains, never have wrapped the tank drains or anything. Never been an issue. Kinda wish my FW tank drain would break, to force me to replace it with something better.

Biggest thing I would worry about is having enough battery power to run your furnace. The furnace fan can drain a cheap dual purpose battery quickly, like within 24 hours.

[bcarter395]

Alright, from everyone's answers it seems like I don't have too much to wory about. I will have the furnace running. I will not be hooked up to water or sewer. The daytime highs should be in the 50s. I'll split a bottle of RV antifreeze between the black and grey tanks to get down to the drains just in case. I'm also worried about the freshwater drain which pops out below the insulation, but I've got an extra plastic valve just in case. Thanks everyone.

[bcarter395]

Originally Posted by Jagiven

I have never done anything special. No antifreeze down the drains, never have wrapped the tank drains or anything. Never been an issue. Kinda wish my FW tank drain would break, to force me to replace it with something better.

Well, that makes me feel better. Thanks, again!

[NewBlackDak]

You don’t need the antifreeze. Think about. It. Most of the water in the gray will be from shower and washing your hands, and will be warm on entry. Most of the stuff entering the black will be body temperature.