Traveling to Freezing Temperatures

[er78mph]

Hello and thanks to all in advance!

Next week we'll be leaving SoCal and heading up to Yellowstone. I've never camped in sub below freezing temperatures and wanted some pointers. I have plenty of propane, decent battery bank, and 200 watt's worth of solar. I also brought a Mr. Buddy space heater just in case. My main concern is water freezing in black/grey tanks. I bought RV antifreeze but not quite sure what to do? Should I just dump a few cups down each tank? Any advice would be truly appreciated, thanks and happy camping!

[er78mph]

Thanks for all the feedback, definitely decreases anxiety. The bottom of the trailer is enclosed. We'll be in Zion for a couple days and the forecast remains HOT! We'll be hiking the river so that will cool us off a bit. Thanks to all that responded!

[Grit_dog]

Just looked at the forecast. You'll be fine. 70s during the day! It's summertime. Few hours of chilly weather won't freeze anything, if it happens to get below freezing at all.

Enjoy the trip! Lots more wildlife to see when it's not crowded....

[JimK-NY]

I have spent plenty of time camping in below freezing weather and I have never had any issues or taken any special precautions. That all changes when you camp in temperatures below 20 degrees or so. At that point you need to be concerned about exposed tanks and water sources.

[1320Fastback]

I'm just south of Yellowstone in Colter right now and while I know a week is a long time for weather to change today we spent the day at the lake in 83 degree sunshine!

It hasn't been below freezing here since I've been here but if it were I'd simply shut off the city water in the evening and live off of fresh tank water.

Be careful passing thru St.George if that is on your route. It was and has been very hot there, hot enough without the water heater after a day of driving the water was warm.

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Does the campground you are going to in Yellowstone have power?

Is the bottom of the Rv enclosed?

I would not expect to have to take extraordinary measures at this time of year for where you are headed.

[Artum_Snowbird]

Your outside shower if you have one can be a very vulnerable spot. Be sure the taps are off and the hose is drained or taken off completely. Do not connect to the water tap overnight. Just fill your tanks and use your pump.

We camped in plus 8 F and our fresh water got a bit slushy.

[time2roll]

How cold is cold? Most RVs are fine to about 25 while in use.
Check propane every day.... before the propane supplier closes.

[er78mph]

Below freezing I meant, must be all those discovery channel survival shows! Thanks all for the valuable feedback!

[Sandia_Man]

I don't do much different when RVing in those overnight temps as long as it gets to at least 40 degrees during the daytime. Just fill freshwater tank full and use water pump for any water demands. Have a great time at Yellowstone.

[GordonThree]

Try a cardboard box and 40-60 watt light bulb to keep your gate valves from freezing. A 40-60 watt bulb placed next to your pump should keep the strainer and pump head from freezing. Indoor fixtures should be fine as long as you keep the heat on.

If you have a few of the old fashioned type personal heating pads, that don't have a safety shut off timer, those work great for temporary heat on the waste gates and pump head.

[Ivylog]

It only looks like it will get down to 32...even if it goes much lower your water tanks are not going to freeze as there is too much volume. Now your water lines may if near the outside of the TT, but with the furnace on and cabinet doors open that should not be a problem for the few hours below freezing. I would not worry about it or do anything special.

[2oldman]

Below freezing is one thing, sub below freezing must be really cold. The forecast I see is barely freezing.

Keep the heat on, and no, putting a bit of RV AF in them won't help.

[rbrand]

In my limited experience. The tanks wont freeze unless it is below freezing day and night for an extended period of time. It is the gate valves on the tanks that freeze so you can't dump.

So you might try wrapping them in something to insulate them.

When it happened to me. I headed west until it thawed.