Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > RV SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES FORUMS > RV Systems & Appliances
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 12-09-2020, 03:29 AM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 955
Tank heaters

I always keep my grey tank dump valve open when I am connected. However, I’m sure I should be leaving a few gallons in it when my tank heaters are on during the winter so as not to burn up the heating pad on the grey tank.

I’m curious what other winter campers do?
Johnynorthla is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 12-09-2020, 03:41 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Chicago Metro
Posts: 3,957
we always leave both dump valves closed until ready to dump regardless of the season.
__________________
Rich, Ham Radio, Sport Pilot
Retired 9-1-1 Admin.
rk911 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-09-2020, 07:51 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
SmokyRV's Avatar
 
Monaco Owners Club
Ford Super Duty Owner
Holiday Rambler Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Franklin, NC
Posts: 203
X 2
__________________
Mike & Karen. 2012 Holiday Rambler Vacationer 34 SBD, Toad is a 2014 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, Copperhead Pearl . Blue Ox base plate with Roadmaster Nighthawk towbar with RVibrake2 Auxiliary Braking System and EEZTIRE TPMS. CHF, rear track bar and Safe T Steer. FMCA Member.
SmokyRV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 10:35 AM   #4
Community Moderator


 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Full timing
Posts: 6,190
Quote:
Originally Posted by Johnynorthla View Post
I always keep my grey tank dump valve open when I am connected. However, I’m sure I should be leaving a few gallons in it when my tank heaters are on during the winter so as not to burn up the heating pad on the grey tank.

I’m curious what other winter campers do?
You would not only burn up the heater pads but you could very well damage the tank as well. There is a chance you could melt a hole in your tank without water in it. I leave the dump close until time to dump.
__________________
2018 Road Warrior 427
2013 Can Am Spyder RT Limited
2017 Ram 3500 w/Aisin w/4:10
2 Dachshunds DJ (RIP 9-12-19) & Joey (RIP 5-14-21)
hamm2018 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 10:58 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Old-Biscuit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,689
Quote:
Originally Posted by hamm2018 View Post
You would not only burn up the heater pads but you could very well damage the tank as well. There is a chance you could melt a hole in your tank without water in it. I leave the dump close until time to dump.
THIS^^^

Bigger chance of damage to tank then to heat pad

Besides....grey waste can be as nasty/worst then black
Food debris rotting, oil/greases going rancid, sloughed body skin cells deteriorating, urine etc

With dump valve always open 'stuff' gets left behind and accumulates.
Tank outlet in side wall leaves a LIP that is below bottom of opening....without a WHOOSH of volume/fast flowing water that stuff can be left behind

Just saying..........
__________________
I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
Old-Biscuit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2020, 01:46 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Posts: 5,085
I agree with above posts on gray tank dumping in any season. If you are in southern Fl. you will probably not have freezing issues even if you leave the gray tank valve open. You probably do not need the tank heaters.

You may have tank or pad deterioration due to high spot temperatures with an empty tank. See instructions for your pads. You are likely to have gray water freezing issues if you do not close the valve until significant dump can be achieved.

Water flowing through the gray tank will probably not freeze. Water trickling through the stinky slinky may freeze and block the drain. How low the temp is and how long it stays low matters. There may be no place in FL that would stay cold enough for long enough to cause grief. You probably do not need tank heaters.

In Wisconsin where I live, I fill the fresh tank, disconnect "city water" line, remove the stinky slinky, and turn on the tank heaters when liquid has accumulated. I also drive to a dump site far away because most dump sites are closed in winter and most campsites do not have sewer hookups.

Freeze ups damage campground plumbing unless winterized just like my TT.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!
__________________
Paul Bristol
Kodiak Cub 176RD
Nissan Pathfinder 2015
Persistent is online now   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
heat, heater, tank



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Are my tank heaters working? CapnJustice Class A Motorhome Discussions 4 12-19-2016 08:26 AM
First freeze while full-timing. Use tank heaters? scottandanna iRV2.com General Discussion 23 12-06-2016 08:28 PM
Question about tank heaters SHAWPLG Toy Haulers Discussion 1 07-31-2016 02:36 PM
Black / Gray tank heaters Tom222 Fleetwood Owner's Forum 8 10-03-2014 07:34 AM
I know its May but no holding tank heaters? powerboatr Damon 12 06-26-2009 08:14 AM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.