Hi, I am about to enter Alice Springs, and its currently below freezing at night. I was wondering if sub zero temperatures have caused any issues with Motorhomes or Caravans, particularly when the water connected up directly to it.
Looking forward to any comments from any of the Grey Nomads ...
-- Edited by Splottboy on Saturday 14th of July 2018 01:47:22 PM
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Avan Ovation M7 with Fiat Ducato 3 Lire diesel engine, 2 x 160watt rooftop solar panels, 3 x 100a/h batteries, self contained with separate toilet [SOG NO CHEMICALS], and shower, 100 litre fresh water tank and 100 litre grey water tank
When we camp in our van in freezing cold wheather the water in the hose connecting water to the van usually freezes solid,solution disconnect hose overnight reconnect hose next morning...
We leave our hot water on over night to protect the cylinder from freezing & also make sure the kettle is full before going to bed so we can still manage a coffee 1st up in the morning.
David
Having had about a dozen over night temps well below freezing on the current in progress trip, in QLD above the Tropic no less, -7 being the coldest so far and on every occasion below -5 there has been no water available due to frozen water in the plumbing which is underneath the vehicle. The coldest morning resulted in the outside brass tap cracking lengthways and having to be replaced. Didn't leak until about midmorning and everything had liquified again!
I've tried lagging the short runs of plumbing that are exposed without success even though they are under the body and are not exposed directly to the air they still freeze below -5.
The cheap chinese diesel heater has run perfectly, starting reliably on even the coldest morning.
We found that out the hard way last night.
Camped at Guyra on the way to see our Grandies in Tamworth.
Went to flush loo in the middle of the night. Nothing.
Woke up there was Ice in the Van.
Thought pump might work when everything thawed out. Nope.
Never camped in such cold temps before so were caught unaware
Experience is a great teacher isn't it
Honestly. You don't really know cold here! We're from the UK. We recently worked on a caravan park in th UK Lake District in winter when it got to -18c.
So cold even the dump point froze solid for a week. Every van on the parks water froze, both inlets and Sullage.
Then it snowed.
Mind our vans are all double glazed, thermal insulated, and enjoy central heating.....
Different here!
Wrap up and you will be fine!
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Keith & Carol Wylie
Holden Colorado, New Age Road Owl 18 foot. (love em both!)
Lol where we came from in NZ we would cover outside taps and pipes with soil . Or exposed ? A couple of old sacks . I guess these days & camping ? An old tarp . The grounds heat with prevent pipes freezing . Our grass minimum temps went below 15* . We had outside Ajax valve for HWS . Would be the first to freeze . An old potato bag was enough . Assume a cover around bottom of van would help big time .
Thanks everyone for the great replies... We once had -4degC in Tatura Vic and subzero in Binnaway NSW. We then got an Eperspacher Deisel Heater fitted and havent looked back. I guess we could run the deisel heater on say 15degC all night ??
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Avan Ovation M7 with Fiat Ducato 3 Lire diesel engine, 2 x 160watt rooftop solar panels, 3 x 100a/h batteries, self contained with separate toilet [SOG NO CHEMICALS], and shower, 100 litre fresh water tank and 100 litre grey water tank
Thanks Kiwi, I can always rely on you for a good reply..
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Avan Ovation M7 with Fiat Ducato 3 Lire diesel engine, 2 x 160watt rooftop solar panels, 3 x 100a/h batteries, self contained with separate toilet [SOG NO CHEMICALS], and shower, 100 litre fresh water tank and 100 litre grey water tank
Avan Ovation M7 with Fiat Ducato 3 Lire diesel engine, 2 x 160watt rooftop solar panels, 3 x 100a/h batteries, self contained with separate toilet [SOG NO CHEMICALS], and shower, 100 litre fresh water tank and 100 litre grey water tank
Thanks, we have the Eperspacher Heater its just the water pipes we are worried about..
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Avan Ovation M7 with Fiat Ducato 3 Lire diesel engine, 2 x 160watt rooftop solar panels, 3 x 100a/h batteries, self contained with separate toilet [SOG NO CHEMICALS], and shower, 100 litre fresh water tank and 100 litre grey water tank
Avan Ovation M7 with Fiat Ducato 3 Lire diesel engine, 2 x 160watt rooftop solar panels, 3 x 100a/h batteries, self contained with separate toilet [SOG NO CHEMICALS], and shower, 100 litre fresh water tank and 100 litre grey water tank
