Winter camping

[Arkguy29]

16 nitro xlr 305 th camper. We camped over night and temps were high 42 and low 19 this morning. Furnace set at 73 and using city water. Other people in campgrounds are using city water. Woke up this morning and water will not come on. I have the winter package and it has heated holding tanks. I did not turn it on bc I'm not using the fresh water. For now on should I use holding tanks and heat it.? I'm a new winter camp guy

[youroo]

Are you saying you are hooked to a Hose? Youroo!!

[Arkguy29]

Yes hooked to city water and the hose is froze along with the water spouts even at nearby campgrounds. We are doing a trial run b4 tackling a winter trip to pigeon forge. I was going to buy a heated hose for city connections but if the spout freezes I am assumin to use the holding tanks only.

[youroo]

Most people who use their units in the Freezing area of the USA dry camp or some use Stored water. Youroo!!

[RSchleder]

Turn your electric tank heaters on and leave them on in cold weather as they are thermostatically controlled . As for the hose. ALWAYS disconnect the hose from city water when camping in below freezing weather. Hopefully, you didn't break any water pipes in your RV as even with the enclosed underside, these units are designed for "cool" weather or short periods of freezing weather, not extended periods of COLD weather. In my opinion, you'll be fortunate to not have broken water pipes under your RV! Best of luck as things thaw out, my experience would suggest you'll need it.

[northstar1960]

Originally Posted by Arkguy29

Yes hooked to city water and the hose is froze along with the water spouts even at nearby campgrounds. We are doing a trial run b4 tackling a winter trip to pigeon forge. I was going to buy a heated hose for city connections but if the spout freezes I am assumin to use the holding tanks only.

They make a nice heated hose for below freezing use . it has heat tape built in . the only way to go for hook ups in clod weather . it's keep the water warm enough to prevent freezing at the hook up all the way to the camper . the warm water will also transfer heat past where it hooks to your Rv

[spock123]

I camp in Pigeon Forge in winter and the campground we park at tell us if it's below freezing to turn off the water and disconnect the hose. I have tank heaters on holding tanks. It just takes right much LP, I have to run the furnace to not only keep the camper warm but also all the pipes in the basement from freezing


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[Arkguy29]

After it warmed up it worked, no busted pipes. I filled holding tanks up and it worked too. I turned heater on just in case. Can u run heater tank if fest water is empty? I assume it heats all holding tanks, and I have heat at the elbow fittings.

[arpipeliner]

I would assume just pads on the tanks. Not even sure about fresh water tank being heated. Most of the time it will freeze up around pump or basement doors areas. Running furnace helps a lot.

If the CG doesn't have no freeze faucets your water supply is able to freeze with or with out hose taken loose. Heat tape and pipe insulation are good for the faucet.

Do what you want with heated hoses. Have two of the factory installed. Both worked good for a year. Made of good rubber. The first one finally busted after 6 years of use(full time). Heat tape the water hose been similar situations. If just a short trip and no freeze hydrant. Fill fresh water tank and hook up the hose during showers. If you don't drain the the hose and it freezes put in the shower with hot water to thaw.


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[Arkguy29]

Originally Posted by spock123

I camp in Pigeon Forge in winter and the campground we park at tell us if it's below freezing to turn off the water and disconnect the hose. I have tank heaters on holding tanks. It just takes right much LP, I have to run the furnace to not only keep the camper warm but also all the pipes in the basement from freezing


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What campground are u at? We are planing ours tonight and going to have a back up hotel plan incase bad weather and couldn't pull camper down. We plan on camping. Then driving to ober to ski and tube each day.

[mikel68]

I think most of us have been through something like this. Always disconnect. Empty you hose of water. We sometimes take our rv skiing at TAOS at spring break. Stay in town, it gets plenty cold.

[17Racer]

What I feel is really nice to have is an electronic temperature gauge. They come with a remote sensor and the one I bought was able to have 3 sensors. I have one simply outside and one on each side of the motorhome in the compartments that have the water piping/tanks. The temperature gauge has current/high/low readings. They cost less than $20 bucks and I sleep better knowing that I can tell how cold different areas are really getting. I think they are a great asset for winter camping.

[Wandering]

Snow coming this weekend. Thinking about camping just for the fun of it. DW thinks I'm nuts, she is usually right.

If I convince her, plan to dry camp, no water. Will head to a state park that has a heated bathroom. Dishes come home. Just plan to hike a bit and see if the heater can keep up.


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