I'm currently in southern Utah in a Hitchhiker 5th wheel. I have put plywood skirting around my trailer but it is not air tight. It has gotten down to 0 and my water lines are frozen, however my water pump still works and is pumping water from my fresh water tank. I don't know why the water is flowing if the outside water source isn't working. I have a heated water hose so I know water is getting to the inlet. I'm wondering if it would be worth placing a big space heater under the trailer even though it's not completely sealed off. Could that damage the lines?

One space heater won't make much difference, the cold ground will soak up the heat.Find whichever pipes are frozen and wrap with heat trace, or park a 40 watt incandescent in the general area.

Get some heat tape and wrap the pipes with it. That concentrates the heat where you need it.AmazonYou want it with a thermostat so it will turn itself on and off.

If you can block the rapid escape of air from under your trailer then placing a space heater (maybe even two) would be a great way to thaw things out under there. Remember hot air rises so it will heat the best at the underside of your trailer. If it is real drafty under there then this would not work very well.

Water flows using pump but doesn't using city water connection.....city water inlet check valve assembly frozen or jammedContinue using fresh water tank/pump and refill as necessaryJust use hose to top off and then drain put away until needed again.

Open the interior cabinet to access the inlet. Leave it open to get the interior heat to reach that inlet pipe.

frozen water lines | Good Sam Community

RAS43
Explorer III
Dec 26, 2016
I also have a Hitchhiker, my second, and all of my water lines are above the floor. None run below the floor line except the line from the tank to the pump and it is still flowing since the pump is working.. The suggestion about the water inlet being frozen is probably accurate. Locate the inlet, which is probably in a basement area and put an electric heater there. Or just continue to use the pump until the weather warms or you move. I doubt that a heater under the unit will do any good, IMO.
Vette_Racer
Explorer
Dec 26, 2016
Since you didn't mention what HH you have my advice is to see if you have a access panel in the basement to access that inlet, "mine does", and get some heat up in there. All my water lines and manifold are located behind a panel in the basement, if not there then look for other access to that area.
DeMcCrae
Explorer
Dec 27, 2016
When I pulled my water hose off the inlet opening, a bunch of dirt and gravel came out. Maybe the inlet is plugged ... duh. I'll check it tomorrow. Would be great if it's that simple and my lines aren't actually frozen.
This whole thing has been a learning experience since I'm single and I'm not in an area where there are other rv'rs. This is my third year but first in a cold climate. Always something new. Thanks again for all the suggestions.
DeMcCrae
Explorer
Dec 27, 2016
Also tonite I'm going to open all my cabinet doors and drawers so the heat circaybe that will help as well.

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frozen water lines

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