frozen tab

sugarloafer

Does anyone have thoughts on keeping the tab from freezing without winterizing? We wanna use it for ski camping-is it unrealistic to try to do that with water and bath? Are there no modifications that'll allow us to have those options in winter? I dont mind taking it apart a bit to make this possible, but I can't even tell right now whats freezing and what to address. Has anyone done this?

SGH0004

On our trip last fall we would stop to use an air compressor to blow water out of the lines if we thought we were heading to an area that would be below freezing. Only takes a few minutes.

dragonsdofly

@sugarloafer, the answer to your question is yes. There is a thread somewhere here on the forum about an owner who heated the tanks and exterior plumbing, including discharge gates to fully use the t@b in freezing conditions. There is calculated electrical draw and other pertinent info included. I remember being impressed by the thought and work that went into the upgrade. Please check the heating category and the modification category to see if you can find it or maybe one of our resident experts can chime in. Remember too that camping in freezing temps can be defined literally as a matter of degrees. Do you plan to camp ~30*F or -10*F. All of those variables have to be taken into account. Good luck!

pthomas745

This thread:  http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/480/tank-heating-pads-installed-by-anyone

jgram2

Nice, @pthomas745! Now feel compelled to ask @jdargis and @Bgkirk how their winter excursions went this year? Safe plumbing? Heat? Hot showers? And even though @Hvtymwiltravel has a 400, would be great to hear from them too.

Dalehelman

Total freeze protection can be quite expensive. Unless you are plugged into shore power a real draw on batteries or solar. In freezing conditions we use bottle water and use RV antifreeze for the toilet.

Verna

I encountered freezing temps going to Arizona in December and coming back over the last two weeks.

I stayed winterized on the trip to Arizona, using two 2.5 gallon jugs of tap water for cooking and the toilet. I visited the RV dump every morning to empty the tanks (it only got down below 28* one morning) to make sure they didn’t freeze. I kept RV pink antifreeze in the p-traps during the day. 

I was not winterized on the way home, with temps staying 31* and higher, and mostly above 35*. I used city water until I got to 33* and then I opted to use the water in the fresh water tank, rather than risking bursting a water hose. I do need to winterize before Friday as the T@B will be cleaned totally out and cleaned up by then. 

ChaseTheLight

Verna- would blowing out water using a compressor and adding a bit of antifreeze to the p-traps be adequate winterization? I have a 400 and don’t really want to add antifreeze throughout. I live in Ohio so can get really cold. Thanks. 

Dalehelman

@ChaseTheLight you also need to drain all tanks including hot water tank. I also add enough antifreeze to keep dump valve wet to prevent sticking.

Verna

@ChaseTheLight, yes, plus what @Dalehelman said. 

ChaseTheLight

Dalehelman said:

@ChaseTheLight you also need to drain all tanks including hot water tank. I also add enough antifreeze to keep dump valve wet to prevent sticking.

Yes on the tanks for sure. For the dump valve (newbie) do you just add some antifreeze to the toilet?

Dalehelman

ChaseTheLight said:

Dalehelman said:

@ChaseTheLight you also need to drain all tanks including hot water tank. I also add enough antifreeze to keep dump valve wet to prevent sticking.

Yes on the tanks for sure. For the dump valve (newbie) do you just add some antifreeze to the toilet?

yes toilet and
 sink or shower drain for gray water dump valve.

ChaseTheLight

Dalehelman said:

ChaseTheLight said:

Dalehelman said:

@ChaseTheLight you also need to drain all tanks including hot water tank. I also add enough antifreeze to keep dump valve wet to prevent sticking.

Yes on the tanks for sure. For the dump valve (newbie) do you just add some antifreeze to the toilet?

yes toilet and
 sink or shower drain for gray water dump valve.

Thanks!