Cold Weather use of RV

Question

My wife and I bought our first RV this past summer. We have used it a few times and are wanting to use it during the winter months as well. It is a Freedom Elite (Class C) unit and has tank heaters on the grey and black water tanks. The fresh water tank is under the rear bed area. This summer we also built a shop with a bay for the RV to be housed. I installed full hookups at the end of the shed (although they are on the outside area where I park during the summer.

My question is this: Can I safely use the RV including water hookups if I keep the incoming water hose from freezing? I have relatives who are coming in for the holidays and would like to use the RV as an extra sleeping quarters. Low temperatures are forecast to be around 15 degrees F with highs reaching near the freezing mark during that time with intermittent highs around 40 degrees.

genecop · Answer

Yes, but you need to keep the water hose from freezing and the water source....the safest bet is to fill the tanks then disconnect the hose and pull off the water storage tank....

dave17352 · Answer

GENECOP wrote:Yes, but you need to keep the water hose from freezing and the water source....the safest bet is to fill the tanks then disconnect the hose and pull off the water storage tank....X2 super easy this way.  Make sure you have a little water in tanks before you turn on your tank heaters. Maybe 5 gallons per tank.  Otherwise its claimed you could cause problems for you heaters or your tanks if they are dry. I have company coming this weekend.  In fact lots of company (wedding) I am using both my TC and 5th wheel for lodging and will be running off the fresh water tanks in both and also using my tank heaters on my 5th wheel.

calamus · Answer

I use mine for work and am often out in the early spring. I carry 110v heat tape with me and wrap the hydrant and my hose. I have had a few freeze ups but just on cold mornings I would leave the faucet run just a bit to keep the water moving. below 0. The shorter the garden hose the better.Make sure you have plenty of propane so the camper itself stays warm and doesnt freeze. The faucets always seem to break first. I have a friend that goes to every home Cornhuskers football game with a MH and when its cold (freezing temps) he fills his fresh water tank with the pink antifreeze for flushing the toilet.Then bottled water for everything else.I have not tried it but other than cost I would think it would work fine.

pianotuna · Answer

Hi,At 15 f (~-26 C) it would be easier to use the onboard water tank. You may wish to protect the fridge as well, if it will be in use.I added a fan to replace the cold air return grill for the furnace. This, fortuitously, pushes some air through the duct work and helps prevent freeze ups while heating electrically.

bobsyouruncle · Answer

I'm currently working away from home, living in my 27'TT. Calgary Alberta area.

Current temperature is about minus 18C or 0F. Expected to see minus 24C / -11F by tomorrow morning.

It is a challenge and I'm going through a lot of propane, but so far so good. I keep the temperature a bit higher than I usually would to help keep pipes from freezing. I have had 3 temporary freezups behind the kitchen lower cabinets but was able to fix that up easily.

It can be done but a few precautions need to be taken.
Your windows will ice up on the inside.
I have a heat tape around my dump pipes and gate valves.

As mentioned, fill the fresh water and don't try the water hookup route.

Good luck!

Forum Discussion

Cold Weather use of RV

6 Replies

About Technical Issues

Related Content

Cold Weather Camping

Cold weather, generators, and campgrounds

Cold-ish weather camping

cold weather woo's

hydraulics in cold weather