I have been considering adding a strip of heat tape or cord to the exterior water lines of our 16' Deluxe. I currently have it winterized using RV antifreeze and have the water heater drained. We live in Louisville, Kentucky and have medium to mild winters (though experts are forecasting a cold winter this year). My question is this: We like the idea of doing some winter camping and I really, really don't like putting the pink stuff in my water tank. Why could I not simply add some heat tape to the exposed lines underneath and keep a space heater on a T-Stat inside. I know a small space heater has kept the interior very cozy even at 20 degrees or colder. If I wrapped all the exposed lines included the drain traps and the gray water line what else could freeze. Obviously, I would also want to check the area around the water heater as well. The idea would be to simply plug the trainer in when it gets super cold but, leave the lines filled. Thoughts?
I really thought this idea might garner a discussion. I'm looking at 20 degrees this weekend so I'm going to give it a try... I'll keep the group apprised of the results.
It appears the only water elements located on the underside of the Scamp 16 are 1) The gray water tank and gray water line from the pump under the shower. 2) The shower trap 3) The exit sewage tube from the toilet holding tank.
Are there any other areas that one can think of that might need heat tape? Any areas around the hot water heater that might be external or affected by the temp outside. As far as I can see, all thlines run internally. So as long as I keep a heater going and have the exposed elements "wrapped" I should be ok? I plan on taping the heating tape around the bottom of the gray water tank as well.
Thoughts anyone? There has to be some wither Scampers out there?
I take several gallons of anti freeze and chase everything that goes down the drain with antifreeze. For fresh water we use a 2.5 gal jug with a spout on the counter from the super market and drink bottled water. If you take a tote and empty your tanks before dark if it's going below freezing no need for heat tape. Take hand sanitizer and wet wipes.
When traveling to and from Fl. in the winter we travel with a winterized trailer. I can winterize on the road if running into cold weather if needed.
Eddie
The line from the bathroom pump to the gray tank is outside. Also the interior water lines run along the lowest outer edge of the trailer and behind cabinets. Even with interior heat, the lines can freeze overnight when temps get down below 20.
We volunteer in Yellowstone for about 6 months each year and see all ranges of weather while staying in our Scamp. We have lots of experience dealing with avoiding line freezing in cold weather.
When we have freezing nights and warmer days, we leave our cold water faucet dripping down the kitchen sink at night to keep the city water from freezing. We also keep cabinet doors open so heat will better reach the interior lines. We pour a little antifreeze in the bathroom sink and pump it through the drain pump and filter so they don't freeze overnight.
In our 2016 19' the lines to the bathroom run through the fridge vent which is virtually outside. When we have daytime temps that stay below freezing we opt for winterizing the shower and toilet with antifreeze as those lines freeze first. We have not had any damage to our pumps or lines using these methods since we've had our 19' Scamp. However, we did have our bath pump break from freezing on our older 16' before we figured out the antifreeze before bedtime method.
My two cents would be to use the RV antifreeze rather than try to get around it with heat tape. There are going to be places in the trailer where heat tape won't easily reach.
- Ken