orggardn
columbia, tn
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There is a fair chance we will need to take our camper to MIL's house for some extra beds at Christmas. In southern KY, the temps could range from 20's to 60s' for highs, so I have to plan for most anything. We plan to not open the bunks and just use the dinette and side bunk. With the furnace and ceramic heaters, I don't think keeping warm will be an issue.
I would like to be able to use the shower, toliet, and kitchen sink (for morning coffee). What problems should I anticpate? How cold would it need to before I start having problems? What precautions can I take to avoid them?
I've got some time to take some action. Thought I'd ask you guys that camp out a LOT further north than I venture.
Thanks.
Me,"The" Woman, 3 young'uns, & the dawg
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Chuck&Gail
In the Colorado Mountains
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If temps stay below freezing for many hours, you need to worry about waste tanks and pipes. IMO look at stuff from Ultra Heat, just Google them. I've been real happy with their stuff.
Chuck
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Rolling Condo
South Carolina
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Here is a link to a thread similar to the information you seek HERE. My posting has several links that will give you some imformation.
In addition, since you have a hybrid a few additional items for consideration. Foam insulation panel 4x8 sheet from Lowe's or Home Depot store can be easily cut to fit under the bunk end mattresses. Reflectix can be easily cut to fit in the window panels of the bunk ends and PopUpGizmos can be added for insulation over the bunk ends.
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Bob Shaw
Newnan Ga
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JMHO, if you leave some heat on in the trailer, you're probably ok into the 20's as long as it warms-up to the 50's or 60's during the day. But if it gets too cold, stays cold too long, or doesn't warm up enough during the day, you could have a problem. When we went camping over New Years a couple of years ago, it went to 17 deg overnight with a stiff wind off of the lake. When people went to leave in the morning, their dump valves were frozen. I had tank heaters, so, I didn't have any problems, except for the long line at the dump station.
Be sure to disconnect your water hose if the temp is going below freezing overnight. It will freeze, and you could split the fittings where it goes into your trailer, or the fauscet.
Something else to think about, where and when are you going to dump? If you don't get that stuff out of there, you're just increasing your risk of a problem. Don't forget to re-winterize, either before you leave for home or when you get home.
Have fun. We like to winter camp, some. When it gets too cold, we head south.
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Oasisbob
Portland Oregon 97266
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No worries. We often camp in sub freezing. Temps you listed should not be an issue. We have never had sewage tanks freeze and a little heat will spare your inside pipes. A remote chance shower trap could freeze if temps do not warm above freezing during the day. Pour a small amount of RV anti freeze in the trap. Just not a big deal for us anyway. Merry CHRISTmas.
Oasis Bob
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Chuck_S
Broadview Hts, OH, USA
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I'm not sure where the waste water is going to go after your shower. The tanks are only so big and showers use a lot of it.
The fresh water inlet can freeze, it's just water hose. Years ago I had a house trailer and there was heat tape sold for both the water inlet and sewer pipes. Sub-zero F° in Wisconsin that winter so the heated pipes were necessary.
We have tank heaters on our waste tanks. But I lack heat tape for the fresh water inlet.
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kknowlton
Wisconsin Border Country, IL
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I'd recommend you scout out where you can dump your tanks after your stay. If CGs are closed, so will their dump stations be, most likely, but there may be some other places that have dump stations (for a fee).
I agree, showers will fill up your gray water tank very quickly!
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weathershak
Delaware
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If I am reading your post right, "temps can range from the 20's to 60's for highs", well, if you have days with highs in the 20's and assuming lows colder than that, there will be some issues. The outside shower would freeze, low point drains would freeze and the drain pipes for the waste tanks would freeze up before the contents inside the tanks would. I would use your fresh water tank, if it is inside the HTT, pack insulation around low point drains and outdoor shower(or install shutoff valves to shower and drain it) and wrap heat tape and insulation around the waste tank drains. Keep the heat on and hot water heater on. Bring alot of towels to wipe down condensation off the windows and walls. When we had our Orbit Htt, we camped turtled up a couple of times and came across those problems during our winter travels. Not to discourage you, just plan for the worst. Your outside guests will have a blast. Now you've got to have a campfire to go along with the fun. Best of luck to you.
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nny12972
NY
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I would definitely add 3/4" or 1" DOW foam board (NOT the blue or white junk) under bunk matresses for added wall insulation---it helps whether using them or not.
If you "economize" with water useage, you should be OK....I wouldn't use the city FW hookup---just gravity fill....
....start your tanks nearly empty with a little pink stuff---and before you use any water, open GW drain valve and let some pink stuff inside the final drain line & cap....if it stays below freezing, add more pink stuff to tanks....
....suggest you also check your interior coach water line locations....do what you can to insulate them from walls & floor---but don't wrap them...leave cabinets and interior access panels open a bit to allow heat inside when/if outside temp stays below freezing...before you crash, add a little pink stuff to the shower trap, too---it's one of the first places to freeze if it stays below freezing...
....unless there's an Arctic outbreak, I can't imagine TN getting and staying cold enough to cause you problems---other than interior window condensation---take old towels for that.....there are MANY other mods to accommodate regular sub-freezing temps, but it sure doesn't sound like you need that for a one-time run...
J
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orggardn
columbia, tn
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Thanks all for the suggestions. I have 2 of the ceramic heaters and will run at least one during the day to stave off any cold spells we might have. It is very unusual for day time temps to remain below freezing.
On adding the Reflectix, we will not likely open the bunks (unless there is a really warm period). So cocooning will likely produce extra condensation.
I had not thought of disconnecting the fresh hose during the night (especially if hard freeze expected). I think keeping the cabinets open will help with the interior pipes. We have an electric HW heater so it can go on and stay on, once we arrive.
There is both a KOA and a Flying J near where we will be camping. I think both offer year round dump facilities, but will confirm.
I looked at some of the tank heater add-ons. Just way too much to spend for the once every 2-3 years we might use it. What about a temporary add of some water pipe heaters? Any place in particular I would want to add one?
Thanks again.
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