2015 Elkridge 38 RSRT - Temps in the teens and wind chill is -2 right now. In our attempts to keep us and the RV warm, while staying here during this severe weather event, we installed window film to keep the cold out; however, that has created icing and condensation around the window frames. Also, although our RV is supposed to have underbelly heating, something has frozen, as we have no water; the pump runs but no water. We have a light inside the UDC but no idea where the freezing has taken place. We placed skirting around the north side and east/west end of the RV, which is where the wind is coming from. We'd read some on preparing for below freezing weather, but could not find anything regarding the windows. The timing of the severe weather, remote area and dangerous road conditions, kept us from obtaining additional skirting materials and other insulating materials to completely enclose and protect the underside. Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Frigid In Texas-winterizing issues!
- Thread starter jrsford
- Start date
danemayer
Well-known member
If the pump is not drawing water, you may have ice in the fresh tank drain. There's water between the underbelly coroplast and the drain valve that freezes when temps drop below 32 (F). The ice can wick up into the tee and block the line. Try a hair dryer on the valve, drain tubing, and the tee just above the coroplast. You may have to put heat tape on that line.
The kitchen lines will often freeze too. Skirting will help. A mini-skirt made from 3/4" foam board will help. Place a ceramic disc heater on a piece of wood (to keep it dry), inside the skirting.
Our owner-written Water Systems Winter Usage Guide has more info and tips.
The kitchen lines will often freeze too. Skirting will help. A mini-skirt made from 3/4" foam board will help. Place a ceramic disc heater on a piece of wood (to keep it dry), inside the skirting.
Our owner-written Water Systems Winter Usage Guide has more info and tips.
Danemayer, we did consult the water systems winter usage guide, unfortunately after we were already running the risk of being on the hazardous road to obtain materials. The nearest Home Depot/Lowes is 25 mi. away, and nothing closer to us is open on Sunday. We made due with lights, R panel and plywood for skirting, plus tarps to help insulate. We are a bit confused as to how to access the pump to get to the fresh water line that feeds into it. It appears that it is in the sealed underbelly. Wind chill is also keeping us from investigating further on that.
Any advise in the windows?
Any advise in the windows?
danemayer
Well-known member
Condensation on the windows is from high humidity and warm air inside with very cold temps outside. When you have the RV closed up in the winter, your exhaled breath, showers, etc. raise the humidity.
Our 1st ski season in the Colorado mountains, we took a humidifier with us. But the air there was so dry that we ended up having to buy a humidifier instead.
You may want to check your mattress. Condensation where it contacts the slideout walls can freeze on the sheets or even lead to mold. Pull the head of the mattress away from the wall an inch or two to allow air to circulate. Stick a piece of wood or plastic in the gap to hold it in place. If the sides are getting wet, buy a couple of low profile baking tins at the nearest Walmart and drill 1/4" holes around the perimeter. Then tuck them in on each side. Air will circulate through the holes.
Generally, in the 5th wheels, the water pump will be found on the main deck level, behind a removable wall on the south (rear) side of the pass-through front storage bay. Generally, the pump is screwed to the floor and is found behind the UDC.
You can identify the inlet or suction side of the pump from the clear plastic strainer basket/bowl on that side. Generally, the suction line is 1/2" PEX and runs from the pump to the freshwater tank. The suction line connects to the tank with a 1/2" NPT fitting that is connected to a spin-welded connector on the north (front) wall of the tank, at the bottom of that wall (but not on the bottom of the tank).
Coaches that have the Yeti (arctic) packages will have a heat wire the traces this long suction line and pipe insulation is usually used to cover the suction line with the heat wire inside the wrap as well.
As for where the freshwater drain line plumbs into the tank, I can't recall. Could be another spin-welded connector on the side wall of the tank. Both the suction line and the freshwater tank drain line/valve can be culprits. And as Dan has mentioned in the past, if your coach is equipped with low-point drains (some of our brands are, some are not), these too can be likely culprits.
On edit: Looking back at a picture of an 80 gal freshwater tank I removed for cleaning etc. from a Landmark, my tank drain looks to by side-by-side with the suction line. Here's a link to a post that has a picture of the tank (picture 6 of 37). Note that the tank is upside down in this picture.
https://heartlandowners.org/showthr...rk-365-Ashland?p=477793&viewfull=1#post477793
TravelTiger
Founding Texas-West Chapter Leaders-Retired
When we took our ElkRidge into colder temperatures during the winter, we always seemed to be battling the condensation. Not so much in the Big Country we have now. So I think it’s just a bi-product of the line — an ElkRidge is more of a seasonal coach, meant for spring-to-fall camping. A dehumidifier or even a “Damp-rid” product, might help.
We also had water issues. It won’t help at the moment, but consider adding a heat cable to the lines that run from the fresh tank to the pump, and the lines to the kitchen sink.
https://www.annodindustries.com/sho...f-regulating-self-limiting-heating-cable.html
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We also had water issues. It won’t help at the moment, but consider adding a heat cable to the lines that run from the fresh tank to the pump, and the lines to the kitchen sink.
https://www.annodindustries.com/sho...f-regulating-self-limiting-heating-cable.html
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
SarahElkridge
Member
Not made for cold temps....now the repairs
Thank you for this idea. I am brand new to this forum and we bought a 2014 37 ultimate last summer. Lots of problems that were not disclosed by seller and not noticeable until using. We pulled ours outside for me to stay in now because of covid within family and Temps have been high and low. Fresh water tank leaks, or the lines. Tons of water under camper. Front black tank has water that froze while dripping at mid point of pipe underneath. Water to kitchen must freeze up and I don't know that our sensors of tank levels are correct.
Thank you for this idea. I am brand new to this forum and we bought a 2014 37 ultimate last summer. Lots of problems that were not disclosed by seller and not noticeable until using. We pulled ours outside for me to stay in now because of covid within family and Temps have been high and low. Fresh water tank leaks, or the lines. Tons of water under camper. Front black tank has water that froze while dripping at mid point of pipe underneath. Water to kitchen must freeze up and I don't know that our sensors of tank levels are correct.
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