How long and cold before line freezing problems?

bob_nestor wrote:
I've camped in my RV a number of times when the temps got down into the 20's and even sometimes into the teens without any problems, although it's not something I enjoyed and I did worry about freezing water lines. Obviously where the water and holding tanks are and where the lines are run and how well everything is insulated or protected plays a big part in this.

For me a general rule of thumb is it's usually safe unless you're facing a hard freeze which is defined as "four consecutive hours below 25F" by the NWS. Most plants survive light frosts and freezing temps that don't meet this definition.

Camping with the furnace on is drastically different from an unused RV with no heat on.

I wouldn't count on residual heat from the day doing much of anything, particularly in the storage compartments.

Mid to upper 20's is marginal. Good chance it's OK but no guarantees.

I've camped in my RV a number of times when the temps got down into the 20's and even sometimes into the teens without any problems, although it's not something I enjoyed and I did worry about freezing water lines. Obviously where the water and holding tanks are and where the lines are run and how well everything is insulated or protected plays a big part in this.

For me a general rule of thumb is it's usually safe unless you're facing a hard freeze which is defined as "four consecutive hours below 25F" by the NWS. Most plants survive light frosts and freezing temps that don't meet this definition.

You said the hose was still hooked up, but the water off. Did you drain the hose? If not, it may split even with relatively mild freezes. You may have been lucky but I would get up to the unit soon and winterize.

I know some friends- all loaded up and ready to head South...the night before departure, it got into the 20's and they had several water breaks.

I'd get it winterized ASAP. The fact it is a '4 season' rig really does not mean much. Utility bays have marginal insulation (doors are thin and the bay itself is usually blow-molded plastic) and '4 season' assumes you will be in it with the heat on. This keeps things like the utility bays from freezing by means of heat ducted into them. If the camper is sitting unattended with the heat off, true, the living quarters will hold heat for some time from the better insulation but without the furnace running, the utility bays will track the outside temperature pretty close. Trying to replace broken fittings back in the undersides is no fun. Your hose being attached with the camper unattended is another no-no. If it was in the 20's, it's very likely it has frozen. You'll be lucky if the outside hose connection has not been damaged. Even an occupied camper would need the water running at a trickle to prevent freezing or better yet, a heated hose.

I also think your RV should be fine in the weather you've been having. It's (comparatively) well insulated, a little bit like a picnic cooler just operating in the opposite direction, keeping the cold out and the warm in.

I'd be more worried about the spigot the hose is attached to, and even there I don't think the chances of damage are great.

And, as others have suggested, you don't want to put off winterizing too long.

Hi... I think the unit is okay under conditions you outline. However, it is now time to get ready for stained cold weather 30 during the day and 20 at night. Drain now. Put RV. Antifreeze in the system. Why risk broken water lines . It a real mess to fix. Jim2007.

I would start to worry when the temps drop below 35. Thats when the snow symbol appears on my cars temp gage

My rigs not a 4 season and I expect it would do fine exposed to 5 hours of the weather your talking about. Doubt you have any issues.

Don't forget, the unit, especially if it's a four season unit, will be a lot warmer inside than the ambient outside temperature because of daytime heating.

12 plus hours of 30 deg above freezing (daytime) will create a lot more heat than 5 or 6 hours of near freezing will cold. On top of that the contents, right down to cabinets and furniture will absorb that heat and slowly release it back into the interior as temps drop.

I think you'll be fine.

As a future tip though, if you have to leave it in cooler weather like that again, be sure to leave all the cabinet doors open, it allows the heat to easier penetrate the interior spaces nearest the plumbing.