Freezing weather when travelling

[Jewellbags]

We talk a lot about draining down etc when the weather worsens but what about driving around in low or sub zero temperatures ? Surely the wind chill would make the effect on tanks and pipes worse or is engine heat enough to keep every thing fluid . Speaking personally we can keep our hab diesel heater ticking over when traveling .

Was just a random thought when I woke up this morning

 

[MichaelT]

If it's that cold we put the van heating on gas.

 

[WESTY66]

When the weather is cool we always travel with the alde heating on via the heat exchanger, keeps everything warm toasty and more important stops any pipes freezing!
Also when parked we can warm the engine prior to starting it using the heat exchanger with the alde.
Looking forward to giving it all a proper try out on Boxing Day when we set off for Switzerland for a mini break

 

[Soycd]

We also keep the heating on when driving. As long as you have something like the Truma monocontrol CS with a crash sensor then it’s fine. Diesel heaters are even easier.

 

[Rapido925M]

Surely wind chill only affects situations involving evaporation? Stand outside on a warm windy day and you’ll feel chilly on your hands and face because moisture can evaporate from them: where your clothes are remains warm. Remember the old “wet and dry bulb thermometer” in the Stephenson screen!

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[MichaelT]

Remember the old “wet and dry bulb thermometer” in the Stephenson screen!

No

 

[Landy Andy]

But aren’t the pipes and water inside the vehicle?
And that’s where I am, so above 0 degrees.

 

[JockandRita]

When the weather is cool we always travel with the alde heating on via the heat exchanger, keeps everything warm toasty and more important stops any pipes freezing!
Also when parked we can warm the engine prior to starting it using the heat exchanger with the alde.

The same facilities here to keep warm, plus all the services are inboard and not exposed externally, unlike like some British built MHs, ie, obviously built for fair weather use only.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[Moose29]

Looking forward to giving it all a proper try out on Boxing Day when we set off for Switzerland for a mini break

We went to Switzerland in the summer for the first time and loved it. Where are you going? Are most sites open all year? Are the roads clear most of the time? Thanks.

 

[boaterkeith]

But aren’t the pipes and water inside the vehicle?
And that’s where I am, so above 0 degrees.

Not if there’s underfloor tanks and water heater, like on my Elddis CV40!

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[waysider]

I leave my diesel heater on 8 degrees C all the time in cold weather, and switch it to electric when available.

 

[bigtwin]

Surely wind chill only affects situations involving evaporation?

Indeed, but moving air flowing over a surface will either add heat (think hair dryer) or remove heat (think radiator fan) depending on their relative temperatures.

Ian

 

[WESTY66]

We went to Switzerland in the summer for the first time and loved it. Where are you going? Are most sites open all year? Are the roads clear most of the time? Thanks.

We’ve always been n the summer and just wanted to see it in winter
We are staying at camping Breithorn at lauterbrunnen

 

[Jerrywh]

I might be wrong but I understand my La Strada will dump all of the water out of the van if the temperature drops to 3degC, unless there is some heating on in the van, when it doesn't ..

 

[DABurleigh]

We’ve always been n the summer and just wanted to see it in winter
We are staying at camping Breithorn at lauterbrunnen

Enjoy. We've stayed there. It's only downside was we were using a Jungfrau Travel Pass and the bus along the valley was excluded.
Dave

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[The Old Man]

Not wishing to turn this into another 'Toilet' thread but;

I did wonder yesterday about the cassette?

So say 50% full of what the cassette holds, what's its freezing point? Can it freeze?

 

[nicholsong]

Enjoy. We've stayed there. It's only downside was we were using a Jungfrau Travel Pass and the bus along the valley was excluded.
Dave

Dave

How are you?

Good to see you posting. I count you as one of the 'Old School', dating back to when I bought my MH 15 years ago, but you were mostly posting on MHFacts then I think. You were one of the knowledgeable members. There seem to be a lot of novices around these days compared to then.

I hope to see your posts more often.

Best Wishes

Geoff

 

[franknjan]

Good idea to leave your waste/grey water drain open after emptying. Any water in the pipe will freeze and split your pipe, I know from experience.

 

[Mike800966]

Good idea to leave your waste/grey water drain open after emptying. Any water in the pipe will freeze and split your pipe, I know from experience.

If you worried about the water in the cassette freezing (it is in a warmed area isn't it) just add some salt to the cassette.
Mike

 

[Rob Wheeler]

Hi I'm new to Motorhome Fun, this is my first post, but must say there is so much valuable information here, so thanks!

We're travelling in our 12 month old Hymer Free 600 Campus based on a Fiat Ducato this Sunday and staying a couple of nights in Cardiff.

Due to the cold weather, I've plugged into EHU at home, the van is parked (and secured!) outside and have had the heating on at around 15° using the lower power electric heating option (there's a 900watt and a 1800watt setting option).

Whilst I could drain down the system, then refill for this weekend, I thought basic heating on through the night sensible as daytime temperatures have not gone below 3°.

Were in South Devon so we haven't had a hard below zero frost yet.

But my question is would I be better using the diesel option? I have a dual fuel heater diesel or electric, so diesel for the heating, or the electric?

Diesel certainly seems more efficient, but is there a downside to using diesel long term? Does the heater coke up at all using diesel over long periods?

Also, is it OK leaving the EHU on for days or even a week or two? I assume battery charging management monitors both battery states at all time like a smart charger? Camping on holiday would be hooked up long term I guess?

Big old learning curve, but would appreciate any advice on cold weather use?

Thanks.

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[mapman]

If you are staying long enough to buy a pass the Berner Oberland Pass does include all the buses ( and trains, boats, and cableways). We used it extensively last summer and many are open all year.

 

[Mike800966]

If you worried about the water in the cassette freezing (it is in a warmed area isn't it) just add some salt to the cassette.
Mike

We also found that in our coachbuilt, closing the roof blinds, particularly the rearmost one, when travelling greatly reduces the heat loss. Also a cold draught can come in through the front door panels especially if there are no speakers in the cutouts!
Happy days
Mike &Ann

 

[haganap]

When the weather is cool we always travel with the alde heating on via the heat exchanger, keeps everything warm toasty and more important stops any pipes freezing!
Also when parked we can warm the engine prior to starting it using the heat exchanger with the alde.
Looking forward to giving it all a proper try out on Boxing Day when we set off for Switzerland for a mini break

You're just taking the pee out of me

 

[Lenny HB]

Not wishing to turn this into another 'Toilet' thread but;

I did wonder yesterday about the cassette?

So say 50% full of what the cassette holds, what's its freezing point? Can it freeze?

The cassette area is heated by the heating on all the vans we have had.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not if there’s underfloor tanks and water heater, like on my Elddis CV40!

I don't understand why British manufacturers keep building vans like this, none else does.

I might be wrong but I understand my La Strada will dump all of the water out of the van if the temperature drops to 3degC, unless there is some heating on in the van, when it doesn't ..

That's frost protection valve for the boiler wether it dumps all of the water depends on where the water tanks are.
Ours is in the double floor lower than the valve so it only dumps the boiler water, if the tank is higher than the valve it may dump all of the water.

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[Vikdikdok]

Enjoy. We've stayed there. It's only downside was we were using a Jungfrau Travel Pass and the bus along the valley was excluded.
Dave

Where you been hiding ?? - nice to read you're around

 

[CAB96]

Hi I'm new to Motorhome Fun, this is my first post, but must say there is so much valuable information here, so thanks!

We're travelling in our 12 month old Hymer Free 600 Campus based on a Fiat Ducato this Sunday and staying a couple of nights in Cardiff.

Due to the cold weather, I've plugged into EHU at home, the van is parked (and secured!) outside and have had the heating on at around 15° using the lower power electric heating option (there's a 900watt and a 1800watt setting option).

Whilst I could drain down the system, then refill for this weekend, I thought basic heating on through the night sensible as daytime temperatures have not gone below 3°.

Were in South Devon so we haven't had a hard below zero frost yet.

But my question is would I be better using the diesel option? I have a dual fuel heater diesel or electric, so diesel for the heating, or the electric?

Diesel certainly seems more efficient, but is there a downside to using diesel long term? Does the heater coke up at all using diesel over long periods?

Also, is it OK leaving the EHU on for days or even a week or two? I assume battery charging management monitors both battery states at all time like a smart charger? Camping on holiday would be hooked up long term I guess?

Big old learning curve, but would appreciate any advice on cold weather use?

Thanks.

Welcome to the forum.

Probably best starting a separate thread for your question.

 

[DABurleigh]

Where you been hiding ?? - nice to read you're around

Hi Vic. Just life - Covid, then moved to the West Country, 2 years getting building work done, 4 young grandchildren, etc. Went back down from 7.5 tonne NB Flair to 3.5t 6.2m Pilote 626D.

Hope you're well etc.

Dave

 

[Rob Wheeler]

Welcome to the forum.

Probably best starting a separate thread for your question.

Thanks CAB96, I'm sure I'll get the hang of this soonish! Cheers.

 

[Vikdikdok]

Hi Vic. Just life - Covid, then moved to the West Country, 2 years getting building work done, 4 young grandchildren, etc. Went back down from 7.5 tonne NB Flair to 3.5t 6.2m Pilote 626D.

Hope you're well etc.

Dave

We're good, just older & creaky joints, we also downsized to a not quite micro camper (its a 'Nu Venture Rio), 2 berth with all the facilities we're used to in the Hymer, it's all tucked away in storage till winter's over then we'll see where we fancy.