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Topic: Waste tanks not protected from cold. (Read 1496 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #25 –
A travel trailer is nowhere near as expensive as a FT.  I have a great class C too but it has exposed tanks as well.  I wish it did not but there is just no real estate for the tanks to be enclosed.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #26 –
"Why would you want to go where it's cold?" That's what the SOB's are told
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #27 –
I don't want to go where it's cold, but unless you were in Florida last winter you were probably where it's cold! hahaha
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #28 –
Heck it snowed in Nac when I was there in January.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #29 –
Not being able to go somewhere versus not wanting to makes non insulated SOB's worth less IMO
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #30 –
The shocking thing I learned here on this thread is that even some Foretravels don't have insulated tanks. Is that really normal on a high priced coach? Do you need at least a U280 for cold weather camping?
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #31 –
Quote from: RRadio –
The shocking thing I learned here on this thread is that even some Foretravels don't have insulated tanks. Is that really normal on a high priced coach? Do you need at least a U280 for cold weather camping?

Yes.  No insulated tankages until the late 80's.  Bird had heaters in the tank walls.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #32 –
I'm adding insulated tanks to the growing list of things I'm sooo glad I accidentally stumbled into when I purchased my coach... How come nobody on this forum ever mentioned this when I was shopping around for my coach? It would have greatly influenced my decision.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #33 –
If you spray your tanks with 2 inches urethane foam they will not freeze and also run a heater hose from the engine
and rap it around your valves before you spray you will be able to open the valves after running the engine for 15 min
Spraying the hole underside of your coach is a good idea as it will keep the floor of the coach warm. I have had tanks
not freeze at 30 below F.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #34 –
If I place a small Ceramic Heater in the basement of my 280 will that suffice for low 30's to mid 20's? We are doing extensive remodeling and adding on to our home and will have to stay in the coach for a couple weeks in November. Would rather not have to winterize until afterwards if I can avoid it. Maybe set front furnace on 60 in addition to ceramic in the basement? first motor home first winter ::)
Hope this isn't too blatant of a hi jacking!
Tom
1998 U320 40'

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #35 –
Quote from: TAS69 –
If I place a small Ceramic Heater in the basement of my 280 will that suffice for low 30's to mid 20's? We are doing extensive remodeling and adding on to our home and will have to stay in the coach for a couple weeks in November. Would rather not have to winterize until afterwards if I can avoid it. Maybe set front furnace on 60 in addition to ceramic in the basement? first motor home first winter ::)
Hope this isn't too blatant of a hi jacking!

Last winter we used electric heaters from the park power, rather than burn propane on below freezing days and nights down to 10 degrees.  We used 1, 200 watt heater in each of the waterheater/pump bay, and on the wet bay, on thermo cubes.  The remote wireless thermometers showed the temps always in the range of the thermo cubes (38-45) limits.  I added cords to all the cubes to lay on the bottom of the bays, and located the remotes higher in the bay areas.  We were comfortable with two ceramic space heaters in the coach, one in the bath, one in the saloon.  Of course you can run the correct propane furnace that ducts to the bays and be safe as well.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #36 –
We use Lasko 200 watt Personal Heaters
- Walmart 2 in our water bays, two on each side. They work much better than higher wattage heaters and our old 100 watt light bulbs. We do monitor the bay temps with wireless thermometers. And on very cold days put a large piece of Reflectix under bay doors with sides tucked in to preserve the heat.

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #37 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
And on very cold days put a large piece of Reflectix under bay doors with sides tucked in to preserve the heat.

Are you using it like a storm window or blanket to give additional insulation to the bay doors?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #38 –
Our doors including the ORED have inslulating qualities.  They are sealed fiberglas with air between. ^.^d

Uni coaches and unihomes have floors  that are insulated.
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My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #39 –
Quote from: TAS69 –
If I place a small Ceramic Heater in the basement of my 280 will that suffice for low 30's to mid 20's? We are doing extensive remodeling and adding on to our home and will have to stay in the coach for a couple weeks in November. Would rather not have to winterize until afterwards if I can avoid it. Maybe set front furnace on 60 in addition to ceramic in the basement? first motor home first winter ::)
Hope this isn't too blatant of a hi jacking!

If its only getting into the 20s and you have all of the openings sealed off where cold air could get in (mainly the cord/hose slot) I wouldn't even bother doing anything.  The bays are pretty well insulated and won't freeze at that temperature.  Maybe turn on the 12 volt light in the bay if you feel you need to. 

I've gone to the same Lasko My Heat "200" watt heaters that Barry uses along with these programmable outlet thermostats to keep the bays at 55 degrees. 

Lux WIN100 Heating & Cooling Programmable Outlet Thermostat - Programmable

The Lasko heaters only register at 100 watts each on my inverters display but work quite well to heat the small space in the water bays.  I was originally going to build brackets and permanently mount them to the  walls but ended up just velcroing them to the floor temporarily until I get around to it.  They don't have a tip sensor to shut them off if they fall over. 
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Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #40 –
A 100watt heater...or a 100 watt incandescent light bulb. Pretty much the same thing!
1998 U270 34'

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #41 –
Quote from: krush –
A 100watt heater...or a 100 watt incandescent light bulb. Pretty much the same thing!

I used 100w light bulbs last winter and they worked.  However, these little heaters circulate the heat much better and are just much more effective than the light bulbs.  It really isn't even close in real world usage.  Also, I was constantly worrying about the light bulbs burning out when it was -15F.
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3
 

Re: Waste tanks not protected from cold.

Reply #42 –
Every bulb no matter how protected is a fire hazard as the bulb surface is VERY hot. We used 4 bulbs for years but Lasko heater do not get hot and have a blower to move air about, much better than a bulb.

Our Reflectix is the width and height of the space behind the bay door PLUS about 6" wider and taller. We bend in the sides which expand back to touch the insides. The Reflectix is about an inch or so away from the inside of the compartment door. The idea is to hold in the heat better than the door seal does.