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CampingN_C_'s avatar
CampingN_C_
Explorer
Mar 27, 2015

Below freezing advice

So our spring break trip to the mountains isn't going to be so 'springy'. Calling for record low's in the morning around 20 degrees! If we weren't going camping I'd probably re-winterize it. Under belly is not enclosed.
Should I be worried?

14 Replies

  • I've found that when using the TT in such temps, we tend to keep it warm enough for at least half the day that nothing ever freezes. And I use it in sub 20 weather.
  • I would open at night while you're sleeping any cabinets and any space where plumbing is located. What I worry about the most are those areas like outside showers, where the plumbing has no insulation between it and the outside air. You will probably be fine, but if your outside shower plumbing were to freeze and crack, it doesn't cost a lot of money to fix that.

    We were faced with the same cold weather here in central NC. This week is DS's spring break, so we planned to camp yesterday through Sunday with my parents at our local state park. My parents have a pop-up. With the forecast of rain and below freezing temps at night, we just canceled. I was bummed!

    Last year, we did the same trip on his spring break, though it was the first week of April last year. The weather then was awesome. It was like 80 or 85 every day, and not a rain drop for 4 days. Oh well, maybe next year.
  • An overnight low in the 20's may not freeze anything. A lot depends on exposure of the pipes, wind direction, duration, pressure of water in the pipes, incidental conductive heat from the trailer, and ambient temps. On the other six it may happen and there are somethings you can do to prevent it. The greatest danger is a supply line freezing and bursting. If you empty the supply pipes, it will help against that. Lamps put out a lot of heat. If you position them close to the critical areas, it will heat the pipes. Enclose the area so that the heat from the trailer helps maintain an above-freezing condition.

    I think you will probably be OK but your exact situation is unknown. It will take more than a few hours at below 25f or so to ice up a pressurized 1/2" pipe.
  • Not unless it will stay low temps for a while. I would fill the water tank and disconnect the water and drain hose until it warms up above 32 degrees. The more water you have in the tanks the longer it will take to freeze.