Winterised (1 Viewer)

DBK

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Jan 9, 2013
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Depends entirely on the time versus temperature. Low temps equal a short time before everything freezes. But at say zero or minus one it could last for much longer but it will still freeze eventually.

Which is of no practical help but I think the only safe thing to do is to drain everything if a freeze is forecast.

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Feb 22, 2011
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In theory 0 degree C

In practice it takes a few days of sub zero tempretures to penetrate the van fully.
But don`t take a chance, use it or drain down fully for the winter :nod:
 
Feb 24, 2013
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not long enough
more seriously does the spec of the MH claim anything temperature wise

and I guess it would depend on what you mean by freezing up

my toilet flush froze at -12C but nothing else was affected, apart from an almighty draft round the hab door

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OP
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Mar 31, 2015
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Autotrail 660 merc
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SINCE 2012
Fancy going away for Christmas just wondering how far I can go without
running into trouble.
Looked for info on net for auto trail but found nothing.
But there again my wife says I never look enough, can't see what's in from of my eyes.
Can you buy heaters for water tanks.
 
Feb 24, 2013
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not long enough
it is quite likely your water (clean) is inside already, so unless you like it really cold inside that will not be an issue

Biggest issue might be grey water freezing, we have a heated tank, but the outlet valve has still frozen

I would think the toilet might be the biggest risk being on the outside and fairly critical

But in reality if you keep the inside warm enough for you to use I doubt it will freeze, anyway we haven't had a decent hard winter in the UK for many years, go for it, see what happens, but do report back :)(y)
 
D

Deleted member 29692

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Fancy going away for Christmas just wondering how far I can go without
running into trouble.
Looked for info on net for auto trail but found nothing.
But there again my wife says I never look enough, can't see what's in from of my eyes.
Can you buy heaters for water tanks.

If you're using the van then, assuming you use the heating, it shouldn't get cold enough to cause you issues. It would get too cold for you to sleep in it before anything froze up.

It's when you leave it parked up for a long period and don't drain down that you're likely to have a problem.

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Theonlysue

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Sep 14, 2009
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Not long enough!
Sometimes it's because the pipework itself freezes being ran outside underneath the van.
 

jonandshell

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Dec 12, 2010
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Sue is right.
In UK conditions, the pipes underneath will be the problem long before any of the tanks.
If the freezing conditions are persistent, then everything will freeze eventually. I am assuming all your water system is underslung rather than inside the van.
 
Jul 26, 2015
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If the only tank under the van is the waste tank you can add some anti freeze to the tank after each dissposal to prevent freezing!

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haganap

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Dec 5, 2007
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If the only tank under the van is the waste tank you can add some anti freeze to the tank after each dissposal to prevent freezing!


Sorry but that doesn't work.

Simply put...the freezing takes place even before it makes it to the tank. Also it must be something to do with vacant space un like in a car coolant system but that's a guess..

I have tried and experimented on things like this for many years. I even once used a ratio of 40% anti freeze in the tank and it still froze... (please bare in mind I'm talking ski resort winter in British van).

The only way to ensure your waste does not freeze is to ensure its either heated between floors or that its actually heaten by heating elements. If you do not have these fitted you can find them via cak tanks.
Fresh water is much the same ..needs a defrost element unless your tank is inside the van.

As stated above anything else will depend on your pipe work and where its placed. I've seen some terribly built brit and euro vans that are described as winterized but wouldn't take theme out on an icy day...

But noone can answer the OP past because there are too many permeables ..
It's possible your van could freeze whilst you sleep only for you to wake up and not know it's happened... much will depend on length of time at sub 0 and even how long your water runs for as in normal circumstances running water won't freeze...so leaving tie waste open and draining will prevent that from freezing.. unless you go to real man territory like a few of us on here @jonandshell etc whereby if you spit or cry it freezes

If your plan is for a sharp frosty winter in the UK you would generally be OK unless it was an extreme one. Just make sure you have bottled water and nothing else will matter. .

My toilet has never froze though?
 
Sep 25, 2009
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south yorkshire
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coachbuilt
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since 2004. Tugger 10 years on and off
We use ours throughout the winter.I never leave waste tap closed.A bucket under to catch waste water.We have had.temperatures of -10 in Derbyshire.Never had a problem.I saw quite a few vans with waste tank frozen.Lots with electric fan heaters underneath van trying to thaw out.Not a good Idea.As long as you have heating on you shouldn't have any problems.Get out and try it.Winter is a great time of year,
 
Jul 29, 2013
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The Cheyene 696g we used to have had tanks outside so anything below freezing you need to be careful.

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OP
OP
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Mar 31, 2015
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Autotrail 660 merc
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Tanks are under nerth, fresh in inserlated
Except for pipes going into and out of tanks all pipes run inside of van
So I recon if I inserlate everything underneath and leve heating on should be ok.
Thanks for info
Andy
 

Bart

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Jun 4, 2016
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how much are water tank heaters ? for self install
OFC i would want to be lagging any pipes and also any underslung tanks anyways
 

haganap

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Dec 5, 2007
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I'm an oldbie MH number 9
how much are water tank heaters ? for self install
OFC i would want to be lagging any pipes and also any underslung tanks anyways
Paid about 70 pound for m I ne

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