Frozen water filter and cold weather Salem FSX 161QK

[NoDiceSouja]

I'm new to RV'ing and I recently found water wasn't working. I found that the cold weather appears to have busted my water filter. I realize in some other RV's the filter and other water connections are enclosed and thus they get some heat from inside, and another good practice is to keep cold water running which I failed to do but will in the future. Are there any additional measures you all suggest to prevent this? Is there some type of shroud you put around this, or is that part of skirting (something else I'm looking into) ?

 

[Chuck_S]

You need a heated water hose. And use the filter that's built into the interior of many campers (if you have one) otherwise just just skip the filter -- never been to a campground that didn't have potable water.

The filter you posted is aftermarket as are most if not all the fittings I see.

-- Chuck

 

[Aussieguy]

on real cold weather use the internal fresh water tank
if you are camping and using the furnace .. the heat should stop the water tank from freezing...

disconnect the city water hose.

think about getting some sort of skirt ... stop cold air from flowing under trailer

sewer hose may freeze too
be careful if you use that in the next few days....

 

[5picker]

Yep, as Aussie says, get yourself a new filter, use it to put water in your fresh tank for those nights where it's going to freeze. (provided you have tank heaters and/or at least, an enclosed underbelly) Remove the hose and filter and store it inside when it won't freeze. Use the on-board pump.

A heated hose will likely keep the hose from freezing but looking at your photos, you probably ruined your pressure regulator as well. They are prone to freezing too. And a heated hose does nothing to keep the spigot from freezing. Besides, many campgrounds turn off the water when it freezes.

You don't mention where you have your R/V parked or whether you are in a campground but winter conditions can prove troublesome. I see you have no skirting or anything to help with the cold temps.

Also be careful of leaving a faucet dripping on freezing nights.
A trickle of water through a ribbed sewer hose laying on the frozen ground can cause the trickle to freeze, block up the hose and you'll have a real mess when the tank fills up and water overflows inside the R/V.

Tell us more about your circumstances and we can give better advice.

 

[Reverse_snowbird]

What kind of cold are you experiencing?
Is this a permanent site?

 

[Giboneys]

As others have stated fill you onboard water tank then disconnect from water, make sure your water hose is drained. Unfortunately your pressure gauge may be no good now that it has froze.

How cold and how long did it drop below freezing? Is this just a short time stay or are you planing on spending the winter in below freezing temperatures, if your going to be there for the winter you need to look at skirting your trailer and protecting your dump hoses and valves. There are many good videos on YouTube of individuals skirting and protecting there dump Valves and hoses.

 

[NoDiceSouja]

You need a heated water hose. And use the filter that's built into the interior of many campers (if you have one) otherwise just just skip the filter -- never been to a campground that didn't have potable water.

The filter you posted is aftermarket as are most if not all the fittings I see.

-- Chuck

Thanks - yes there are a few brass connectors for quick-release and the filter, pressure regulator, and right-angle connecter is from RV Guard: https://rvguardstore.com/collection...-connect-complete-kit-for-fresh-water-hook-up

I don't believe I have a filter built in - at least not per the spec sheet. I couldn't find a 2023 build on FR's site but here's one if you're interested in double-checking me: https://www.rvusa.com/rv-guide/2023-forest-river-salem-fsx-161qk-travel-trailer-specs-tr58244

I'll look into skipping the filter and I see heater water hose options. Thanks!

 

[GolfingDave]

Depending on how cold it gets a heated hose will not heat the faucet. That is a lot of metal to get warm and stay warm.

You do not want to be paying for a faucet repair.
Keeping pressure on a frost proof faucet does not let the water siphon out either to prevent freezing.

 

[NoDiceSouja]

on real cold weather use the internal fresh water tank
if you are camping and using the furnace .. the heat should stop the water tank from freezing...

disconnect the city water hose.

think about getting some sort of skirt ... stop cold air from flowing under trailer

sewer hose may freeze too
be careful if you use that in the next few days....

Thanks - I'll look into the tanks. I actually haven't used them before but I'll load them and see how the water pump works. I am looking into skirting - although seems to be roughly $1500 for my 23.6 ft trailer :-( Does that sound right? https://ezsnapdirect.com/products/rv-skirting/builder/results/993f1cfa-6ffe-49d6-aa1e-d1c7f334c688/ I'm not sure if this "ez snap" is a recommended product but their calculator (above link) produces a price roughly $1500, but if I use the default skirt product for 30' it's roughly $600 with upgrades (i.e. bag, pipe clamps, stainless steel screws, etc): https://ezsnapdirect.com/store/rv-skirting/rv-side-skirting-kit/30-foot-length-side-skirting-kit/

Any other skirting recommendations? I'm very handy so I'm fine doing it with tarp or something DIY-worthy.

 

[NoDiceSouja]

What kind of cold are you experiencing?
Is this a permanent site?

I'm in central Ohio so it doesn't usually get below 0°F here. This instance was the result of 20 - 30°F overnight and probably some wind chill in there. This is a permanent site.

 

[Giboneys]

We use 2" foam board and aluminum tape from HD. Make sure you get the cold weather tape.

 

[Aussieguy]

foam board for skirting

if you living in it....
get some roll insulation with the silver and tape it to your windows
will help with heat loss

BUT look out for condensation on walls etc
you need to remove moisture too by having some circulation of fresh air into the trailer

 

[D W]

Yes Siree Bob, it's a fact that water freezes at 32°F.

 

[TitanMike]

foam board for skirting

if you living in it....
get some roll insulation with the silver and tape it to your windows
will help with heat loss

BUT look out for condensation on walls etc
you need to remove moisture too by having some circulation of fresh air into the trailer

I hate the reflective bubble wrap. I popped the inside screens off the windows and applied the shrink fit clear film used for winterizing non double glazed windows in houses. Cut the cold draft off windows. Left screen on window behind stove alone as I open this window when cooking. Propane use by furnace has been cut drastically after this window treatment. I also can let the Sunshine in during the day instead of feeling like I live in a cave.

I'm now full timing and last several weeks low temps have approached freezing or slightly below. Filling water tank and having no hose connected is. In my opinion the only way to go. Expect temps tonight to drop into 20's and the only think I'll do before that is to turn tank heater switch on.

 

[TitanMike]

Yes Siree Bob, it's a fact that water freezes at 32°F.

I had a couple of "locals" in Wyoming once tried to convince me once that water there froze at 40 degrees because of the altitude.

 

[Aussieguy]

I had a couple of "locals" in Wyoming once tried to convince me once that water there froze at 40 degrees because of the altitude.

very dry air... at altitude can make water evaporate
which can lower the immediate temp enough to freeze a puddle of water

since I avoid frozen stuff on the ground at all costs
can't vouch for that piece of priceless knowledge

 

[TitanMike]

very dry air... at altitude can make water evaporate
which can lower the immediate temp enough to freeze a puddle of water

since I avoid frozen stuff on the ground at all costs
can't vouch for that piece of priceless knowledge

Pure Water still freezes at 32 degrees even at altitude. It may freeze faster due to more rapid loss of heat but the 32 degrees is one of the scientific constants.

 

[Aussieguy]

Pure Water still freezes at 32 degrees even at altitude. It may freeze faster due to more rapid loss of heat but the 32 degrees is one of the scientific constants.

makes sense too

Florida water must be very impure
never freezes for some reason


have to import water to make ice cubes

 

[TitanMike]

makes sense too

Florida water must be very impure
never freezes for some reason


have to import water to make ice cubes

Florida usually has too much water in the air for me. If I want to sweat a lot I'll get in a sauna. Then I can just get out and don't have to live in it.

 

[Aussieguy]

when ya get to I-10 head east till you can see the air

nice this time of the year.... got my shoes and socks on today
Gas monkey hoody ..... is dusted off and ready for another couple of weeks worth of wear and tear

I'm winterized... took 5 minutes