The last time we left we were safely in Tacoma and the Christmas holidays were fast approaching. I promised you that we will know how the RV runs cold.
Cold Weather RVing lessons:
It was December, but temperatures below zero in Tacoma, are rare. So, if the temperature went down there the first night in the '20s (-9 C) we were caught completely unprepared.
Here's what happened:
The tube connects the water has frozen The plastic tubethat has frozen reservoir of fresh water The gas / propane furnace ran all night
I must tell you, our AERBUS Rexhall motor home including a good quality and all the pipes and access is through a sealed off bin. We thought it would be sufficient, if the temps dropped to zero or just below. The truth is had is, since only a few degrees below the freezing point, it would probably be OK. The problem was that there is more than just a little 'below zero!
Lesson # 1 -How to keep the pipes from freezing
If the connections or water pipes that are exposed outside, the temperatures just below zero can freeze and crack the lines. Even if your fill lines and points are enclosed in containers or compartments where such areas are not insulated and heated too much, only with the sewer pipe or water coming through an access hole in the freezing temps and can lead to problems with it ... as we found out firsthand.
Our simple solution was towrap a strip heater with a temperature sensor (about $ 20.00 U.S.) for exposed pipes and valves. We have the local shop. And 'the type of water lines or crawl space outside meaning. It seems an extension cord that has no connector on the end.
When we are in an area that has a potential freezing temps, we are simply the tape box full of heat in our power connection with an extension cord extra (heavy) and the sensor provides power whenare needed.
That's all we needed to keep the tank from freezing and connections. We do not connect the water hose in freezing temperatures, fill the tank with fresh water, if necessary. If you were to stay in one place for the winter, it might hurt a band and some other insulation to keep a tube on the pipe from freezing.
Boondocking for camping or dry, you can even things that isolate the room full of insulation the water lines or strong externalkeep them from freezing temps at all, but cooler.
Lesson # 2 - do not mix the hot air and plastic water lines
My father has done to reduce a heat gun used for the most heat pipes and windows. We decided to use it to heat the pipes and use the water pump working again.
Big mistake!
Now, with the hot air gun was a good idea, we did not know how hot it would work and the speed with which it is. Instead of slowly heating the entire sector, I made the mistake of blowing directly onPlastic pipes for water.
In less than two minutes, I had the water line so well that the plastic is softened and warmed with a water line under the pressure of the pump ... It was formed as a chewing gum and popped.
I was lucky, my father was remodeling his kitchen and had just the right size plastic line of water on hand. So, that all I had to do was to finish things slowly thawing, and then fix the water line cracked. This was only two valves, about 8 inches of new plasticWaterline, the hot air gun for heating the ends and screwed everything back together in less than 30 minutes. As I said, I was happy where are the tools and materials to solve the same problem I had.
And 'easily could have been a few hundred dollars for repairs if I had to do a workshop.
In conclusion: Motorhomes, 5 Wheels and other campers are able to deal with temperatures below freezing. You must use a little 'common sense and a backup plan for when things are not.
Notcan prevent the cold, enjoy your RV year. To test the cooling capacity of close to home or family, just in case. Keep spare bulbs and insulation for nearly Backup and repairs Frozen pipes and tanks still slow - fast and thinks, can
As we travel throughout the year, we will keep you updated on what we learn, the date (the hard way) and how you can avoid making the same mistakes (the easy).
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