Hi. We have a 2003 bayside. We are planning some winter/cold weather trips. Since there is only a holding tank(fresh water), and no grey/black tank it makes it simpler. I know i will have to antifreeze the system when we are not using it, but what about when we will? Can a person use heat tape on the tank? will the underbody, being exposed freeze water lines? or the pump? should i consider insulating and covering the underneath? Or am I better off just storing it over the cold months to be safe? thanks in advance
ryan of " colenry"
colenryDepends how cold?
There is no insulation anyplace, so if your talking about much below 32 it probably freeze. Unless you want to heat tape the tank and all the pipes.
You could still use the PU, but dont use the water system.
colenryYup, you just don t use the tank or the sink drain for that matter. While the drain won t freeze inside the trailer as soon as it exits expect an ice plug every night it goes below freezing. Much easier to just use jugs (we ve got 5 gallon ones with legs on the sides and a spout so they sit easily on the counter) and a dish pan.
One thing that everyone forgets about till they experience it is that the PU floor has zero insulation value. Quite a shock to have the furnace running and it being 60 degrees in the PU and having your boots frozen to the floor.
colenryThe good thing about this is there usually is not a line in the bathroom when it is cold so do as much as you can there and leave all the water systems winterized. Bring bottled water as the water at most campgrounds will be shut off as well.
colenryWe winter camp here in Texas and do have freezing temps after dark. In our area, you can get away with leaving water system hooked up as temps don t get way bellow freezing and warm through the day. Just don t feel it s worth the risk.
To save the worry, we winterize the water system and don t use it during this period. Just get water from the outside tap and store it in small quantities (!/2 gallon container) inside PU. Works for us.
colenryI have used the drain, but don t use the rest of the water system. I just keep a jug of water and run it down the drain as needed. Before we pop down I pour more antifreeze down the drain so that it is rewinterized.