Freezing-weather camping

Rapidz · 11-10-2010, 06:09 PM

We keep our Sportsmobile in the garage where it is 40 degrees even when the weather outside is below 20.

I'd like to keep the water system operational but what about traveling.

We will be traveling from Idaho to California to go camping in November. Will the water system in the Sportsmobile freeze while we are driving through high elevations of Oregon, Nevada and California with temperatures in the 30s?

Once we get to the valleys in California, the temps will be in the 50s and 60s.

Anybody travel with a full water tank through freezing high country?

TroySmith80 · 11-10-2010, 06:35 PM

Maybe isn't smart, but i've had my westy in a lot of freezing weather, without doing anything, and so far, so good.

JoeyNick · 11-10-2010, 06:46 PM

Are you passing through or staying put put in freezing weather several days?

If it's a day or two and it's not in the dingle digits, you should be fine.

Generally, the water in the tanks won't freeze because of the mass and because they are in the heated areas of the van. It's the lines outside you'll need to be more concerned with when staying put or in really cold temps.

Rapidz · 11-10-2010, 06:55 PM

We will be driving high mountain passes in 30-degree weather for about 10 hours. Then we will be camping in lowland valleys.

I'd like to just keep the water system full and operational.

The problem I see is the holding tank, which is exposed. I could put RV antifreeze in the holding tank just to make sure I don't get any freezing.

Thanks for the comments.

Rapidz

billwilson · 11-10-2010, 07:20 PM

My rig don't run when it gets to Dingle Digits....

JoeyNick · 11-10-2010, 08:10 PM

For 10 hours, I wouldn't worry about it. Even if if you got a little peripheral freezing, it won't be near enough to cause any damage.

Damage generally occurs when the fluids freeze solid and have no direction to expand, which causes things to break.

Rapidz · 11-10-2010, 08:21 PM

Thanks.
I'm going to keep it operational all winter. we usually go camping in the Sawtooths of Idaho so that we can go cross country skiing in the backcountry.
Will be careful with the water and monitor the system constantly.
Good camping, no matter what the weather.
Rapids

8850 · 11-10-2010, 08:53 PM

Take a look at the info on the RV antifreeze. The stuff I just got from Camping World) see link below) said to use full strength and too not dilute. I was going to keep the tanks partially full until I read that and was concerned about the effectiveness if diluted. Instead, I followed the suggestions in the thread about winterizing (I think it was Jage's thread) and removed all the water. As a side note, there is a note in my Sportsmobile manual about exposure to sub-freezing temps on a temporary basis not being harmful.

Link to antifreeze here: http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/it ... llon/30243

EMrider · 11-11-2010, 06:07 AM

I do a lot of driving through the eastern sierras in the winter and often forget to fully drain the main water tank. If you're just driving through, no problem. The interior tank will be fine. But do remember to drain water out of your exterior lines before driving because those will freeze. It usually does not cause a problem, but I have had two exterior sections of plastic water pipe crack from frozen water in the line that I forgot to drain out. So just to be safe.....

If you're camping on sub freezing weather keeping the interior of the van heated and running the water occasionally to circulate should avoid any freezing problems.

R

Advanturetrek · 11-15-2010, 08:29 PM

Hi Rapidz and others,

What have you learned from freezing weather camping so far?
I'd like to design a SMB to be freeze compatible for extended ski trips. Advice appreciated.

Thanks!

Okie