Learned a lot from traveling in sub freezing temp with unwinterized trailer

[Adventure.AS]

The fresh tank on a 16' Sport is inside the trailer under the front bench and is heated by the ambient air in the trailer. If the furnace is on it will circulate warm air and prevent the water tank and pump and pipes from freezing. Some other models like the 22 and 23 have the black tank in the cabin (the toilet sits up on the tank box.)

[billrector]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Why?
I'm thinking of adding a small ceramic heater for colder days and nights.

I guess everyone is different. We routinely let the temperature fall into the 50s at night and use a down comforter to stay very comfortable.

[VTSmitty]

Our thermostat minimum for below freezing nights is 55 degrees. Anything below that and I don't feel we are pumping enough heat to keep all the lines from freezing, and also we get excess condensation. We've camped as low as the teens, and while the dump valve will sometimes freeze overnight it usually thaws by mid day if the temps get above freezing. While a space heater might be OK for warming the trailer on cold but above freezing nights, when it's really cold I'd stick to the factory systems to ensure that all the right places get warmed.

Dan and Chris

[JamuJoe]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Why?

I'm thinking of adding a small ceramic heater for colder days and nights.

We've used small electric heaters - 3 in fact - rear bath, front bed and midships - for years in freezing weather. Keeps the coach much more comfortable. Just set the furnace thermo higher and adjust things so that the furnace does operate. Never a problem with our water system.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by VTSmitty

Our thermostat minimum for below freezing nights is 55 degrees. Anything below that and I don't feel we are pumping enough heat to keep all the lines from freezing, and also we get excess condensation. We've camped as low as the teens, and while the dump valve will sometimes freeze overnight it usually thaws by mid day if the temps get above freezing. While a space heater might be OK for warming the trailer on cold but above freezing nights, when it's really cold I'd stick to the factory systems to ensure that all the right places get warmed.

Dan and Chris

Here's my answer to using electric heaters while keeping the tanks warm:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f427...ase-74624.html

[Silverpuller]

Although they can occur at any time during the year, high winds can be a particular threat in the fall, winter, and spring months. Branches are cold, dormant, brittle, and may be heavy with ice or snow.

We learned, the hard way, to check out the condition of any trees that may be above the AS.

Late this fall, camped in Loveland, CO, under a grove of old trees, we suffered through a brief windstorm that left the park looking like a bomb had detonated. Very serious limb drops. Yup, we had one fall about 40’ and crash directly across our AS. There was/is damage, although we were fortunate in that our roof wasn’t pierced.

Also... Several years back, friends of our went winter camping at Yosemite. They had a large ice shard fall from a warming pine branch high above their trailer (not an AS), and it shattered one of the ceiling vent covers.

Bottom line: In addition to keeping your eyes on the thermometer, also keep them looking up to potential dangers above your rig.

[Silverpuller]

Falling limb damage.[emoji53]

[Atsushi]

Boy, the world is a dangerous place!

[rmkrum]

Yup. Although it’s tempting to pitch a tent or park a trailer under a shady tree, it’s best to stay well clear of ANY overhanging branches.

They don’t call them ‘widow makers’ for nothing. There have been several cases of tenters being killed or injured by falling branches as well.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by rmkrum

Yup. Although it’s tempting to pitch a tent or park a trailer under a shady tree, it’s best to stay well clear of ANY overhanging branches.

They don’t call them ‘widow makers’ for nothing. There have been several cases of tenters being killed or injured by falling branches as well.

That's a bit difficult in the forest. What is important, for a lot of outdoor skills reasons, is to develop a habit to regularly "look up".

[bka4tcu]

We traveled from Texas to Colorado over the holiday. We were winterized on the way up, but when we arrived at our destination, our tank valves would not open, frozen? I had a small ceramic heater that I placed under the trailer at the valves and let it run until the valves opened.

In the evening before bed, I drained the hot water heater into the gray tank and manually put hot water in the toilet/black tank. Nothing froze overnight while temps were in the mid teens.

A couple days into the trip I put some foam board insulation around the underside of the trailer as we were in one spot for 2 weeks, made a huge difference and freeze up was not an issue...for what its worth...

[AirstreamAbe]

Originally Posted by Adventure.AS

The fresh tank on a 16' Sport is inside the trailer under the front bench and is heated by the ambient air in the trailer. If the furnace is on it will circulate warm air and prevent the water tank and pump and pipes from freezing. Some other models like the 22 and 23 have the black tank in the cabin (the toilet sits up on the tank box.)

That part we understand , but what about the optional 12 Volt tank heaters. How many watts do they draw and when do you recommend using them (obviously while it's freezing out), for example during towing vs while parked, etc. Thanks.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by AirstreamAbe

... but what about the optional 12 Volt tank heaters. How many watts do they draw and when do you recommend using them (obviously while it's freezing out), for example during towing vs while parked, etc. Thanks.

eTrailer sells the Therma Heat RV tank heaters. According to the specs for the 18" x 12" model, they would likely only work when plugged in to shore power because they need an input of 13.5 volts and a fully charged house battery would only supply around 12.6+ volts.

• Input voltage: 13.5V DC
• Power draw: 4.8 amps
• Wattage: 78 watts

[AirstreamAbe]

That is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!!!

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by Adventure.AS

eTrailer sells the Therma Heat RV tank heaters. According to the specs for the 18" x 12" model, they would likely only work when plugged in to shore power because they need an input of 13.5 volts and a fully charged house battery would only supply around 12.6+ volts.

• Input voltage: 13.5V DC
• Power draw: 4.8 amps
• Wattage: 78 watts

Those are nominal maximum specifications for the heat pads, not minimums to operate them. They will still generate (slightly less) heat at lower input voltages, since they are a simple resistance heater.

They will, however, deplete batteries fairly quickly at that current, so it is best to have shore power to run the convertor to keep the batteries charged...

We have lived in our AS for extended periods camping in 26 degree or below weather, and reliable shore power is a must to run the propane forced air heater (big 12 volt draw), keep the tank heaters on, use the hot water heater, and run the water pump, etc. when the fresh water hose is disconnected because the exposed shore water hose freezes up rapidly at those temps. We won't talk about the Camco filter that froze fairly badly before I pulled it inside to thaw out. Fortunately it did not split, but it could have...after a few more hours sitting out in the cold and wind...

Except for running through lots of propane, we were quite comfortable for a week of those conditions in Northern Alabama...late into November...

[AirstreamAbe]

Did our first trip in the 16 foot Bambi sport this February / March. During the first week of our trip to temperatures dipped into the teens at night, and that does not include wind chill.
Did not use a ceramic heater. Had no need to. The propane heater was incredibly efficient, in 3 weeks we barely went through a whole propane tank. I do not understand how that is possible. Turns out that the regulator didn't hold up and ended up getting replaced under warranty. The only thing that froze once was the dump valve, and that was from road splash. That was a pretty minor issue. Overall we were extremely satisfied with our experience, and there will be many more winter trips to follow.