Arctic Package Question

[Gene_M]

Greetings all.
We purchased a 2018 Forester 2291SF this past October and I am interested to know: can/should I leave the tank heaters on while parked next to the house and plugged in? Any benefit to doing this?
I am in upstate NY and it can get down to 0 or lower for days at a time.

Also would like to know if this package protects any of the associated plumbing, or if the furnace needs to be running to take care of the elbows, dump valves, etc.

Oh, one other thing, I noticed that the black and grey tank heater pads are sagging away from the bottom surface (this may preclude my using the tank heaters at all). Anyone else have this problem? I spoke with a warranty rep at FR and am awaiting direction.


Thanks all, and Happy Camping!

[5picker]

If you are going to have it parked with no plans of going out within a few days, you need to winterize your unit.

[Gene_M]

Originally Posted by 5picker

If you are going to have it parked with no plans of going out within a few days, you need to winterize your unit.

Thanks.
The unit is winterized, I was thinking that perhaps the heat elements would add another measure of protection against the freezing cold.

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Gene_M

Thanks.
The unit is winterized, I was thinking that perhaps the heat elements would add another measure of protection against the freezing cold.

No need if properly winterized. The heating pads are for when it it isn't winterized.

BTW... the pads should be firmly attached to the tank surface for optimum efficiency, not sagging.

[Gene_M]

Thanks for the reply.
I am sure the FR rep will help me get that resolved.

[Tombsy]

I thought somewhere I read to not use the tank heaters if the tanks are empty. The pads are just held on with double sided tape, I had to reattach part of mine.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Tombsy

I thought somewhere I read to not use the tank heaters if the tanks are empty. The pads are just held on with double sided tape, I had to reattach part of mine.

True.
Tanks have room for water to expand.
So a small amount of liquid isn't a problem.
As long as you dump the tanks, they should be fine.
It's the water lines that don't have for water to expand.