Cold weather advice

[Never_be_Rich]

We did not outrun the cold weather! We will be camping tonight where the low will be 15° right now it is 22. We are in a 1997 Dolphin 536 (cross ways bed). Everything is find now ... water lines do not feel cold, etc. This old Dolphin has the kitchen vents that lets warm cabin air flow under the counter and ref to where the water lines run. We keep the door open under the bath sink. It has the tub shower so water lines on on the inside of the cabin. The tub P drain is a concern since it is again the outside wall so I added antifreeze.

The fresh water tank is under the bed so it should not be a problem. The gray and black tanks are about half full so there is expansion room. I am not sure if I should empty them or leave them. They have antifreeze in them from when we de-winterized to travel.

Full tank of LP, using a secondary electric heater, and furnace is running great.

Any suggestion? Maybe a light in the utility bay?

Thanks!

[Jim Stewart]

Sounds like you have it covered! If you are more than a few days, beware of the condensation on the interior windows due to the difference between outside and inside temps. A light in the utility bay may be added insurance. Have a safe trip!

Jim

[Never_be_Rich]

Update ....

The reflector light in the utility bay kept the dump valves from freezing in 8 degree weather, however, there is 12-16 inches of exposed pipes between the RV cabin and the bay. The gray and black lines run under the bed next to the fresh water tank, this area has heat. The pipes froze solid in the exposed section. I did not realize how exposed the pipes were ! I was able to thaw the section with an electric heater.

I looked for heat tape to use on the pipes in this area, but found nothing I was comfortable using with PVC pipe. I wrapped the pipes as best I could with foil backed insulation. After dumping the tanks and before traveling, I going to put 1/2 gal of antifreeze in each system, hopefully, this will fill the pipe section.

One other factor, my unit has a microwave convection oven that is also the exhaust fan for the stove. With 30 mph winds and temperatures in the teens, the wind created a major draft. We had to block the exhaust.

Hope this may help some else ...