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Old 09-22-2022, 11:27 AM   #1
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Underbelly Heater

Hi all,
Can anyone explain how the underbelly works? Is it separate from the heater/ac thermostat? Does it automatically keep plumbing from freezing?
Thank you
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Old 09-22-2022, 11:30 AM   #2
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Hi all,
Can anyone explain how the underbelly works? Is it separate from the heater/ac thermostat? Does it automatically keep plumbing from freezing?
Thank you
No ! heated tanks will not stop water lines from freezing . having a furnace that has a duct in the underbelly may help but the furnace will need to run almost nonstop if outside temps are below freezing . once in inside is up to temp the furnace shuts off the underbelly is not so well insulated and will cool off very fast . I would not trust it if in below freezing temps 24/7 . over night might be fine .
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Old 09-22-2022, 11:33 AM   #3
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Hi all,
Can anyone explain how the underbelly works? Is it separate from the heater/ac thermostat? Does it automatically keep plumbing from freezing?
Thank you
What RV, not all are the same?

Some just have heating pads and tape on tanks and key points, some duct the furnace heat into the underbelly space or part of it, some do both, some have supplemental heating units for key areas.
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Old 09-22-2022, 11:37 AM   #4
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Hi all,

Can anyone explain how the underbelly works? Is it separate from the heater/ac thermostat? Does it automatically keep plumbing from freezing?

Thank you
It would help if you posted what year, make and model number of RV you're asking about. Or put that information in your profile or signature.

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Old 09-22-2022, 11:39 AM   #5
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There really isn't an actual underbelly heater. You may have heated tanks, which is simply a heating pad under the fresh.grey and black tanks but it has no impact on the plumbing. The referenced heated under belly is simply a small heat vent blowing hot air into the underbelly space. It only heats when the furnace is running and quickly looses heat once it shuts off. It does nothing if you run an aux electric heater. In addition it only provides some heat to the plumbing inside the underbelly, drains and dump valves sticking out under the underbelly covering are not protected at all.
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Old 09-22-2022, 12:03 PM   #6
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There really isn't an actual underbelly heater. You may have heated tanks, which is simply a heating pad under the fresh.grey and black tanks but it has no impact on the plumbing. The referenced heated under belly is simply a small heat vent blowing hot air into the underbelly space. It only heats when the furnace is running and quickly looses heat once it shuts off. It does nothing if you run an aux electric heater. In addition it only provides some heat to the plumbing inside the underbelly, drains and dump valves sticking out under the underbelly covering are not protected at all.
Some RVS do indeed have additional heating added in the wet bay which operated independent of the furnace. Some also have the valves all inside heated space as well to keep them protected.
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Old 09-22-2022, 12:15 PM   #7
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Thanks all!
So, if camping in temps below freezing the furnace would need to run almost constantly to protect the plumbing?
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Old 09-22-2022, 12:34 PM   #8
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Thanks all!
So, if camping in temps below freezing the furnace would need to run almost constantly to protect the plumbing?
No, that is not necessarily true. Unless it is well below 0 running the furnace to keep the occupants comfortable will be sufficient to protect the plumbing assuming it is a 4 season rig (and if it wasn't it probably wouldn't have any heat ducted to the underbelly).
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Old 09-22-2022, 12:59 PM   #9
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No, that is not necessarily true. Unless it is well below 0 running the furnace to keep the occupants comfortable will be sufficient to protect the plumbing assuming it is a 4 season rig (and if it wasn't it probably wouldn't have any heat ducted to the underbelly).
Be careful implying units are 4-season capable just because they have a furnace duct running through the floor. My Wildcat has such a duct and it is NOT a 4-season trailer.
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Old 09-22-2022, 01:20 PM   #10
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Be careful implying units are 4-season capable just because they have a furnace duct running through the floor. My Wildcat has such a duct and it is NOT a 4-season trailer.
I pretty clearly specified it would work if it was a 4 season unit and that typically non 4 season units don't bother to heat that space, never said that if it heats the space it is 4 season capable.
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Old 09-22-2022, 01:22 PM   #11
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Some RVS do indeed have additional heating added in the wet bay which operated independent of the furnace. Some also have the valves all inside heated space as well to keep them protected.
A wet bay is not the underbelly . most trailers and 5th wheels have the underbelly , and those with the so called wet bay may or may not be heated . without make and model it's anybodies guess on Op's unit . I gave sound advice based on the avg TT
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Old 09-22-2022, 01:27 PM   #12
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No, that is not necessarily true. Unless it is well below 0 running the furnace to keep the occupants comfortable will be sufficient to protect the pluembing assuming it is a 4 season rig (and if it wasn't it probably wouldn't have any heat ducted to the underbelly).
That is not entirely an accurate statement . even 4 season are best suited for the 3 . water lines running in underbelly exposed dump valves all play a part in below freezing weather . the best way to find out is hook up set thermostat leave water on and see what happens after a week of below freezing temps then you will know for sure .
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Old 09-22-2022, 01:37 PM   #13
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A wet bay is not the underbelly . most trailers and 5th wheels have the underbelly , and those with the so called wet bay may or may not be heated . without make and model it's anybodies guess on Op's unit . I gave sound advice based on the avg TT
we don't know what kind of RV the OP has as he hasn't told us yet.

my advice is based on my (and other ones i've heard of) class c motorhome

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That is not entirely an accurate statement . even 4 season are best suited for the 3 . water lines running in underbelly exposed dump valves all play a part in below freezing weather . the best way to find out is hook up set thermostat leave water on and see what happens after a week of below freezing temps then you will know for sure .
my class c motorhome has a heated underbelly and all my valves are in my wet bay which is heated. They made an even more capable version in later years that even has an auxiliary 12v heater in the wet bay.
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Old 09-22-2022, 01:56 PM   #14
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Taken from another thread which shows the RV the OP has

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Yes, I'm sure it is the board. RV is a 2017 Forest River Freedom Express. Thank you!
This correlates to a Coachmen travel trailer:

https://coachmenrv.com/travel-traile...ess-ultra-lite
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Old 09-22-2022, 02:02 PM   #15
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I pretty clearly specified it would work if it was a 4 season unit and that typically non 4 season units don't bother to heat that space, never said that if it heats the space it is 4 season capable.
The bold statement is not true… and I used the verb “implying” which you did.
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Old 09-22-2022, 03:36 PM   #16
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Thanks all!
So, if camping in temps below freezing the furnace would need to run almost constantly to protect the plumbing?
Back to your question(s)...
No, even running the furnace constantly (which would eat up a LOT of propane) during freezing temperatures will not assure your plumbing will not freeze up.

First things first... not all R/Vs are the same so the opinions of how someone's R/V behaves during freezing temperatures may not remotely (if at all) correlate to your R/V. Even like models can have a plumbing pipe a couple inches closer to the wall or an area that might not get heated that same.

With that said... can you camp in freezing temperatures... yes... but you are going to have to determine how YOUR R/V is going to react to those temperatures and do some preliminary investigating as to whether your underbelly is well sealed, whether you have tank heaters, if you have a heat vent from the furnace into the underbelly and so forth.

Even then, extended cold temperatures will require leaving interior cabinet doors open (where plumbing exists) and using supplemental heat. And using supplemental heat is a double edged sword as it cuts down on the LP use but also cuts down on the heat provided by the furnace to those critical areas mentioned previously.

Where do you plan to be during these freezing temperatures?
How long will it stay below freezing and what do you expect the lows to be? As an example: 28º is below freezing and can likely be tolerated for a bit. 10º is also below freezing and will be more than a chore to keep things from freezing.

We need more information. And as mentioned... it is ALWAYS best to list your year/make/model in the body of any post you are asking a question about something. Again... not every R/V is the same.
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