Keeping our RV water system from freezing
Hey folks, we are about to be taking our 2009 Thor Jazz 2780BH into colder weather (Sunriver, OR) to do some skiing. I've been watching the weather for a few weeks and it typically gets into the singl...
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It sounds like you will have full hookups. I don't know if the campground water will be on at all the sites, I know someone at a campground in Paso Robles CA where it normally does not freeze and the hoses are exposed, did reach 26F and many hoses froze, because there was no provision for protecting them.
Here in Portland the winter I did spend in a RV park, the water hookup was under a 10X15" heavy plastic cover along with some wall insulation that was 15" wide and 3.5" thick. I would add water to my tank on warmer days, and drain at the same time. The coldest that winter was 26 overnight, but most days where above freezing. We can have 8-10" of snow, but winters like that are rare.
I might consider some 2" thick foam wall insulation, and as you have described it, it seems like there is a underbelly, and the tank is sitting directly on that, and the steel supports under the underbelly. Getting something in between would be impossible. But by cutting some 80" long boards to fit snugly between the steel supports (install only while parked and remove before moving) it might do the trick, and keep the tank above freezing. 2" is about R-19, and heat will stay above it.
If that is not practical, I have a bunch of 4' wide Reflextix insulation that I cut to length and hang from each window shade - mostly to keep it dark inside, but also to insulate my windows, and single pane front windshield. It is easy to cut, R-4 insulation, so it will slow the heat loss. By cutting some and gluing it to the underbelly, with contact cement, it should stay for the duration of your trip at least. Make sure to both glue and tape all the sides well, so air will not get under the edge and literately blow it off the tank. (imagine it inflating like a balloon)
As for keeping the tank from getting cold, you might want to rig up some tubing from a hot water connection to the tank inlet. They do sell a fitting that will replace your faucet bubbler, and has a garden hose fitting on it. Then you can use your 25' long fresh water hose to pump hot water into the fresh water tank. Fill it with 6 gallons about 4 times, and the tank water will become warm. Then it will not freeze overnight. Together with some insulation to keep the heat in, and you will be OK.
Good luck,
Fred.
Here in Portland the winter I did spend in a RV park, the water hookup was under a 10X15" heavy plastic cover along with some wall insulation that was 15" wide and 3.5" thick. I would add water to my tank on warmer days, and drain at the same time. The coldest that winter was 26 overnight, but most days where above freezing. We can have 8-10" of snow, but winters like that are rare.
I might consider some 2" thick foam wall insulation, and as you have described it, it seems like there is a underbelly, and the tank is sitting directly on that, and the steel supports under the underbelly. Getting something in between would be impossible. But by cutting some 80" long boards to fit snugly between the steel supports (install only while parked and remove before moving) it might do the trick, and keep the tank above freezing. 2" is about R-19, and heat will stay above it.
If that is not practical, I have a bunch of 4' wide Reflextix insulation that I cut to length and hang from each window shade - mostly to keep it dark inside, but also to insulate my windows, and single pane front windshield. It is easy to cut, R-4 insulation, so it will slow the heat loss. By cutting some and gluing it to the underbelly, with contact cement, it should stay for the duration of your trip at least. Make sure to both glue and tape all the sides well, so air will not get under the edge and literately blow it off the tank. (imagine it inflating like a balloon)
As for keeping the tank from getting cold, you might want to rig up some tubing from a hot water connection to the tank inlet. They do sell a fitting that will replace your faucet bubbler, and has a garden hose fitting on it. Then you can use your 25' long fresh water hose to pump hot water into the fresh water tank. Fill it with 6 gallons about 4 times, and the tank water will become warm. Then it will not freeze overnight. Together with some insulation to keep the heat in, and you will be OK.
Good luck,
Fred.
