Re: Holding tank insulation Reply #25 – January 05, 2008, 08:03:59 am Yahoo Message Number: 87904"On my '06, the insulating goo goes right to the end."So does mine, Dave--but that didn't stop my valves from freezing a couple of times last winter. As Chris said, insulation can only delay the inevitable... usually by a day or two."The only problem with that is I am much more likely to boondock in the winter and have no power. Therefore, I'd be in trouble sooner with non-powered heaters than with insulation."Go back and take a look at Mike's posts in which he lays out his strategy. He didn't install insulation over his tank heaters (though he did insulate over his pipe heaters)... but the way he figures it, every couple of weeks when he needs to dump, he'll go to a campground with electric hookups for a day, and plug in those heaters to get things liquid. To me that seems like the only workable strategy for long-term below-freezing camping.Now if you're a weekend camper, insulation might keep things from freezing up for a couple of days, especially if temperatures go below freezing at night but warm up during the day. Based on my own experience with insulated tanks and pipes, I wouldn't bet on it, though.But if you spend a week or two in consistently sub-freezing temperatures, your tanks and pipes are going to freeze with or without insulation--no two ways about it. At that point you can get under the coach with a hair dryer for an hour or so, or you can use tank and pipe heaters. Personally, I'd choose the latter. ;-) Either way, as long as it stays below freezing, sooner or later you will need an electric hookup to thaw those frozen tanks. That's just a reality of winter camping. Of course, there's a simpler solution to all this. After all, your rig has wheels for a reason. ;-) If you're worried about freezing tanks, you can always just point the nose south and drive.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Holding tank insulation Reply #26 – January 05, 2008, 09:28:56 am Yahoo Message Number: 87907http://www.thepett.com/>If I knew I were going to be in sub-freezing weather, I would just dry camp - literally - by emptying both tanks, stowing the hoses, using sparing amounts of water from containers, and keeping a few Wag Bags on hand (see above).To purchase:Single use:http://www.scoutgear.com/as709998.html>Cheaper by the dozen:http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?AFC-googlebase&productId=4293171&engine=googlebase&keyword=11129>They are available from Camping World also, at a dollar more per box, but the shipping from New Jersey (Campmor) might make it worthwhile to pick them up from Camping World if you are in the store.I'm wondering if one could go ahead and put the water down into the grey tank without harm, knowing that emptying could be delayed.We occasionally have been in sub-freezing weather with no special "heat tricks" on the water system, and the only limitations were getting the faucets to work, being able to open the slide valve in the toilet to flush it, and getting the dump handle to work to empty the tanks. A bit of time in the sun helped.Having acquired a nice collection of urinals from the hospitals (!!!!), I can see where these might come in mighty handy in cold weather while Lazy Daze'ing! ;->Virtual hugs,Judie Grounded (temporarily) in - Tucson, Arizona
Re: Holding tank insulation Reply #27 – January 05, 2008, 09:50:14 am Yahoo Message Number: 87908Far too complicated, Andy. For defrost, I just park over the nearest campfire (after making sure all guns on board are unloaded bumper Yonder, Minden, NV - - lookin' out at a foot of new snow and getting ready to plow 200' of driveway
Re: Holding tank insulation Reply #28 – January 05, 2008, 10:59:09 am Yahoo Message Number: 87910"For defrost, I just park over the nearest campfire"Dang! Why didn't I think of that? ;-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Holding tank insulation Reply #29 – January 05, 2008, 11:30:53 am Yahoo Message Number: 87912Quote "For defrost, I just park over the nearest campfire"Dang! Why didn't I think of that? ;-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/ OK, to make this message an even #30 in this thread, how about this for a WA suggestion for keeping the holding tanks thawed when boondocking (absolutely no hookups): Skirt the LD; use an Extend-A- Flow connection from the propane tank; use some sort of propane heater (catalytic or otherwise) and keep the underside near the tanks heated - at least above freeezing. Probably a little dangerous but maybe someone has tried something like this???Chris
Re: Holding tank insulation Reply #30 – January 05, 2008, 11:41:24 am Yahoo Message Number: 87913Quote "For defrost, I just park over the nearest campfire"Dang! Why didn't I think of that? ;-)Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/OK, to make this message an even #30 in this thread, how about this for a WA suggestion for keeping the holding tanks thawed when boondocking (absolutely no hookups): Skirt the LD; use an Extend-A- Flow connection from the propane tank; use some sort of propane heater (catalytic or otherwise) and keep the underside near the tanks heated - at least above freeezing. Probably a little dangerous but maybe someone has tried something like this???Chris I think I am just going to stay home when it is really cold.... ;-)
Re: Holding tank insulation Reply #31 – January 05, 2008, 11:46:38 am Yahoo Message Number: 87914hrisBefore we put the heat tape on our valves, we used to use an extension cord with a worklight (25w bulb) under the rig. Worked pretty well with no skirting. For us, though, the heat tape on the valves has been completely adequate. That was when we were still hooked up.As yo boondocking
Re: Holding tank insulation Reply #32 – January 05, 2008, 12:57:32 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87917Quote "...Skirt the LD; use an Extend-A-Flow connection from the propane tank; use some sort of propane heater (catalytic or otherwise) and keep the underside near the tanks heated..."Quote Chris Chris and others...I had it first hand from a guy who worked the Alaska Pipeline that they used to fire up Coleman camp stoves under the oil pan before breakfast. By the time they were through eating the oil would be warm enough to start the vehicle. I'm not advocating this for the dump valves on a LD however. ;-}Steve S. Lazy Bones & Jiggs
Re: Holding tank insulation Reply #33 – January 05, 2008, 01:58:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87922I have been waiting for the Dollar per Turd economic analysis of the insulation vs. non-insulation and the NanoWatt per Turd comparisons of valve heaters vs. pipe heaters vs. tank heaters and any and all combinations. What's wrong boys?
Holding tank insulation Reply #34 – January 05, 2008, 02:38:02 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87923The great "Terry (LED) Tanner" t2trails@...> authored: "I have been waiting for the Dollar per Turd economic analysis of the insulation vs. non-insulation and the NanoWatt per Turd comparisons of valve heaters vs. pipe heaters vs. tank heaters and any and all combinations. What's wrong boys?" I laughed so hard I deposited 50 cents worth in my shorts. Now normally, this would be a problem and bother me, but not to worry, my shorts are insulated. :>)Slammy5150/Paul[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Holding tank insulation - end of thread! Reply #35 – January 05, 2008, 04:46:50 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87932Quote The great "Terry (LED) Tanner" authored: "I have been waiting for the Dollar per Turd economic analysis of the insulation vs. non-insulation and the NanoWatt per Turd comparisons of valve heaters vs. pipe heaters vs. tank heaters and any and all combinations. What's wrong boys?""I laughed so hard I deposited 50 cents worth in my shorts. Now normally, this would be a problem and bother me, but not to worry, my shorts are insulated. :>)"Quote Slammy5150/Paul I guess the two posts above officially bring the "Holding Tank Insulation" thread to an end. Best laugh I've had in a long time!Chris
Re: Holding tank insulation Reply #36 – January 05, 2008, 06:25:35 pm Yahoo Message Number: 87939From one who lives in Vermont. We have traveled by RV in freezing temperatures to and from warmer climates. Our water tank is empty and our HWH is drained and bypassed. We do not have trouble with freeze up till the temperature goes below zero degrees F. We start with empty B/G tanks. We flush with Blue windshield washer fluid poured out of the Jug, I fill a spray bottle with the same fluid and spray the toilet to keep it fresh. We also use this or pink stuff in the grey tank too. We use Bottled gallon jugs of water for drinking and cooking. I learned about the winshield washer fluid from the local charter bus company that uses this all winter in their coaches lavatories. These busses are stored outside all winter, it works for them. I was surprised how much of a bus lavatory system uses the same dump valves and hardware we use on RV's. I did have freeze up problems one year because I did not put enough washer fluid in and -25 degrees gave me a freeze up. A couple of hours in the heated bus wash bay let me drain and I was lucky with no broken parts. I bought Andy's "EUREKA", great! I am now between coaches and like what I read about the Lazy Days, I'll be watching for a good used one. Lloyd Evarts, Shelburne, VT[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Topic: Placed my order today..... (Read 14 times)
previous topic - next topic
Topic: Placed my order today..... (Read 14 times)
previous topic - next topic