Hello and thanks to all in advance!Next week we'll be leaving SoCal and heading up to Yellowstone. I've never camped in sub below freezing temperatures and wanted some pointers. I have plenty of propane, decent battery bank, and 200 watt's worth of solar. I also brought a Mr. Buddy space heater just in case. My main concern is water freezing in black/grey tanks. I bought RV antifreeze but not quite sure what to do? Should I just dump a few cups down each tank? Any advice would be truly appreciated, thanks and happy camping!

In my limited experience. The tanks wont freeze unless it is below freezing day and night for an extended period of time. It is the gate valves on the tanks that freeze so you can't dump.So you might try wrapping them in something to insulate them.When it happened to me. I headed west until it thawed.

Below freezing is one thing, sub below freezing must be really cold. The forecast I see is barely freezing.Keep the heat on, and no, putting a bit of RV AF in them won't help.

It only looks like it will get down to 32...even if it goes much lower your water tanks are not going to freeze as there is too much volume. Now your water lines may if near the outside of the TT, but with the furnace on and cabinet doors open that should not be a problem for the few hours below freezing. I would not worry about it or do anything special.

Try a cardboard box and 40-60 watt light bulb to keep your gate valves from freezing. A 40-60 watt bulb placed next to your pump should keep the strainer and pump head from freezing. Indoor fixtures should be fine as long as you keep the heat on.If you have a few of the old fashioned type personal heating pads, that don't have a safety shut off timer, those work great for temporary heat on the waste gates and pump head.

I don't do much different when RVing in those overnight temps as long as it gets to at least 40 degrees during the daytime. Just fill freshwater tank full and use water pump for any water demands. Have a great time at Yellowstone.

Traveling to Freezing Temperatures | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

Ivylog
Explorer III
Jun 04, 2017
It only looks like it will get down to 32...even if it goes much lower your water tanks are not going to freeze as there is too much volume. Now your water lines may if near the outside of the TT, but with the furnace on and cabinet doors open that should not be a problem for the few hours below freezing. I would not worry about it or do anything special.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2017
Below freezing is one thing, sub below freezing must be really cold. The forecast I see is barely freezing.

Keep the heat on, and no, putting a bit of RV AF in them won't help.
rbrand
Explorer
Jun 04, 2017
In my limited experience. The tanks wont freeze unless it is below freezing day and night for an extended period of time. It is the gate valves on the tanks that freeze so you can't dump.

So you might try wrapping them in something to insulate them.

When it happened to me. I headed west until it thawed.

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Traveling to Freezing Temperatures

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