Happening a winter tenting journey? Listed below are some simple, inexpensive methods to maintain your RV pipes from freezing whereas tenting…
We love winter tenting! Virtually each January, we camp on the snow-covered shores of Lake Michigan. It is freezing chilly… however a lot enjoyable! And if you wish to see a bit of extra of our 2023 Winter Campout, ensure you discover it under!
We extremely suggest it in the event you’ve by no means camped within the snow. It is a wholly completely different expertise and a good way to take pleasure in typical summer time locations in a complete new manner.
Nonetheless, RV house owners should take the required precautions to guard their RV from the chilly climate. One of the crucial vital points to pay attention to is the danger of frozen pipes, which might trigger severe harm to your RV’s plumbing system. And remember about your RV holding tanks! In extreme chilly, these can freeze, too.
On this article, we’ll talk about the steps you’ll be able to take to maintain your RV’s pipes from freezing whereas tenting in chilly climate. And we put all of the hyperlinks on our Winter Amazon List so that you can discover.
PLUS we wrote an entire ebook on Winter Camping – that is how a lot we find it irresistible!
In case you purchase one thing via our hyperlinks, we might get a small fee at no additional price to you. It helps hold our lights on so we will proceed to offer useful sources for RVers. Learn our full affiliate disclosure here.
Final RV Winter Tenting Ideas
We needed to share this video earlier than we leap into suggestions particularly for stopping frozen pipes. It is our final RV winter tenting suggestions!
Give it a watch, after which hold studying for extra nice suggestions…
Methods to Hold Your RV Pipes From Freezing Whereas Tenting
One journey to the ironmongery shop can get you a lot of the issues on this record. That, or Amazon, after all. Wherever you get the supplies, the following tips ought to assist defend your motorhome or journey trailer via the winter months. That manner, you’ll be able to take pleasure in your winter tenting journey to the fullest.
1. Insulate Your RV Pipes
Correctly insulating your RV pipes is step one in stopping them from freezing. Insulation supplies akin to pipe sleeves or foam insulation can add an additional layer of safety. Or, strive pipe insulation tape. These supplies could be minimize to suit any measurement pipe and could be utilized to the outside of the pipes.
Make sure to take note of all of the pipes, together with these below the sinks and within the toilet and kitchen.
2. Take into account Utilizing Warmth Tape
One other efficient method to stop your RV pipes from freezing is to make use of heat tape or heat cable. Warmth tape is {an electrical} heating ingredient that may be wrapped round pipes and plugged in to offer warmth.
Make certain to decide on a warmth tape particularly designed to be used on RV pipes, and comply with the producer’s directions for set up and use.
3. Skirt Your RV
Skirting your RV is one other method to defend your pipes from freezing as a result of it will increase the ambient warmth beneath your RV. Skirting is a cloth that surrounds the underside or underbelly of your RV to dam chilly winds. you
This could be a DIY challenge with varied supplies, akin to insulated foam, vinyl, or heavy-duty plastic. Or you should buy pre-made skirting kits…
EZSnap Skirting and Fabricover skirting are extremely popular within the RVing group. And you may see our expertise with Air Skirts under:
4. Insulate Your RV Storage Bays
Your RV storage bays are additionally weak to freezing temperatures. To guard the pipes in these areas, make sure you insulate them as properly.
This may be completed with foam insulation, foam boards, fiberglass insulation, and so forth.
5. Warmth Your RV Storage Bays
Along with insulating the storage bays, you may as well warmth them to maintain the pipes from freezing. Electrical heating pads could be positioned on the underside of the storage bay and plugged in to offer warmth.
Or, you need to use a transportable heater, like a propane or electrical house heater. Simply remember that these transportable heaters could be harmful if not used correctly. So fastidiously learn their manuals and test them typically when in use.
6. Open Your Cupboard Doorways
One easy method to hold the pipes in your RV from freezing is to open the cupboard doorways below the sinks. This permits heat air to flow into across the pipes and retains them from freezing.
7. Strategically Place Electrical Heaters
One other method to hold the pipes in your RV from freezing is to strategically place electric heaters across the RV. This may be completed by inserting a small electrical heater below the sink or within the toilet to maintain the pipes heat.
8. Use Your Tanks As a substitute of Hookups
If attainable, use your freshwater tank as an alternative of utilizing a freshwater hookup. Your contemporary water tank is insulated and protected against chilly temperatures (or at the very least it needs to be– hold studying). Your water hose, however, has a better threat of freezing.
If it’s essential use contemporary water hookups, look into shopping for a heated water hose. This heated hose connects to your water supply and RV similar to different consuming hoses. It is easy to make use of and is without doubt one of the finest methods to maintain contemporary water flowing to your RV.
On that very same word, don’t hold your sewer hose open or linked whereas tenting. You should not go away your grey water tank and black water tank valves open whereas tenting (common newbie RV mistakes), however it’s particularly dangerous to do it within the chilly. You actually don’t desire THAT liquid freezing in your sewer hose (AKA stinky slinky).
9. Select a Sunny Campsite
When selecting a campsite, search for one which’s in a sunny location. This can assist to maintain your RV heat and may also assist to stop your pipes from freezing. It is a easy tip, but very efficient.
In case you do not assume it can make a large enough distinction, take into consideration if you’re driving up the mountains. You will begin seeing snow patches beneath timber a lot earlier than on open floor. So, attempt to park in a campsite the place you will have as a lot direct daylight as attainable.
10. Set up RV Holding Tank Heaters
Lastly, take into account putting in RV holding tank heaters. These heaters are specifically designed to maintain the water in your holding tanks from freezing and could be a lifesaver in extraordinarily chilly temperatures.
BONUS TIP: Hold a heat gun or compact hair dryer available simply in case you find yourself with a frozen pipe. You may defrost it, and add pipe insulation or one of many different above tricks to stop it from taking place once more.
Know the Indicators of Frozen Pipes
Even in the event you take all the required precautions, there’s nonetheless a threat that your pipes might freeze. It is necessary to know the indicators of frozen pipes, so you’ll be able to take motion earlier than they burst. Some frequent indicators of frozen pipes embrace an absence of water movement, unusual noises coming from the pipes, and frost on the pipes.
In case you suspect that your pipes have frozen, you must first flip off the water provide to your RV. Then, open the taps and activate the new water to permit any remaining water to movement via the pipes.
If the pipes are nonetheless frozen, you might want to make use of a hair dryer or warmth lamp to thaw them. By no means use an open flame, akin to a propane torch, to thaw pipes.
Here is our newest Winter Tenting video!
Within the feedback under, inform us about your expertise with winter tenting and frozen pipes.
We Are Enormous Followers of Winter Tenting!
Now we are saying that understanding many individuals aren’t. Certainly, it’s essential really take pleasure in snow and chilly. However we all know there are millions of RVers on the market who simply want a bit of coaxing and a few tricks to get on the market and have enjoyable of their RVs year-round.
In order that’s why we wrote The Winter RV Camping Guide.
On this 36-page book – (NOT a Print e-book) we’ll stroll you thru what it’s essential do earlier than you allow residence to get your rig winter-ready, and we’ll cowl what to do when establishing camp.
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