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Topic: To drain or not? (Read 904 times) previous topic - next topic

To drain or not?

I'm currently in Hays, KS on my way back from Florida, and I have a question regarding the water lines.  As it is going to be hovering around 12 degrees this evening, do I need to drain the water tank and lines, or will they be kept warm enough by the use of our furnace?  I know each of the bays have heat, but wasn't sure about the water tank.

Thanks
Brian and Jen

Re: To drain or not?

Reply #1 –
Quote from: aspenpilot –
I'm currently in Hays, KS on my way back from Florida, and I have a question regarding the water lines.  As it is going to be hovering around 12 degrees this evening, do I need to drain the water tank and lines, or will they be kept warm enough by the use of our furnace?  I know each of the bays have heat, but wasn't sure about the water tank.

I've had my 1993 U225 sitting parked behind our shop in overnight temps down to 9F with the two furnaces set to 50-degrees and so far nothing has frozen. Your mileage may vary but for me it's worked fine. Just took on 30gallons of propane after 3 weeks (which included several days of living in the unit with the temps set to 65-degrees).

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: To drain or not?

Reply #2 –
On our 1997 U295, the rear furnace supplies heat to two of the bays. There is a 2" duct to the bay with the service entrances. There is a 2" duct to the bay with the water pump, accumulator, and water heater. There is no direct duct to the big storage bay with the joey bed.

All of the water tanks are between the two bays that receive heat from the rear furnace.

We have never drained any of the water lines or tanks. We've not had any damage down to a few degrees below zero if we keep the rear furnace running with the thermostat around 70F. We spent about four days living in the coach when the temperature never rose above 10F. I had some filters and hoses frozen, but sustained no damage. The pump, fresh water systems, and waster water systems worked fine. <DISCLAIMER> Your results may vary. </DISCLAIMER> I did add adjustable registers in the living area. I close them a bit to force a bit more air to the basement when temperatures are below freezing.

Some folk put light bulbs in those bays that house the water systems. I have remote reading thermometers to check on the bays. If I see that the furnace is not sending enough heat, I have some small (200W) electric heaters that I can put in the bays.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: To drain or not?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
..., I have some small (200W) electric heaters that I can put in the bays.

Sue and I just bought three of those on the recommendation of the guy who owns the 2002 Monaco who was fueling next to us this afternoon. He had one in each bay near the water tanks and each was connected to 120Vac via a plug that automatically activated at 32-degrees F. We've had good luck with keeping the furnaces on low but since the forward furnace is acting quirky again we thought it might be good to hedge some bets.

We also have one of the oil-filled radiator-type heaters in the living area set on lowest heat just in case. Our fresh water tank is under the pilot/co-pilot seat area and we are keeping the access lid open.

Craig
1993 U225 36' Unihome GV with PACBRAKE exhaust retarder, Banks Stinger and Solar Panels.
Toad: 1999 Jeep Wrangler 2-door soft-top.

"No one has ever had to evacuate a city because the solar panels broke."

Re: To drain or not?

Reply #4 –
I have a couple of the Thermo Cube thermostats for the little heaters. I haven't used them yet, but they are in the coach.

We are headed for cold country to visit family during the holidays. I carry three 1500W ceramic heaters, four 200W ceramic heaters, and a couple of Thermo Cubes. Last year, propane furnaces and one 1500W ceramic heater kept us in good shape. I like to have redundant solutions to problems when those problems can threaten life and property.

I won't deploy the ceramic heaters unless they are necessary. I will try to use them only while we are parked. I don't have them installed in a way to secure them from moving and become a hazard.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: To drain or not?

Reply #5 –
I have had my 96 U270 at -2 degrees with no problems although there was not much wind.
JON TWORK KB8RSA
Full Time RVer (10+ Years) & Dedicated Boondocker
Retired, Unemployed, Homeless Transients
1996 Foretravel U270-36 w/24' Timberwolf Trailer
I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my remaining obligations.
Welcome to WeRV2 (Under Construction)
Find Jon: Via Satellite Tracker Datastorm Users
The Second Amendment is in place in case they ignore the others.
 

Re: To drain or not?

Reply #6 –
We spent a week in NM (in same rig & year as yours) with temps ~8F and lots of wind.  I put 100w drop lights in water and utility bay, and ran furnace plus two elec heaters in the living area, and we were fine.  I did put a "snake" around the bottom of the front console where the air enters (and be sure to set your heater flaps to recirculate & closed), and we put some blankets in the stairwell at night, but nothing got even close to freezing and we were comfy.  I also checked the windows for drafts and put some blue tape on them, but unless it is really windy, you probably won't need to do that.
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM