Freezing up while traveling in cold climates

[Mike Leary]

I've never had anything freeze going down the road. We've got a combination of Pex and copper in Bess, prolly frozen a few times, but thawed the next morning. We carry little ceramic heaters to keep both sides of the stern warm and run our big liquid radiators during the night, as well. In sub-freezing temps, there is no place to boondock, find a KOA and plug-in.

[MaxJ]

How long is the trip? Little heat packs like what's used for injuries won't stay hot for too long, maybe 30-45 minutes. I'm using an electric hot pack on my back, it could wrap around a few feet of pipe, gets pretty hot.

[Antique Pedaler]

This is an interesting thread in that we've never had anything in the trailer freeze while in motion with water aboard and the furnace off. We have the trailer warmed before we leave. We drive no more than 3 hours then stop and warm the trailer again. I got really concerned one time when we drove down into a river valley and the temp dipped to 5 degrees, but we stopped within an hour and still no freeze up.

[Beecavetx]

For a permanent fix, you might check into radiant floor heating...they sell it for trailers and I think it runs on 12 volt...does anyone know that for sure ??

[jdalrymple]

I never add antifreeze to my plumbing, I just use air and blow out the plumbing. A few times while traveling during very cold temps, (0-20F), I have carried a 12 volt air compressor and a blow out plug.

It does't take long to drain the low points and blow out the lines.

[TG Twinkie]

I have been in State Parks and had power to run the furnace. But still when the outside temp dropped to 16 above for 4 hours or so the line from the FW tank was frozen enough to prevent the pump from delivering water while the living space was quite comfortable. Not enough to cause any damage, just a minor inconvenience as it would thaw out after just an hour or so in the sun.
My objective is to eliminate the inconvenience.

[Whirlaway]

My RV tech suggests putting a cup of antifreeze in each trap after you add it to the lines.

If you travel and stop do you add more if you are not de-winterizing?

I am considering going from New England to Florida in the winter.

Any suggestions what you do or have done in the past?

[AirsDream]

I know a lot of folks who live up here in sub-zero freezing country and who tow down to Florida or Texas or Mexico in the winter. Without exception, they all do the "porta potty" or "luggable loo" and sponge bath routine during the couple of days it takes to get to warmer climes. They will run furnace (or use shore power if in a campground over night en route) during the night, and they just let the coach get cold while they're driving.

It's simple, easy, and best of all, relatively idiot proof. For my money - and since the idiot who usually tows my trailer (yours truly) often goofs, this just makes sense.