Date:         Tue, 21 Oct 1997 22:31:57 -0700
Reply-To:     Rick Gordon <rickgo@HALCYON.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Rick Gordon <rickgo@HALCYON.COM>
Subject:      re Do lines freeze when winter camping
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

>
>Has anyone used their eurovan or westy for camping in the winter?
>
>Say you were in the mountains for a few days and it was below freezing do you
>need to worry about the water lines freezing?  I assume you would have to
>empty the water out and put in antifreeze.
>
>This would be a hassle if travelling during the season when it is warm in the
>day but may go below freezing at night.
>
>Any opinion or experience would be appreicated.
>

I've had mine out all winter without a problem. But I don't live in Canada
either. I do drain the tank before I let it sit during the winter though
just in case we get one of those blasts that come down the Fraser River
occasionally.

Assuming you're running the engine/heater all day and the refrigerator &
furnace at night, you *should* be okay in slightly freezing conditions. The
pump is by the furnace, the tank is in the wall under the mirrored cabinet
(which is next to the furnace vent), and the lines are all inside. The
first thing that would probably freeze would be the grey water tank - you
can put RV antifreeze in there - it's alcohol-based.

I suppose that under really extreme conditions or when the vehicle is going
to sit unheated then it would be prudent to flush the lines, put in
alcohol-based antifreeze and carry a separate water supply.

-rick

Rick Gordon
Bainbridge Island, WA, USA
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rickgo@halcyon.com
http://www.halcyon.com/rickgo/
KC7QEG
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