cold weather usage

[Gerry]

We have an 2020 Imagine 2670MK with the Artic Package. So I know the underbelly and universal docking station are heated by ductwork from the furnace. AND I know the unit is NOT designed for below freezing operation. BUT my question is this-will the furnace ductwork keep the holding tanks and water lines from freezing IF the temps get to 30 degrees? I would expect to wrap the drainage pipes in heated tape because they are exposed. BUT what about the enclosed underbelly? Does the ductwork keep this area from freezing at high 20 something degrees?

[howson]

We have an 2020 Imagine 2670MK with the Artic Package. So I know the underbelly and universal docking station are heated by ductwork from the furnace. AND I know the unit is NOT designed for below freezing operation. BUT my question is this-will the furnace ductwork keep the holding tanks and water lines from freezing IF the temps get to 30 degrees? I would expect to wrap the drainage pipes in heated tape because they are exposed. BUT what about the enclosed underbelly? Does the ductwork keep this area from freezing at high 20 something degrees?

For clarification...the unit will remain stationary during the cold weather? (Traveling in below-freezing temps can be a challenge!)

I did a search on the forum using "cold weather" and then another with the word "freeze OR freezing" and there were quite a few threads returned. In one of them motocamper stated they do a lot of cold weather camping. Hopefully they'll see this and will pass on a few tips to you.

Others here are much more knowledgeable than me on this topic, so I expect you'll see a few inputs soon.

Howard

P.S. Please post an after-the-fact report and let us know what worked for you (and maybe just as importantly what didn't and why).

[d2reid]

We have an 2020 Imagine 2670MK with the Artic Package.... I would expect to wrap the drainage pipes in heated tape because they are exposed.

I am unfamiliar with the Imagines so can't address all of your questions. The Artic Package usually includes tank heaters. If there is a button or control marked tank heaters you will know. They are normally thermostatically controlled and when in the on position will start to heat when the temps drop below 40f.

For a couple of years I wrapped sewer pipes and hoses, then a couple of years I didn't. What I found was that you have to pay special attention to angle of the sewer hose, It must have downward slope the entire length. Once that is accomplished, you just close the valves, when the sewer pipe/hose is drained it will not freeze. But, if there is a low spot someplace that will freeze and block drainage. Then once every three or four days you do a big dump, drain the tanks all at once, then close them back up.

A couple of other cold weather tips: Skirting helps, a lot. Put some type of sacrificial material under the jacks, metal jack pad can freeze to concrete. Open cabinet doors at night. Don't run just electric heat, use both propane and electric, underbelly is heated by the propane heater. Clear Shrink Film Window Insulation Kit really helps with windows. Get a pillow for the vent in the ceiling. Keep a broom by the door, stairs get really treacherous. If you have a diesel hook up the engine block heater.

There are 3 strategies for the water hose:
1. Fill the internal water tank, disconnect the hose and drain it.
2. Wrap water hose with heat tape and insulation.
3. Buy a heated water hose.

Pay attention to the hose connections, they need some type of insulation also. I buy a cheap plastic garbage can and place it over the water spigot, just blocking the wind helps.

I bought a multi-sensor weather station that allows me to have 4 thermometers, I keep on in the kitchen, one outside, the other two I put inside bay doors to keep an eye on low belly temps.

Good luck and have fun winter camping, we do.

[SBARLAG]

Additional measures: Menards sell 'Reflectix" which can be cut to fit windows/skylights. Maybe see if you can get some Therma-foil that GD uses for insulation. Also, face the side with the most windows away from the West side, perhaps try the South-more sunlight. Snuggling is another good option

[Gerry]

Everyone re, thank you for your replies. In response to some of your questions, we do not have a switch to turn on tank heaters. On the Imagine models, we are informed that a ductwork from the furnace is directed into the underbelly to heat this area. How well that works is a question in my mind. I don't know where that ductwork is nor where it is directed. I wish I had more information regarding this.
Again, thank all of you for your responses.

[howson]

Everyone re, thank you for your replies. In response to some of your questions, we do not have a switch to turn on tank heaters. On the Imagine models, we are informed that a ductwork from the furnace is directed into the underbelly to heat this area. How well that works is a question in my mind. I don't know where that ductwork is nor where it is directed. I wish I had more information regarding this.
Again, thank all of you for your responses.

Gerry,
I "stole" the picture below from my soft hose replacement thread. Ignore the red arrows--look inside the blue box and look for the blue arrow. See the duct it is pointing to? This is how GD gets heat from the furnace under the floor.

In this specific case the opening is pointing (and is near) the fresh water tank to keep the contents from freezing.



Howard

[d2reid]

ductwork from the furnace is directed into the underbelly to heat this area. How well that works is a question in my mind.

In my Momentum 376TH it works well. I too had concerns about it, so I added a remote thermometer to the area to monitor the temps. Out of stock on the one I posted but there are other options available.

[motocamper]

We have camped in our Momentum with lows in the mid to low 20's without a problem. I turned the tank heaters on, filled the fresh tank and used the pump, and only dumped the grey when needed. I used the combo of a space heater, fireplace, and the furnace to keep things warm. I like to limit my propane usage, but I still want it to cycle some to keep the underbelly warm. I used this method with our old Sportsmen toyhauler too. The challenge is camping when the highs don't get above freezing. That isn't nearly as fun lol.

[TheNescios]

From what I've read and been told, there is enough heat from the furnace an tank heaters to keep things from freezing, and a water supply line with the built in heat tape will keep the supply line from freezing..... but.... I needed more for peace of mind.
Have always had a simple weather station and kept the one from our home when we moved into our 3740BH, but the outdoor sensor has been having issues so got looking for a new one.
Not only do the new ones have lots of great features, they support multiple sensors and link to our smart phones! You can set low & high temperature alerts, humidity alerts, and with the optional sensors get alerts for the functions they have.
The outside kitchen with faucet and garage where the water comes in have been on my mind for leaks and temperature, as luck would have it, the weather station I picked up has optional temperature/water sensors available for $30 +/-. I've ordered 2 of them to put in the outside kitchen and garage area for peace of mind regarding the temperature with the added benefit of getting leak detection at the same time.
We're full time and have internet so the wi-fi requirement isn't an issue, but if you didn't have wi-fi what we've purchase wouldn't be able to alert your smart phone.
Not sure how well this will all work, but the price is reasonable enough to give it a try?
Chris

[howson]

Not sure how well this will all work, but the price is reasonable enough to give it a try?Chris

Chris--I'd be interested in reading your review.

On a related note, I forget if this has already been discussed but don't forget about protecting your low point drains. One solution that's been mentioned (and what I use at home the few times a year it gets that cold here in NW Florida) is a faucet sock. Easy to store when not in use, too. I especially like how they can be tightened around irregularly shaped objects.

Howard

Random Sample from Amazon (lots of choices that are similar)

[Second Chance]

Chris--I'd be interested in reading your review.

On a related note, I forget if this has already been discussed but don't forget about protecting your low point drains. One solution that's been mentioned (and what I use at home the few times a year it gets that cold here in NW Florida) is a faucet sock. Easy to store when not in use, too. I especially like how they can be tightened around irregularly shaped objects.

Howard

Random Sample from Amazon (lots of choices that are similar)

Howard,

I don't know if the S-Class Solitudes are different, but the rest of the newer ones have the valves for the low point drains up inside the heated utility bay. Only an open-ended piece of Pex passes through the bottom of that compartment (and it drains when the valve is closed). I had to do stuff like you've shown when we had our Reflection, though.

Rob