We have a motorhome and are wondering if we go camping in the snowy mountains could our pipes freeze and break
Posted: May 28th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Common Questions | Tags: break, Camping, could, freeze, Motorhome, mountains, pipes, snowy, wondering | 10 Comments »We haven’t done it before so we wanted to know if you wrap them or what? Should we even bother wrapping them? Thanks!
at the very least wrap them! if its below freezing anyplace that water sits can freeze. or they make electric heated pipe wrappings you can install
yeah wrap them
Yes, they can freeze and break, depending where they are located, how much heat from inside your motor home reaches them, how cold it is, and how long you leave it unattended . I once bought an RV that obviously had frozen pipes because it had dozens of leaks that needed to be fixed. These were all in PCV lines, not copper, and it was a huge pain tracking them down and repairing them, so don’t let it happen. I lived 2 winters in NH and a year in Alaska in that rig and never got any breaks because I insulated where I could and then wrapped the more vulnerable lines with electrical heat tape. I also installed a “feedback loop” of return lines with valves I could open that would continuously circulate my fresh water supply on really cold nights (well below zero), under the theory that moving water does not freeze as easily (that may have been overkill, but in Alaska I took no chances). In smaller spaces of a few cubic feet you can also use an incandescent light bulb on an extension cord (auto mechanics drop light) to keep pipes from freezing. Hope this helps some.
yes drain the lines and go. Get jug water use a non-water potty. You will still have heat and shelter and electricity. heat the water on the stove if you need hot water.
Winter camping can be very Quite/Peaceful/Beautiful
Happy Caving Carroll
Both types of motor homes exist – ones that are built for winter have everything with water on the “heated” side of the insulation. This is called a “winter package”. Take a peek underneath and see if the pipes are just hanging down. If so, follow the advice already given.
Don’t forget about the holding tanks. If they are exposed, they can freeze solid too.
Plan ahead for all contingencies, take extra food and fuel. Have fun though, it will be an adventure!
anything is possible, but a motorhome aint camping, thats a vacation… camping is sleeping on the hard cold ground with no bathing facilities and where you have to look farther than a cooler or fridge for dinner…
yes, definitely insulate them – no sense taking chances
yep motor homes are made for warmer climates,
Most definately pipes will freeze in cold weather. Any exposed pipe or drain can and will freeze if not warmed by heating tape or drained and treated with anti-freeze. There is special anti-freeze available for campers. These are non-toxic varities used for fresh water tanks and holding tanks. Best suggestion is to drain all tanks, fill them with the required amount of anti-freeze, and not use them during cold weather outings.
When I winterize my motorhome I don’t use the water system until spring. It isn’t worth the risk or worth the hassle of filling the system with antifreeze every time I use it in the winter.