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Topic: Keep grey tank valve open in freezing weather? Why? (Read 155 times) previous topic - next topic
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Keep grey tank valve open in freezing weather? Why?
The owner's manual says in the "Cold Weather Camping" section "You must leave the wall furnace on, water heater on, grey water tank gate in the 'open' position ...." when camping in temperatures down to 25 degrees. We are camping in Shenandoah National Park this week and the low on Friday is forecast to be 30 degrees.  We don't understand why leaving the grey tank gate in the open position should matter. Can anyone shed some light on this? Thanks!
2019  31 IB
Re: Keep grey tank valve open in freezing weather? Why?
Reply #1 –
It won’t. Ignore it. 30 degrees at night isn’t cold enough to cause a problem.


I suspect that the owners manual advice is for very cold weather like a high of 30. Freezing water could crack the plastic around the valve.  In reality, I don’t think it’s a common issue.

Rich
2003 MB
Re: Keep grey tank valve open in freezing weather? Why?
Reply #2 –
We do lots, okay some, cold weather camping.  <smile> In fact we are heading out tomorrow to the coast.   Lows 30's highs 60's.   Have no plans to change anything we do then in weather of lows of 80's high of 100.   Okay we'll keep the windows closed and wear a few more garments use the heater not the a/c.     Freezing for one or two days is not an issue IMHO.  

glen
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King
 
Re: Keep grey tank valve open in freezing weather? Why?
Reply #3 –
The grey tank contents can freeze more easily than the black tank.  If the contents do freeze, that freezing starts at the dump valve.  Ice behind the dump valve can make it impossible to pull that valve open until the ice melts.  The idea of opening the dump valve is that it may be easier to open the cap than the valve if the contents have begun to freeze.

Does it matter?  Probably not, because if there is ice blocking the dump valve or cap, you will not be able to dump the grey tank until the ice melts.

Ken F in NM
'08 MB