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BulldawgFan's avatar
BulldawgFan
Explorer
Nov 28, 2014

possible frozen/cracked fresh water tank - thoughts

So we trucked the Coachman Catalina up to Illinois to visit the wife's family for Thanksgiving. Doing a little driveway camping.

So we filled fresh water tank, are plugged in so hot water heater is on, furnace running and set to 70. Maintaining temp great!

Today the temp didnt get above freezing, we were away all day and got baxk and temp outside is down to freaking 14 f.

Turned on pump and kitchen faucet...nada. pump wasn't pulling water. Turned heat up, opened cabinets, hour later, nada.

This morning fw tank was reading full. When water wasnt runnimg checked it it registered 2 lights. Checked again after heat was up for a bit...read empty.

Went out with flashlight and checked the fresh water lowpoint drain...icicles. hanging off. And my underbelly appears to have a slight bulge around the lowpoint as well.

So...thoughts?

I have turned off the pump, have all cabinets open, poired a gallon of rv antifreeze down drains, opened faucets.

Pf course I cant see anything because of enclosed underbelly.

It gets above freezing tomorrow, but only to around 35 and not till noon. Saturday is warmer and we head out that day back to Georgia. Damn Illinois weather.
  • dadmomh's avatar
    dadmomh
    Explorer
    Nov 30, 2014
    So, with that said, the OP is asking for help, not an English lesson.

    Agree that you cannot do anything with everything frozen. Suggest that if you haven't already headed home, when you do keep a very close eye on all the fittings inside cabinets, etc. Maybe invest in some plumbers tape or something to seal off any leaks until you can thoroughly check it out. You don't need a flood inside. You may be fine, you may have a puddle. Also, suggest you don't try the water pump until you get home. The temps here in West TN have been in the mid 60's and to continue a few more days....you're probably similar. Good luck with this....another one of those lessons learned the hard way. Sorry.
  • nomad297's avatar
    nomad297
    Explorer
    Nov 30, 2014
    beemerphile1 wrote:
    Have you ever noticed that adding the word "so" to the beginning of a sentence adds nothing to that sentence?


    Hahaha. That has always annoyed me -- almost as much as "with that said."

    Bruce
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Nov 30, 2014
    Nothing can be done until it thaws and you can inspect.

    Have you ever noticed that adding the word "so" to the beginning of a sentence adds nothing to that sentence?
  • NanciL's avatar
    NanciL
    Explorer II
    Nov 28, 2014
    My thoughts are you probably have more damage here and there.
    Don't worry about the Pex. It can freeze solid and won't crack, but I am guessing that more of your valves and fittings might be cracked.

    Lesson Learned !!!!

    Jack L
  • n7bsn's avatar
    n7bsn
    Explorer
    Nov 28, 2014
    A lot of rigs, even '4 season' ones, the fresh water tank is exposed and not "heated"
  • ksg5000's avatar
    ksg5000
    Explorer
    Nov 28, 2014
    Keep your fingers crossed. We are doing something similar but years ago we learned that when visiting relatives for Thanksgiving in "cold country" it's best to drain tanks, blow out the lines/winterize the rig and just carry jugs of water. Our rig isn't designed for winter and keeping interior temp warm won't prevent freeze issues with our exterior tanks.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Nov 28, 2014
    Well lets hope that when you get home everything has thawed out and is working again. I doubt the tank cracked, if anything did crack hopefully it's something simple like the low point drain valve.

    Fingers crossed for you.

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