Forum Discussion

mtnbbud's avatar
mtnbbud
Explorer II
Mar 13, 2020

Water freeze risk?

I am thinking of filling my water tank on my 1989 Terry Resort though I probably won't end up camping for a few weeks. I had winterized the trailer so all the lines are currently clear. The low temps in my area for the next four days are 32, 29, 29, then 36. Would I risk damage by freezing water, or would the likelihood of such a large volume of water freezing at that temperature be unlikely?

I figure at 32 degrees, I'd be fine if I was camping. I'm not sure though if the trailer isn't being used.
Seeking Advice
  • BarabooBob's avatar
    BarabooBob
    Explorer III
    Mar 15, 2020
    Depending on how the plumbing is run under your camper, you may risk freezing your water lines before you freeze the tanks. My TT is not a winter camper. The water lines run under the camper and would likely freeze way before the tanks. When camping in freezing weather, we drain all of the water from the fresh tank. We still use the black tank but flush the toilet with warm water from a jug instead of normal flushing. We have never had a problem with freezing the drain valves or the waste tank.
  • am1958's avatar
    am1958
    Explorer
    Mar 14, 2020
    Tyler0215 wrote:
    Why fill your water tank a few weeks before you leave? Fill before you go, no problem, no worry.


    Pssst... Coronavirus... ;-)
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Mar 13, 2020
    TO Some extent it depends on how well insulated the tanks are both Tank to outside and Tank to inside. On my Class A I have a 3-sensor remote Thermometer (4 total the the is "local" or room temp)
    Sensor 1 is inside the fridge
    Sensor 2 is attached to the propane tank.. out of the sun but well ventelated
    Sensor 3 is on top of the fresh water tank.

    In cold weather since as you describe 3 is 5-10 degrees above 2.. all night long.
  • Tyler0215's avatar
    Tyler0215
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2020
    Why fill your water tank a few weeks before you leave? Fill before you go, no problem, no worry.
  • kellem's avatar
    kellem
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2020
    Several years ago I forgot to dump the grey tank which was close to half full.
    It remained that way well into the winter and much colder temps than you mentioned....froze but never busted.

    I'm guessing half full left room for expansion.
  • mtnbbud's avatar
    mtnbbud
    Explorer II
    Mar 13, 2020
    Thanks@ Thst exactly what I am thinking. I just want to be sure. I also figure there won't be any water in the lines until I run the pump and I'd assume water freezing in the lines would be my biggest worry. I'd expect even if a little water freexes in the tank, it have to freeze fairly solid to damage the tank?
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2020
    You should not have a problem. Takes many hours of below freezing to create problems and most of those problems are associated with toilet valves which are fragile not the FW tank. I live in Portland and blow out my water lines during winter but usually maintain water in FW tank for emergency purposes ... never had a problem.
  • ppine's avatar
    ppine
    Explorer II
    Mar 13, 2020
    Don't fill your tank until you are ready to use it.
    A full water tank is a large mass which will not freeze until well below freezing for an extended period.
  • Fizz's avatar
    Fizz
    Explorer
    Mar 13, 2020
    Sorry but that isn't really "freezing" weather.
    The dealer told me they don't worry unless the forecast calls for 10 bellow freezing for three days.
    Your trailer hold enough heat to slow down the freezing.

    Many will argue this so it comes down to your pucker factor.

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