Forum Discussion

falconbrother's avatar
falconbrother
Explorer II
Dec 31, 2017

Avoiding freezing water hose..

Night before last we were in Myrtle Beach and it was cold..cold, cold. I got up in the middle of the night for a bathroom trip and no water. I got dressed and went outside, about 4am, and everything from the water inlet to the ground where the spigot is located was frozen solid. The inside of the RV was not frozen, for all the good it did. They say, leave the water dripping. But, what about the gray tank? Do you leave the valve open and risk that freezing as well or, risk over filling the gray tank? The valve for the gray tank was frozen shut as well.. The next day, late morning, I went out there with a hair dryer and got the water going again. By about 2pm the gray water handle started working.

So, what is the solution to keep the water flowing in freezing weather?
Seeking Advice
  • jerseyjim's avatar
    jerseyjim
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2017
    ONCE....in Demming, NM, did I get an overnight temp of 14 degrees. I kept a trickle of water (both hot and cold) running in the sinks (2) and the shower (1).
    Propane heater on....space heater aimed at the open kitchen cabinet doors
    Kept the grey water valve open...figuring a 1 nite overnite trickle would not fill the tank.
    It worked. Had my hot and cold water flow the next morning. And...apparently, the tank drained all nite. Nothing much in the sewer hose. Then...on to Phoenix.

    Lucky? Maybe. But that's my experience.
  • SDcampowneroper's avatar
    SDcampowneroper
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2017
    FLY 4 FUN wrote:
    Fill your onboard tank, disconnect and store hose and keep enough furnace heat to heated underbelly so tanks/lines don't freeze.
    Best! or a heated hose. Do not trickle, freeze up your 3" slinky!
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Dec 31, 2017
    YEP.........
    Use the fresh water tank & pump


    Refill tank during warmer daytime temps and then drain/stow hose until refill needed
  • rk911's avatar
    rk911
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2017
    presumng your tanks are heated when using the LP furnace.

    plan a:
    - fill your fresh tank, drain, disconnect and store your hose. live off of the tank.
    - place a lit 60-watt incandescent bulb in proximity to your water pump.

    plan b:
    - wrap your fresh hose, the connection and exposed pipe in heat tape.

    also...dump your gray and black tanks, drain, disconnect and store your hoses. we also open the cabinet doors under sinks which allows warm air to circulate there. close slide out rooms not necessary for use especially at night.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Dec 31, 2017
    Use on board water tank. Campsite water only to fill. Much safer.
  • FLY_4_FUN's avatar
    FLY_4_FUN
    Explorer
    Dec 31, 2017
    Fill your onboard tank, disconnect and store hose and keep enough furnace heat to heated underbelly so tanks/lines don't freeze.

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