Short term freeze preparations?

CountingFireflies · October 29, 2011, 03:18:10 PM

Howdy -

We are back in the states, and stopped over in vermont to wait for the parts for our aquahot to come in. The bus has been without heat for the last 5 days, and it's been bitterly cold in quebec and VT. So anyway, we're in Vermont, and there's a winter storm warning in effect and it's currently snowing. The temp is going to drop down to the mid 20's tonight and tomorrow. I'm worried about the plumbing in the bays. Normally the aquahot keeps all the bays above freezing. So here's the question?

1) Should I try and drain as much of the water out as possible and drain the fresh tank?
2) Leave it be?
3) other suggestions?

Mind you I'm in the middle of rural Vermont, so I can't get my hands on any anti-freeze.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Chris.

Seayfam · October 29, 2011, 03:58:04 PM

I would drain as much as you can, then open all the faucets and valves and put some air to it.
Blow the air untill you stop getting moisture and water. Then Dump a little RV antifreeze into all your drains. But if you can't get ahold of that, I would try using a plunger to get any water pushed through your traps.

Good luck,
I hope you don't freeze and break anything!

bobofthenorth · October 29, 2011, 05:12:40 PM

Mid 20s isn't that cold where I come from. I don't know what your long range forecast is or what your intentions are but if its forecast to warm up and you plan to use the bus I wouldn't bother winterizing. Depending on your plumbing layout one cube heater in the bay might be adequate to keep everything from freezing. Any heat that you apply in the bays will migrate up so you'll still need heat on in the coach but just not as much. If you're really worried about it, as others have said, put a blast of air to it to get some/most of the water out and then leave the heat on.

gumpy · October 29, 2011, 07:57:40 PM

Yeah, what Bob said. Put an electric heater in the bay. Plug it in.

Add another one or two upstairs if you need to keep warm, too.

Enjoy the falling snow.

robertglines1 · October 30, 2011, 07:55:54 AM

Your keeping living quarters warm correct? staying in bus. Shouldn't be a problem mid 20's for 6 hrs or so them back above freezing. Something a simple as a 100 watt light bulb in a bay will add 6 degree of heat when in mid 20's.some heat should be getting to bays thru floors. Bob

HB of CJ · October 30, 2011, 02:08:44 PM

FWIW I was concerned about plumbing freezing when the indoor/outdoor temp was +15F soss I got up out of bed a couple of times dressed just in my underware and took my trusty lazer temp gage OUTSIDE and measured all the pipes and stuff next to the engine and none of it was below +30F. Seems the hot engine and coolant (122 quarts) kept everything very nice and warm. HB of CJ (old...and cold in his shorts)

gus · October 30, 2011, 02:14:23 PM

Remove all the spray heads from kitchen and toilet spray hoses, those things crack before anything else. Also, your toilet valve will crack unless drained or kept warm.

If you keep the tank bay, bathroom and kitchen warm and have flexible water lines you probably won't have any problem.

Jriddle · October 30, 2011, 02:59:18 PM

I would do as other have said except the water bay may only need a light bulb burning. I have kept the engine on our plane warm for several winters before we installed a engine preheat system. Keep some heat inside bus and you should be fine for short term protection. Wind will be your biggest enemy.

My Way

John