At what temp should I worry about freezing?

[NomadBD]

Hey all,

I've been boondocking with my TT for about a year-and-a-half and have never done any winter camping. I'm headed to an area for a few days were the average overnight low is 29 and the daily high is 50.

My water lines are inside the trailer. I plan on keeping the thermostat at room temp. I will also top-off my 28 gallon fresh water tank and put anti-freeze in the grey and black water tanks before departing.

Should I be worried about freezing tanks or water lines?

Thanks,
Nomad

[RJay]

I wouldn't be concerned with your tanks freezing and your probably OK on your water lines. To be on the safe side though, I would leave the under counter doors open at night so heat can get to the water pipes and put a light bulb or two in those unheated areas where the water pipes are located.

[Our Time]

At a average low of 29 the ground will hold enough heat that you shouldn't have a problem. Leaving the cabinet doors open is a good suggestion.

[BryanL]

One guide is to average the daily max and min temperatures and when the average gets to below 35F it is time to worry about freezing.

If you keep the RV heated, then freezing should not be an issue.

The waste tanks aren't a freezing concern if they are less than half full.

Most piping should be able to handle minor freezing as it is PEX in modern RV's.

It is the non-pipe stuff that is most at risk. Fixtures are inside so they will be warm if the RV is heated. The water heater can (should) be drained when the rig is not in use. Fittings, filters, pumps, and valves are best served with good insulation protection and exposure to inside heat.

I generally just open the drain on the water heater, open all faucets, and set up an 800 watt electrical heater with a blower in a good spot using either its own thermostat set low or a farm water feeder freeze protect thermostat. That will do until the really cold winter weather sets in.

[NomadBD]

Thanks for the great suggestions. I plan on removing the silverware drawer because that is where my water pump is located which, coincidentally, is located right above my fresh water tank. Yes- my pipes are Peculiar and I have an enclosed underbody.

[NomadBD]

Damn spell check. I meant PEX!!!

[Ray,IN]

You will not have a freezing problem at those temperatures. My personal guideline is no lower than 28 and at least a day high of 45 for an unheated RV. Residual heat will keep the RV plumbing from freezing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NomadBD Damn spell check. I meant PEX!!!

Do you mean like this? While perusing the websites that make fun of the autocorrect feature I found this : http://www.nydailynews.com/news/nati...ticle-1.976868 It may be of use.

[scar9783]

At 29 for lows you shouldn't have any issues. I have campped in as low as single digets and as long as you have your heater going you will be fine. Open your bathroom door at night and if you start having pipe issues open the cabnet doors that the pipes go through. You should be fine without antifreeze in your grey and black tank, as you add water you will dilute the antifreeze anyways and it wont work unless you use 50% minimum dilution. For 29 as a low they wont freeze solid overnight.

[tvman44]

I don't worry about it till about 25F.

[NomadBD]

Hey all,
Just got back from my trip. The average high was 55-60 degrees with lows ranging from 18-28 degrees. I had absolutely no problems thanks to your helpful advise:

*did not use antifreeze
*used fresh water tank instead of city water
*at night- opened drawers and cupboards to expose water pump and PEX piping. Set thermostat to room temp.
*averaged daily high and low temps to insure numbers were above 32 degrees

However, I was connected to power. This is important to note as my furnace ran a lot during the night. If I were boondocking, I probably would have had fairly low batteries each morning. Also, I used one complete propane bottle during the 4 day 3 night trip. Again, thanks for all the advise.

Nomad

[Kodiak_Kid]

I have not used the heat yet in my TT as I am from Fla. I would love to camp in north Ga at some point. Are the heaters in these things gas or electric?

[Yellowreef]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodiak_Kid I have not used the heat yet in my TT as I am from Fla. I would love to camp in north Ga at some point. Are the heaters in these things gas or electric?

Both, it runs on propane for heating but the fan runs on 12v power.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kodiak_Kid I have not used the heat yet in my TT as I am from Fla. I would love to camp in north Ga at some point. Are the heaters in these things gas or electric?

I haven't put any heat in our MH yet and we're in WA. It's 9:00pm and 36° out. I don't put the heat on till it stays below 32° day and night for a couple days. It's supposed to get down to 30° tonight, but up to 43° tomorrow, then 29° tomorrow night. Tuesday will be 41° and 33° so no worry yet.

[Yellowreef]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D I haven't put any heat in our MH yet and we're in WA. It's 9:00pm and 36° out. I don't put the heat on till it stays below 32° day and night for a couple days. It's supposed to get down to 30° tonight, but up to 43° tomorrow, then 29° tomorrow night. Tuesday will be 41° and 33° so no worry yet.

Just curious, are you that used to the cold temps or do you stay really bundled up inside? I need to have the thermostat at least at 60 to be comfortable if its that cold outside.