Frost on its way should I empty my tanks? Travel with empty tanks?

[nomad2022]

Apologies in advance for this newbie question - planning a trip to Morroco aiming to leave next week. Below zero temperatures forecast over coming week. Should I empty all tanks before it hits or will I be ok if I leave heating on? Forecast for France also looking like I’ll get some freezing weather on the way down - should I travel with empty tanks? Have a Bessacarr E460 not the best winterised van out there I know! Thanks in advance for any help/advice

 

[Stealaway]

You will need to empty the water tank and open all the taps plus the shower mixer.
Hopefully the boiler will have an auto frost stat that will open and drain it.
Refill just before you leave?

 

[Carpmart]

If you’re heating the van whilst travelling (obviously you will be), you will of course be okay with some water in the tank. Drain now and fill when leaving.

 

[Two on Tour]

Travel with a full tank of fresh water as there will be enough heat in your van while on the road to keep the tanks warm enough.
If it's very cold on the way down then your problem is likely finding somewhere that not got the water turned off or not frozen.

 

[VXman]

Set your heating to just above the frost dump valve. I tend to put mine on at about 7 degrees when there is a risk of frost. This should be only necessary when parked up at night.

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[nomad2022]

Thanks confirms was what I was thinking - empty tanks for now then fill up before I set off - just I’ve seen some posts saying full tank unlikely to freeze unless temperature below zero for extended period but I guess it’s the pipe work that is most vulnerable - as these are mainly within the van I was just wondering whether leaving blown heating and water heater on might be enough to prevent problems - don’t think my van has automated frost dump valve it’s getting on a bit like it’s owner

 

[Stealaway]

don’t think my van has automated frost dump valve it’s getting on a bit like it’s owner

Its one of these. The other lever is the water drain

 

[nomad2022]

No don’t see one of those so guess mine doesn’t have one unless it’s the thing top right next to flojet pump? - I have been keeping the van at 20c and ultrastore on low

 

[kevenh]

No don’t see one of those so guess mine doesn’t have one unless it’s the thing top right next to flojet pump? - I have been keeping the van at 20c and ultrastore on low

The yellow lever lower centre is - on my motorhome - the Truma hot water manual drain.

 

[PP Bear]

No don’t see one of those so guess mine doesn’t have one unless it’s the thing top right next to flojet pump? - I have been keeping the van at 20c and ultrastore on low

Yours is the same as mine. No auto dump and that’s the boiler drain valve, so lift and leave upright while it’s all drained down, then close before refilling. Make sure you turn off the waterpump or it’ll continually run thinking the boiler needs filling.

Also be sure to unscrew the shower hose and drain. I forgot this one year and it cost me a new shower mixer tap

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[nomad2022]

Yeah thanks Kevenh I had just about figured that one out was just replying to Stealaway about the auto frost dump which I don’t think I have unless it’s the blue lever top right in the pic

 

[Verteuil Man]

One thing to beae in mind is weight. If you have not uprated the MPLM your capacity is 3,500kg. The fresh water tank is 94 litres which is 94kg. If you are going away to Morocco you will be stuffed to the gunnels with cloths etc.

Worth thinking about.

 

[nomad2022]

Yeah I was worried about that hence my earlier post looking for local Weighbridge - weighed van yesterday full water tank full diesel tank and full 55ltr LPG tank and most of stuff I’m taking - was pleasantly surprised to find I still have 400kg to play with

 

[Reallyretired]

Assuming you are driving down through France make sure your water is full. Practically all campsites will be closed and many Aires will have the water turned off. Its worth getting a Campingcarparks card as these aires usually still have water. Keep the heating on in the motorhome especially at night, in my case a lot warmer than 7C brrrr. Usually about 18 overnight and 21 during the day is my preference, and even then swmbo will be moaning about how cold she is.

 

[Roger S]

Its one of these. The other lever is the water drain

View attachment 694585

He may have Alde heating in his Swift

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[nomad2022]

Hi Roger - No don’t have Alde heating just regular Truma. Reallyretired thanks for the tip plan to get through France as quickly as possible to get to warmer climes so I don’t have to worry about frozen pipes!

 

[Bessy765]

leave the grey water valve open, whenever you stop put a bucket under the drain valve. You can run your heater without water in it. If your fresh water tank is underneath the van leave drained if its under one of the seats it should be ok if you can travel with the heating on low.