Cold weather towing with water tank filled?

[CaptainYARRR]

Hey all,

I have a Forest River 30 WRS that I use to haul my Polaris RZR 1000. We will be going to the sand dunes in Oklahoma in December. I've noticed towing it with my Duramax that it sways less when I have water in the tank to balance out weight.

Since the tanks are exposed, I'm concerned about towing in freezing weather.

My initial thoughts are that I'll be moving and nothing should ice up from the movement. But, I'm new to this and would rather ask stupid questions than pay for it with my wallet later.

[CaptainYARRR]

Just saw this post and figured I should update on how the trip went.

Everything went well with the exception of my freshwater tank froze the first night. I hooked in to the city water connection and I was good for the rest of the weekend.

[Junket]

wanderingbob wrote:
Note To Junket , What are you doing taking an outside shower in 18 degrees , did ya keep your long johns on ?

That would be a site for sore eyes would not wish on anyone:E
Don,t care if the overhead temp says 20* and the antenna is the size of a nickle and singing its freezing some thing out in the wind.
Thanks Bob;)
Ken

[avoidcrowds]

I camp through the winter (for pheasant hunting in eastern Colorado). If I expect it to get below 20° overnight, I take the showerhead off my outside shower and run hot water into my fresh tank (fresh fill is next to shower). My fresh is 40 gal, and my water heater is 6 gal. Brings the fresh temp up, and have not had problems overnight. Normally gets over freezing during the day, so no problem there.

Shower has a non-freeze drain, so when I turn off the pressure, I can squeeze the handle, and water drains from the shower line.

The only problem I have had over the last 5 years was the gray drain freezing on. I now put vaseline on the cover and the gate, but it has not been cold enough to know if it works. Mild winters the last couple of years.

[rbpru]

My concern is not traveling but when stopped. If you stay for a few days then what happens.

We have camped overnight in 20 degree weather and things got a bit slushy through the pump.

There are ways around this but the point is to be careful.

[Bumpyroad]

sorry, should have said furnace. any flames, etc.
bumpy

[Huntindog]

Bumpyroad wrote:

Huntindog wrote:

CaptainYARRR wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
You can even run the furnace while under tow. I have done so when temps were in single digits.

I'm guessing that becomes an issue pulling in to gas stations?

Nope. Not for me.
Frozen water lines without the heater, or figure out how to deal with it. Your choice.

I don't think that shutting off the water heater for 10 minutes or so to refuel would cause the pipes to freeze. I always shut mine down even when way above freezing.
bumpy

We ar talking about the furnace, but that is close enough...
We have a winner!!

[Bumpyroad]

Huntindog wrote:

CaptainYARRR wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
You can even run the furnace while under tow. I have done so when temps were in single digits.

I'm guessing that becomes an issue pulling in to gas stations?

Nope. Not for me.
Frozen water lines without the heater, or figure out how to deal with it. Your choice.

I don't think that shutting off the water heater for 10 minutes or so to refuel would cause the pipes to freeze. I always shut mine down even when way above freezing.
bumpy

[Huntindog]

CaptainYARRR wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
You can even run the furnace while under tow. I have done so when temps were in single digits.

I'm guessing that becomes an issue pulling in to gas stations?

Nope. Not for me.
Frozen water lines without the heater, or figure out how to deal with it. Your choice.

[CaptainYARRR]

Huntindog wrote:
You can even run the furnace while under tow. I have done so when temps were in single digits.

I'm guessing that becomes an issue pulling in to gas stations?

[Community Alumni]

Bumpyroad wrote:

what is the setup on your rV? does any interior heat get to the tanks? I certainly would not want to chance keeping an unheated tank at 20 degrees for several days.
bumpy

That trailer didn't have heat down there, but temperature wasn't a steady 20 degrees either.

[wanderingbob]

Note To Junket , What are you doing taking an outside shower in 18 degrees , did ya keep your long johns on ?

[Bumpyroad]

proxim2020 wrote:
You would be fine. I've run for days through 20 degree temperatures with a half full tank, about 25 gallons, without freezing issues. It takes quite a while to freeze a full stationary tank and even longer for one that's constantly moving. If you have any unprotected connections or hoses then I would get some insulation on them.

what is the setup on your rV? does any interior heat get to the tanks? I certainly would not want to chance keeping an unheated tank at 20 degrees for several days.
bumpy

[Bmach]

I would think that the motion from driving would keep the tank from freezing, but what about the lines?

[Community Alumni]

You would be fine. I've run for days through 20 degree temperatures with a half full tank, about 25 gallons, without freezing issues. It takes quite a while to freeze a full stationary tank and even longer for one that's constantly moving. If you have any unprotected connections or hoses then I would get some insulation on them.