Camping Below Freezing Temps - Preparations?

[azpopup17]

It looks like we may have a below freezing night at Yellowstone in a couple of days.  Do you need to keep water flowing to avoid line freezing?  Do you need to go to the extreme of draining the water system for the night?  What are some of your experiences with this scenario?  

Thanks for the info.

[beacher]

When I camp in freezing weather I simply drain out the water tank and blow out the lines with compressed air, (at the water heater drain valve).  I open up each faucet one at a time to get out all the water.

I'll then use the water system during the day if the weather gets warmer for showers and the galley sink, and drain it again before it gets dark.  It only take a few minutes if you install a simple ball valve to easily drain the water tank.

I use only bottled water if I expect to be in freezing temps for the whole stay, or If don't want to bother draining the system after using it.

[ForestCreature]

I camped in 15 degree nights,kept the heat on @55- 60 at night. All our water lines are inside, nont exposed to the wind etc., nothing froze.

When it gats to be late fall, befor we winterize temps get blow freezing. Long as it's not for extended periods you should be ok...remember those lows ususly hit close to morning.

[AustinBoston]

If:

* it's only getting below freezing at night, and
* you have the heat on in the pop-up

OR:

* it's not going below about 28 degrees at night and
* it's not windy at night

Then you don't need to do anything.  It takes time for the lines to freeze.  Under the camper, it won't even get to freezing unless it's really cold (like below 25 degrees) and the heat is off.  Even at 25 degrees F, it would take all night for the lines to freeze, and by then the sun is up and it's warming up...

If it will be below freezing all day, then you need to protect the system (remove all water or add RV antifreeze).

Austin

[flyfisherman]

Don't think your going to be running into anything like a hard freeze, where the temp drops down to below freezing, say like 25, and stays that way for a time. Inside, the camper is going to retain some heat, and it's just going to take some serious cold to do any damage. Earlier this season (back in March), we encountered a cold front that followed a really gully washing rain and it dropped down below freezing for two nights ~ warming to maybe 45 during the day ~ a cup left out on the picnic table with some water in it did freeze over but the water on the inside of the camper, no problem.



Fly

['tiredTeacher]

It looks like we may have a below freezing night at Yellowstone in a couple of days.  Do you need to keep water flowing to avoid line freezing?  Do you need to go to the extreme of draining the water system for the night?  What are some of your experiences with this scenario?  

Thanks for the info.

Water flowing? I guess you mean you'll have hook ups. I agree with most of what has been said and will add - disconnect and drain your supply hose if temps will be in the 20s overnight.

[azpopup17]

It looks like it will be below freezing for just one night.  We will have hook ups at Flagg Ranch.  I was thinking it would be best to disconnect the water line and purge the lines for the night.

[tlhdoc]

It looks like it will be below freezing for just one night. We will have hook ups at Flagg Ranch. I was thinking it would be best to disconnect the water line and purge the lines for the night.

You don't need to if you will have heat in the PU.  We camp all year long in the PU and you don't need to worry about the lines freezing unless it is going to get very cold.  If you have full hookups and would feel better letting the faucet drip then do it.  Have a great time on your trip.

[sacrawf]

While camping during the Easter Weekend Freeze in far Southern Indiana this spring, my grey water discharge hose and the feed from the tank to where it feeds into the camper itself froze enough to stop the water flow.  The short grey water hose was quickly removed and warmed in the shower house, but it took a few minutes with my wife's hair dryer to get the fresh water feed thawed out.

[aw738]

Posted by azpopup17 - Yesterday at 09:57 PM
It looks like we may have a below freezing night at Yellowstone in a couple of days. Do you need to keep water flowing to avoid line freezing? Do you need to go to the extreme of draining the water system for the night? What are some of your experiences with this scenario?
 

Posted by tlhdoc - Today at 03:56 PM
You don't need to if you will have heat in the PU. We camp all year long in the PU and you don't need to worry about the lines freezing unless it is going to get very cold. If you have full hookups and would feel better letting the faucet drip then do it. Have a great time on your trip.

I've often wondered about letting the water run. Don't waterfalls freeze?

[AustinBoston]

I've often wondered about letting the water run. Don't waterfalls freeze?

No.

Some waterfalls will accumulate ice around them until they are completely covered, but they will not freeze solid.  Some rivers in very cold areas may freeze, but then any waterfall fed by the river would go dry, not freeze.

There are two primary reason moving water does not easily freeze.

The first is that a lot more energy needs to be removed from the water to freeze it than to cool it off (but this is true of all water).  The second is that gravity is constantly feeding energy to the water as it runs downhill.
 
Austin

[ScoobyDoo]

Conecting a hose can defeat the freeze-proof on a hydrant, disconect the hose before going to bed. I fill the coffeepot and  jug so if water doesn't work when I first get up it is not a jump up and fix it.
  Most time I camp when it may freeze the state has the water off in the park, including bath house, so we use the tank. I hang a drop-lite on the line that is under the floor, never had trouble.