How do you keep water lines freezing when camping in the winter?

[hflors]

DH would like to take our TT to Maryland for our Christmas visit with the family.  The RV park is open and supplies water and sewage and elec.  I don't understand how the lines would not freeze since the temps are usually below 32F  in Maryland in December.  Our TT has an "extreme insulation"  as the previous owners took the TT to Alaska.  I can see that with this it might keep the pipes under the TT from freezing, but how to keep the hose from the fresh water to the tt from the spicket is what I can't figure out.  Would anyone who has done "winter" camping be able to comment.  Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Back2PA]

You'd need a heated water hose. Unless you are parking long term, it is easier to just fill the water tank and use that with no connections except electric, until briefly needed to refill or dump.

 

[SeilerBird]

I would not bother to hook up a water line. Use the on board water. If it runs out then hook up the hose and fill it back up then put the hose away.

 

[Larry N.]

DH would like to take our TT to Maryland for our Christmas visit with the family.  The RV park is open and supplies water and sewage and elec.  I don't understand how the lines would not freeze since the temps are usually below 32F  in Maryland in December.  Our TT has an "extreme insulation"  as the previous owners took the TT to Alaska.  I can see that with this it might keep the pipes under the TT from freezing, but how to keep the hose from the fresh water to the tt from the spicket is what I can't figure out.  Would anyone who has done "winter" camping be able to comment.  Any help would be appreciated.

Typically, if daytime temps are above freezing, I'll connect the hose during the day, if needed to top off the water tank, or to wash clothes, shower, etc. but I'll disconnect it at night. If daytime temps are freezing I'll only hook up long enough to get water in the tank, and perhaps not hook up at all if daytime temps are much under 30? F for a high. At times that may mean using what's available in the campground shower room, dishwashing room, etc. if my tank gets too low (can make it a week on a full tank without much trouble).

Similar deal on the sewage, only hook up long enough to dump in order to avoid freezing those lines.

 

[Hanr3]

I too would only use the on-board fresh water tank.

I highly recommend you call the campground to confirm fresh water supply and that the dump station is open. Just because the campground is open doesn't mean it will supply water. I'm in Central IL. and our campsites are open all year, however they turn the water off during the first hard freeze. Your going to be further north.

Not sure how long your staying, however confirm you have enough fresh water capacity. If not, you will need a source of fresh water to refill. Refilling has it's own set of problems. Pack up the camper and find water, or use a portable water supply and refill on-site. You could always refill at a family members house.

 

[kdbgoat]

We're on the Delmarva penninsula and do the same as above.

 

[Rene T]

We have CG's here in New England which are open year round. Some have water at every site and I've seen some that have a spigot for water at the main office. The on'es with water at the sites have what they call a hydrant. The shut off is 4' below ground so the water doesn't freeze. When you shut the water off, the water drains into the ground. You either have to wrap the hydrant and your hose with heat tape then insulation, or shut off the hydrant and disconnect/drain your hose. 

 

[John From Detroit]

What I do in cold weather is fill the on-board fresh tank, Keep water heater active and use on bosrd. The hoses. (If even out of storage) are all drained  I leave 'em hooked up (Well the waste line) but empty.. Fresh I disconnect and drain. Leave disconnected.

OF course I have enclosed plumbing and heated.

YOu have some exposed waste piping. that you can use heat tape on

 

[Senator]

Assuming you have full hookups, and the gray water dump valve open, leave the water running very slow in one of the sinks overnight when it gets cold.  If it's only for a few days, it will be fine that way.

Otherwise, you have to disconnect and hope the spigot doesn't freeze.  Or just fill the tank and use the tank water and pump.