Pipe freeze issue

[Magistus]

Hi all,

So we are living in our RV for the winter. It's a 2002 Jayco Eagle Cove 38FBS.

We had water no problem until it got cold and the hose froze. We did go and get a heated hose and the water is running fine thru the hose, there was some ice that I could see at the RV water connection. I did melt that but we still have no water, I did use a hair dryer over those connectors and still no water. Unfortunately we did not skirt the trailer, I'm regretting that now. The pipes are enclosed in the underbelly.

Thanks in advanced!

Any thoughts?

 

[CAG-JAY]

Hi all,

So we are living in our RV for the winter. It's a 2002 Jayco Eagle Cove 38FBS.

We had water no problem until it got cold and the hose froze. We did go and get a heated hose and the water is running fine thru the hose, there was some ice that I could see at the RV water connection. I did melt that but we still have no water, I did use a hair dryer over those connectors and still no water. Unfortunately we did not skirt the trailer, I'm regretting that now. The pipes are enclosed in the underbelly.

Thanks in advanced!

Any thoughts?

Yes, lines that are exposed under will freeze, such as overflow and the big culprit will be the fresh water drain that will freeze back up to the first T and stop water. You do not say how cold it is getting but 20 and below for long periods will freeze up.
You will need to put heat to the basement and control panel areas. The best bet is a common light bulb or two that will help provide some heat.

There are numerous threads here on camping in freezing temps which, while you are living in it is still camping. Do a search in the search feature at the top of the page or simply Google cold weather camping. There are numerous tips available.
Also heat under and inside of cupboards where there are lines, sink, bathroom etc. Here is some info to help from the search feature:
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f6/frozen-nightmare-105761.html

 

[Glamper64]

You don't want any split pipes that's for sure! You need buy sheets of ridgid styrofoam (thicker the better) cut to fit and enclose the bottom of the RV and add some heat via extension lights/heaters and hope there's no lengthy power outages. What about the tanks??
It's either close in bottom or winterize or move south!
Good luck!

 

[pconroy]

The pipes are enclosed in the underbelly.

Thanks in advanced!

Any thoughts?

That's good. We winter camp and our pipes are exposed. The one time we froze up, it took a long time at warmer temps to thaw out. I think you need to get some heat under there. Skirt with something like foam board insulation, and a couple of 250 watt heat lamps (if they still make them.)

How high are your daily high temps?
Full sun?

 

[Magistus]

Thanks for the replies all. I love in Rhode Island so it does get cold here in the winter- today it's 27 but it does go near zero some nights. Our large pipe where the waste of water exit from it all frozen up, I am going to Home Depot today to get heat tape and electrical tape to wrap it. I'm hoping I can get bales of hay or the board today to skirt the trailer. I read that the heat mats that you can adhere to the bottom of the tanks are good to have as well, I may check into those more as well.