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Lowest Allowable Camping Temperature without Winterizing

scott14
scott14 Member Posts: 189
in Heating/Plumbing & Winterizing
We are planning a trip this weekend to attend a wedding in South Dakota.  The lowest temperature forecast overnight for one night is 28 Degrees and will last a couple of hours.  The temperature will be below 32 Degrees for about 6 hours total that same night.  Obviously I know water freezes at 32 Degrees, and if I had a bottle of water sitting outside next to the camper, I would expect it to be frozen.  However, with heat on in the T@B 320 can I get away with not draining/winterizing the camper for this one night of temperatures as described?  I would like to know what others have done or not done.
Thank you!
Scott / 2019 T@B 400 "C@lypso" / 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ / Northern Illinois
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Comments

  • klenger
    klenger Member Posts: 309
    If it's warm enough for you to comfortably sleep in, the water will not freeze. I live in Tucson AZ and we often have temperatures in the high 20's for a few hours at night and I seldom winterize. 
    T@B 320 manuals and electrical drawings
    Considering a 2024 TaB 400 with all the option packages (full lithium), 
    2023 Jeep Gladiator Sport S, Max Tow Package.  
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  • Yoshi_TAB
    Yoshi_TAB Member Posts: 566
    edited October 2022
    Hi, I have a 2021 320S.  This is what I have done when encountering similar situations when it's going to dip (approx 28-32) below freezing for 4-6 hours overnight.  All your plumbing in a newer 320S is inside (i.e heated) except for the gray water tank, fresh water tank and p-trap for the shower.  I keep the fresh water tank filled (if using it) since it would take a signifcant amount of time at much lower temperatures to freeze that much water.  I empty the gray water tank and pour a small amount of antifreeze down the shower drain.  I pour enough until when I open the grey water tank, a small amount of pink comes out.  This will protect both the shower drain and the the grey water tank valve.  For grins, I'll also place a small amount of water in a cup outside just to know if it really got cold enough to freeze water.  Hope this helps..there isn't an exact answer as you know it depends on what temperatures and for how long.   Good luck...
    2025 360 CS 
    2021 TAB 320 BD (w/new owner having fun)
    2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Southern Maryland
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  • dsfdogs
    dsfdogs Member Posts: 640
    A couple other things I've learned/done on my 320 is detach the fresh water hose and filter and keep inside (at least the filter). Detach the sewer hose as it has frozen on. Do as Yoshi says above about antifreeze in valves - my gray valve and contents froze. Keep the bathroom door open. Open the door for the water pump cubby. Temps got to 26* for a few hours.
    Debbie in Oregon
    Sold 2023 Tab 400
    Sold 2018 T@B 320S

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  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,431
    edited October 2022
    The TaB320s with a cassette toilet, has an Alde heater unit in the back of the washroom, which will keep it heated from freezing temps.
     Cheers 
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
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  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,527
    I don't know what it is, but I know it when I see it.  The longer it stays below freezing, and, how low below that number is...the better the chances of problems.  This question is a perennial, and has many threads. 


    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • dsfdogs
    dsfdogs Member Posts: 640
    Good to know Denny; maybe someone with an older Tab will appreciate my suggestion.

    Debbie in Oregon
    Sold 2023 Tab 400
    Sold 2018 T@B 320S

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  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,431
    @dsfdogs yes, and I would also open the washroom door a small amount on any TaB in cold weather to get better air circulation.  
    Cheers 
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
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  • MuttonChops
    MuttonChops Member Posts: 1,936
    Denny16 said:
    The TaB320s with a cassette toilet, have an Alde heater unit in the back of the washroom, which will keep it heated from freezing temps.

    Okay @Denny16 - - -  How in the He double hockey sticks do you know that ?    ;)

    '18 320 S,  pitched axle, 3020HE; PNW based
    TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
    TV: '25 Canyon AT4
    Adventures:  58   Nights:  405  Towing Miles 50,180
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  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,431
    edited October 2022
    @MuttonChops, I saw a post here with a photo taken of the area under the sink unit, you can see the convector back under there behind the service panel on the newer TaB320, and there is one under the floor in a TaB400.
    Cheers 
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
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  • scott14
    scott14 Member Posts: 189
    Thank you to all that have contributed.  I appreciate the discussion!
    Scott / 2019 T@B 400 "C@lypso" / 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ / Northern Illinois
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  • AnOldUR
    AnOldUR Member Posts: 1,726
    Not only open the bath door, but also the hatch where the water pump is located.
    I got paranoid enough once when the temperature dropped that I duct taped my 12V heating blanket under the trail. Probably did squat, but made me feel a little better. :o
    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025

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  • elbolillo
    elbolillo Member Posts: 549
    I have had my 2021 Tab 320 sitting in my driveway with temperatures dropping as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit and have had no issues. I have made sure that everything is drained properly and keep the Alde running with a temp of 60 degrees. This was only for one evening before our leaving for warmer climes that next morning. With our 2 100Ah lithium batteries, we have not run into any problems either since their BMS does not allow charging after a certain temp. They will still provide 12v power to the Tab but we have had no worries about them getting cold.
    _____________________________________________________
    Ken / 2023 Tab 400 “La Bolita” (31,000+ miles) / 2024 Toyota Sequoia
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  • pak
    pak Member Posts: 126
    Had a low 20s night in Lovelock, Nv on the way South and no issues. Had the Alde running all night. I was more concerned about freezing when driving in the cold than when parked.
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  • jkjenn
    jkjenn Member Posts: 6,417
    MuttonChops said:
    Denny16 said:
    The TaB320s with a cassette toilet, have an Alde heater unit in the back of the washroom, which will keep it heated from freezing temps.

    Okay @Denny16 - - -  How in the He double hockey sticks do you know that ?    ;)

    This is not accurate. The glycol is behind the toilet but there is no radiator. I leave the door open over night when it gets cold out so that heat circulates better and for comfort.

    2021 T@b 320 Boondock "Mattie Ross" | 2021 T@b Nights: 239 | Total nights in a T@b 455 | 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland | T@b owner since 2014

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  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,431
    edited October 2022
    so Sorry @jkjenn, but according to Da_Birds in this discussion (https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/14348/alde-heat-flow-on-2021-320s) there is an Alde convector under the washroom sink behind the Cassette toilet.  Here are two of the images posted by Da_Birds from his late 2021 TaB320 CSS, I assume the TaB320 CS also has this washroom heating convector to keep the cassette toilet cassette and drains warm.  You are correct, this is not going to heat the washroom very much, more for the plumbing, given its location.  Keeping the door open a bit is also a good idea for warming the washroom up.

    The top photo shows the convector back under the washroom sink.
    The bottom photo shows the Alde circulation and convector locations.


    Cheers
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
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  • elbolillo
    elbolillo Member Posts: 549
    jkjenn said:
    MuttonChops said:
    Denny16 said:
    The TaB320s with a cassette toilet, have an Alde heater unit in the back of the washroom, which will keep it heated from freezing temps.

    Okay @Denny16 - - -  How in the He double hockey sticks do you know that ?    ;)

    This is not accurate. The glycol is behind the toilet but there is no radiator. I leave the door open over night when it gets cold out so that heat circulates better and for comfort.
    Actually, there is a radiator behind the toilet. This can be clearly seen in my Tab 320s 2021. 


    _____________________________________________________
    Ken / 2023 Tab 400 “La Bolita” (31,000+ miles) / 2024 Toyota Sequoia
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  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,431
    edited October 2022
    Under the sink at floor level, is behind the toilet, as the sink (wash basin) is behind the toilet.  Thanks for the additional post on this.
     Cheers 
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
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