How to winterize?

[888dee]

I have searched but not come up with much

we have a '91 Frankia on a peugeot chassis, inboard fresh tank but underslung grey, I have a notion of using it for some ski trips so wonder what advice you can offer to make it more resistant to the cold,

and not just lagging pipes either, I read somewhere, maybe on ukcampsite, about using covers on fridge vents in the winter to stop draughts but not sure, understand this is bad when using gas but what about on 12/240?

thoughts please people

 

[Pioneer]

The underslung grey water tank can be winterised by using insulation boarding, foil backed this prevents water ingress, cut to size and glued on using evostick, and finished off on the edges by ducting tape. Done this in the past with great effect, all supplies from B&Q. Remember to insulate the valve
Reminds me must do mine on this MH.
Happy Camping

 

[888dee]

interesting thought on the grey tank, thanks


and *****, don't worry, i'm not ignoring you

 

[biggirafe]

Don't forget the Van itself, Get a decent battery and ensure the anti freeze is at the correct strength. I hear that the Russians use 100% antifreeze. Whenever I take vehicles into very cold places I also start the engine and run it until the temp guage gets to normal everyday, this helps to keep the battery conditioned and also helps to ensure the diesel does not wax in the tank. Its also a great way of warming up the whole vehicle a bit like lighting a fire in the lounge the heat from the exhaust pipe and engine seems to get everywhere.

 

[mlynnf50]

Dont forget the snow chains, we have already had some snow and more forecast, you can wild camp here in La Chapelle and ski lift on the door step, good luck

 

[Deleted member 3011]

The underslung grey water tank can be winterised by using insulation boarding, foil backed this prevents water ingress, cut to size and glued on using evostick, and finished off on the edges by ducting tape. Done this in the past with great effect, all supplies from B&Q. Remember to insulate the valve
Reminds me must do mine on this MH.
Happy Camping

Insulating a tank merely delays the inevitable. May be effective when the temperatures drop below freezing for a few hours, but if it is below freezing for more than a day, it is likely to freeze no matter how much insulation you use.

 

[Pioneer]

Insulating a tank merely delays the inevitable. May be effective when the temperatures drop below freezing for a few hours, but if it is below freezing for more than a day, it is likely to freeze no matter how much insulation you use.

Quite right Tony, would not leave my grey water in the tank for more than a few hours, apart from the smell aspect the tanks on newish coach builds are not large enough to store the grey. Drain frequently is the answer.

Happy Camping

 

[peejay]

Insulating a tank merely delays the inevitable. May be effective when the temperatures drop below freezing for a few hours, but if it is below freezing for more than a day, it is likely to freeze no matter how much insulation you use.

...and if you have insulated the tank it will consequently take much longer to thaw out as well. The only failsafe way would be to introduce some kind of heat to the area, some manufacturers have ducted the blown air heating around the tank but I wouldn't think it would be an easy diy job.

The easiest method with an underslung grey tank in sub zero conditions is to leave the drain tap open and bung a bucket underneath. worse case scenario, its far easier to thaw out a bucket than a tank

Pete

 

[888dee]

insulating the tank sounded like a good idea but what tony has said makes sense as does what peejay says....


think a bucket it is then