Fresh water white hose line has new heat tape's installed and line has frozen twice. These tapes are "Easy Heat" brand and don't seem to be working. Bought the tapes new in October at local Lowe's store at recommendation of plumbing associate who says that "lot's of RV'ers use them. Temperatures here are just a tad under 20 degrees F. We are full time in 5th wheel and must stay put here until next summer when wife retirees and we go on the road. Thinking about using the fresh water tank and adding water daily as it has a built in heater but don't want to chance causing damage to it. What do you all think about his situation?

we've camped in some similar temperatures although not by choice. Didn't have any protection for the outside water hose so did as you mentioned. Put water in tank and used that. I may have turned on the tank heaters, but can't remember. Using water from the tank keeps things from freezing up also.

Maybe just get one of the hoses that has the heat tape built in then all you have to worry about is making sure it is plugged in.

Do you have insulation over the tape/hose?And yes even if the hose works I would keep the on board tank at least half full.

Heat tape on hose doesn't distribute the heat evenly. I wrapped my hose with aluminum foil first then taped the heat tape on with electrical tape. Walmart sells an aluminum tape that probably would be easier to use. I used heat tape on the hose using aluminum foil down to 15 degrees with no problems when I full timed. Much colder than 15 and the fauset would freeze.

In the twenties I have filled the tank and put an electric heater on low in the basement. Worked well for me. The heater also keeps the floor nice and warm.

Water supply line frozen again | Good Sam Community

mowermech
Explorer
Nov 26, 2013
We wintered over in Montana while living in an RV twice. Once in a 32 foot Class A, and once in a 32 foot fifth wheel.
Both times, I drained the white potable water hose and put it away. I built the water line out of hard copper tubing, soldered with lead free solder, then heat taped and insulated according to the heat tape instructions. It is vitally important that the thermostat for the heat tape be installed EXACTLY as described in the instructions, or it may not work properly. The water line to the fifth wheel was 40 feet long!
I never had a water line freeze, even in temperatures down around 20 below zero.
However, I DID have to put a 40 watt bulb in the wet bay once to keep the trailer water lines from freezing in there!
aruba5er
Explorer
Nov 26, 2013
Besides keeping the hose from freezing the standpipe is going to freeze so let the water drip fast enough to prevent freezing but not to waste too much water. We were in BIG BEND Texas one time and everything outside was frozen. Good thing we had water on board. was almost noon before it thawed out
handsome51
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
Try running the cold water in the kitchen sink to keep the outside water hose from freezing. I have done that in 15 degrees and it worked. Leave your gray tank valve open.
Pangaea_Ron
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
I usually fill the tank and then disconnect the white hose in freezing weather until the tank needs to be filled again. Many RV parks actually ask that you do this, including those with electric heat probes in their hose bibbs.
tandkj
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
Don't worry about heat tape just let the water drip all night.
sayoung
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
past-MIdirector wrote:
Camping World has just got in a new supply of heated water hoes. A little expensive but tested to -41. They start with a 12' hose at about $100 and price goes up with the longer hoses.

We have the CW 25 footer and wished I had not gone "cheapskate" and got the 50ft.Went to CW one cold morning while camping at Cedar Hill SP near Dallas and hose frozen.
Quit messing around with doityourself and get a good quality heated hose and enjoy the cold weather camping.
rvten
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
The pressure Reg. Is usually first thing to freeze.
One reason I install mine inside utility compartment.
moonlightrunner
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
Easyheat pipe tape on hose (NOT SPIRAL WRAPPED), poly tubular pipe insulation completely wrapped with Gorilla tape. I have about 2 ft of tape hanging out both ends of the hose. RV side wraps around connect. Supply pipe side wraps around the hose bibb fitting. The hose bibb gets a Reflectix envelope bungie corded closed if it is an above ground pipe and Reflectix stuffed around the hose bibb if it is one of the inground type of water connections. The little sensor kinda hangs. I've not noticed that it touching something mskes a big difference.
past-MIdirector
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
Camping World has just got in a new supply of heated water hoes. A little expensive but tested to -41. They start with a 12' hose at about $100 and price goes up with the longer hoses.
klm
Explorer
Nov 25, 2013
I am in freezing NJ right now, fulltimer like you. I use as short of a hose as possible - 10' - put heat tape along length - not wrapped around - secured with electrical tape, then covered with gray pipe insulation that is secured with good ol duct tape. Make sure your sensor for the heat tape is exposed to the outdoor temps. Are you sure the cg water supply is ok? I run the furnace and keep the wet bay blower on - pretty toasty in there. That's all I do, and manage fine - was 20 last night. I do keep the fresh tank full, better to have it than wish you had it -when you really need it :) Good luck and stay warm