RVing is not a one-weather job. Throughout the journey and trip, you’d have to face all weather conditions, and it’s a must that your RV is prepared for different atmospheric elements.
And learning how to keep RV pipes from freezing while camping is one of those special skills you must learn to tackle environmental challenges. Freezing conditions are one of the biggest challenges for those who like driving in different parts of the country.
Traveling to the north without an in-depth understanding of how to maneuver through the cold and misty areas may turn out to be a highly challenging job. That’s why you should have proper knowledge before stepping into these areas.
How to Keep RV Pipes from Freezing While Camping
Keeping the RV pipes protected from freezing isn’t easy, but this issue can easily be tackled with the required information and swift actions. Let’s look at some of the key ways you can save it from freezing.
#1. Letting the Water Run
One of the most common ways to prevent water from freezing is avoiding stillness. When the water sits still, the possibility of it being frozen remains high.
That’s why it’s a common practice among many localities to keep a tap running all the time, so the water doesn’t just freeze out cold.
One of the typical RVer’s issues is the shortage and limited nature of their water reserve.
But, you don’t need to keep the line running with an immense amount of water at once. Instead, you can stay bare minimum steam running close to a pencil’s thickness.
It’s a good idea to practice, especially in places where you can refill the water quickly.
But in a place where there are no natural resources of water available, this may not be the wisest choice to go ahead with.
#2. Utilizing Heat Tapes
Another highly effective measure which you can implement is the use of heat tapes. Heat tapes are specially designed videos that can protect the pipes from getting cold and reaching inside.
When you wrap them around the pipes, they act as a protective barrier from the cold outside.
This would offer the first line of defense against freezing water and make it a lot easier to keep the water inside the pipes warm and protected against constant freezing.
#3. Heating Pad
Some experts would just go for a heating pad instead of all these complicated methodologies. What’s it?
A heating pad is a device that can be attached to your RV water freshwater tank reserve to keep the water warm.
The simple rule is that the warmer the water, the less likely it will be frozen. So, the heating pad works based on this theory and keeps the water at the required temperature levels where freezing remains low.
Smart heating pad solutions also come with an onboard thermostat, automatically adjusting heat levels due to outer temperature. In sunny mornings, it would lower down the heat, saving energy.
While at night, it’d increase the level of warmth so that the below-freezing temperatures outside don’t meddle with the water.
#4. Insulating Pipes
Layers of insulation is perhaps one of the most effective methods to go about it. Because many RVs would come with exposed water and sewage lines. These open and exposed pipes are the main target of the cold weather.
That’s why getting the RV water lines insulated is the primary job before going to colder regions.
It’s best to call professional help and ask them to get a quality RV insulation spray on the pipes.
The best insulation that needs to be used is closed-cell spray foam insulation.
One of the key mechanisms that insulation uses is utilizing the pre-existing heat to keep the lines up and running and not letting them down by the severe cold outside.
#5. Increase the Internal Temperature
Another smart solution is keeping the internal temperature high. Having a higher internal temperature can indeed affect the state of the pipes and save them from freezing.
While camping in winter, keeping the RV temperatures up should be a common practice for the users. Too much exposure to cold can lead to catastrophic health disasters.
That’s why having a heated RV interior is a must. Now, while the room is heated,.keeping the kitchen cabinets and bathroom open would carry the heat in the RV plumbing as well.
And thus, the water pipes can be kept warm using the already utilized RV’s inside heat source.
#6. Using a heated hose
Using a heated hose is a great option to prevent your pipes from freezing.
So what are your options? This Camco heating hose gets excellent reviews on Amazon.
- Provides Freeze Protection: Self-regulating heating cable is ideal for water line freeze protection down to -20°F (-28°C); Hose Length: Hose measures 25-feet long
- Includes an Energy-Saving Thermostat: Thermostat only heats as needed, saving money on your electric bill
Last update on 2023-03-25 / Paid Affiliate Link / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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Final Thoughts
Well, we’ve gone through a long list of different mechanisms that can be utilized to keep the water and sewage pipes running.
The northern cold combined with frequent snowstorms can lead to deadly conditions, especially for RVers. That’s why they should be readied correctly in any possible difficult circumstances.
Our guide has openly demonstrated how to keep RV pipes from freezing. Try the simple methods yourself and find the most effective one that suits you.
Once ready, get out in the face of all the weather conditions and enjoy the RV life without any restrictions right away!
