Safe temps for carrying water

[Vndlfsn]

We’re planning on Moab and surrounding areas March15 to April 1.

As far as I can tell, it could freeze overnight but will be 50s and 60s during the day.

Is it safe to fill my fresh water tank or is any freezing at all in the hoses, even overnight, a bad thing?

What is the risk exactly? Is it that water frozen in the hoses could cause them to burst?

 

[Twoxentrix]

No idea what set-up you have (is it a Sportsmobile build?), So could use a little more information:
Other than having a grey or black tank mounted underneath the van, is your entire water system located inside the van?
Do you have a ‘hot plate’ plumed under the van for hot water?
Do you have type of heater that you’d be running inside the van?

Do you have en exterior water supply fill on the outside?

 

[TimRiker]

We have an 18 gallon plastic fresh water tank where the spare tire used to be. We've been below freezing overnight, and not yet had any issues with it.

The original build had a smaller tank under the goucho couch which would handle the lower temperatures better. A previous owner swapped it out. I must admit that the larger tank size is nice.

I think before we're ready for longer duration below freezing nights, we'll need to add a hot plate or similar on the tank.

 

[Vndlfsn]

Sorry, that information would’ve been helpful.

It’s a 2013 Sprinter. I have an external water port for filling, the freshwater tank is underneath the rear seat.

There is a D5 hydronic system that is supposed to supply heat to the cabin and/or hot water to the external shower (near the rear doors) or to the sink but I’m having problems getting that system going and I’m not anticipating that it will be working in time for a trip.

We do have a way of carrying water other than the freshwater tank, but of course that would take up room that I could dedicate to something else.

 

[Twoxentrix]

If you can get heat inside the van (either use of your Espar if operating, or a space heater if you’ll have exterior electric available…some people use a Mr. Buddy heater), then you should be fine.
If you have a grey and/or black water tank I’d pour some of the RV antifreeze (pink color, it’s non toxic) down the sink drain and drive the van a little so it mix’s the fluid in the tank.
Sportsmobile was good at adding drain valves at the lower spots of any exterior water lines - at least mine has them on all the exterior lines. If you have those, open and drain the lines and let the water pass when temps start dropping. You should have an interior shut off for the exterior lines which needs to be shut prior to opening the exterior drain valves.
My fill port also has a water drain valve at the lowest point, so I do the same with it.
Frozen lines can cause cracks in the water lines, and that could prove a real inconvenience depending on when the leak(s) develop, so it’s good to be concerned.

 

[86Scotty]

"My fill port also has a water drain valve at the lowest point, so I do the same with it."

Correct, this is the weakest link in the system. I've replaced several of the fill port/one way valves. I would always drain this one since, being a one way valve, there is definitely water trapped downstream of it and they are somewhat weak.

Especially if it's this one:

https://www.amazon.com/SHURFLO-183-...ocphy=9013338&hvtargid=pla-451605396897&psc=1

 

[Scalf77]

I agree the fill port is a big weak link. I installed a check valve inside between the fill port and the system. This allows you to fill the tank, and drain the fill port.