TIP: Driving or camping in temps below freezing - shut off gen compartment water line

[NealC]

Per my thread I started last night which may be too long a read for some, here is a tip all should do.

If you have a generator compartment water line (or lines) and you are going to drive in sub freezing temps (wind chill or actual below 32 F) then I suggest you cut off the water to these lines. Mine is frozen solid, line and hose bibb. So my new practice will be either in the fall to turn it off or keep it off and turn it on only when the gen compartment water is needed so I don't forget.

If you are winterizing be sure to get pink fluid through this line. If you're not winterized and using your coach in the winter, turn off at the shutoff valve which is typically the bay aft of the battery compartment at the chassis rail.

I needed the hot water for a reason in the snow/ice and it wasn't available, good thing I have a backup option. But the lesson learned is ALL should cut off this water source at the shutoff valve and purge this line before the open air gen bay is subject to freezing conditions.

[tnedator]

Couldn't figure out how to purge line. I shut off valve in cargo bay and then opened drain near spigot in generator compartment and then hoped movement from driving would evacuate line.

[NealC]

Shutoff valve and open spigot should be all that’s needed. I did the same.

[TJ]

Here's an interesting twist on the front water line. In addition to the optional hot water line, we also had a cold water line installed to the generator compartment as a "special." Why is a subject for another thread.

When it came time to winterize, I found the shut-off valve for the optional hot water line along the frame rail as Neal described. The cold water line ran alongside, but no shut-off valve was visible. I looked everywhere but couldn't find one, so called Newmar.

I explained that I had ordered a cold water line as a special but couldn't find the winterizing valve. "Did you order a winterizing valve?" I explained that since the hot water line came with a winterizing valve, common sense would indicate that one would also be installed in a similar cold water line. "Not if you didn't order one installed," I was told. I guess common sense doesn't apply to "specials."

So, I bought a valve from Newmar Parts and a PEX connector ring crimper from Amazon and installed it myself. Problem solved!

TJ

[tnedator]

That's just beyond insane.

[NealC]

These lines should also be insulated, something I probably need to add. It's an exposed water line, it should have insulation on it.

[tnedator]

Originally Posted by NealC

These lines should also be insulated, something I probably need to add. It's an exposed water line, it should have insulation on it.

I assumed that was their anti scald device.