Winterising Ducato based PVC for ski trips
- Thread starter CRD
- Start date
The cheapest way is to get a waste water carrier and leave the tap open,easier than trying to insulate or put a heater in/round the tank.
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scotjimland
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- Jul 25, 2007
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just use a bucket,.. collapsible one will do , then tip out the big ice cube at the grey waste pointYep, good suggestion, but that will probably freeze up too
I use of these
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In the Malibu Van it is partly exposed below the van. There is an optional winter package that includes waste tank and waste pipe heating.
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CRD
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Interesting. I wonder if it can be retrofitted, though it'll probably be expensive. I'm going to look into that. Thank you.
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There is a fb group called Winterized motorhome, campervan and caravan skiing and boarding. Thats a brilliant group full of people who actually do take their vehicles up the alps etc. I did want to go to the Alps but as I am up in central Scotland I found it was far cheaper just to fly to Bulgaria etc
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In anticipation of our Malibu Van which should arrive later this year I have been doing a little bit of research concerning draining the grey water tank. The drain is centrally placed under the vehicle with a remote handle for opening the valve. This is fine for sites with motorhome service points and drive over drains but not much use on the many CLs that do not have such facilities, many of them ask you to drain into hedges or use the grey to water their fruit trees. The answer lies in a can as you suggest but unfortunately the ground clearance below the tank is limited and the fatter drain cans will not fit.
I have found a smaller one that works on the oil can drainage principle that should catch the water and either collect it or allow it to be piped away to a hedge. It can be ordered with fittings and pipes to suit.
DKN LEISURE 10L Black Waste Water Container with Flexible Hose, Adapter and Brush. Compact size: 32x59x12cm - DKN Online
Ideal for collection of sanitation waste water. Includes flexible waste pipe and rubber adapter to fit multiple size fittings.
www.dknonline.co.uk
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Do you have room for the longer ones that the caravan owners use?In anticipation of our Malibu Van which should arrive later this year I have been doing a little bit of research concerning draining the grey water tank. The drain is centrally placed under the vehicle with a remote handle for opening the valve. This is fine for sites with motorhome service points and drive over drains but not much use on the many CLs that do not have such facilities, many of them ask you to drain into hedges or use the grey to water their fruit trees. The answer lies in a can as you suggest but unfortunately the ground clearance below the tank is limited and the fatter drain cans will not fit.
I have found a smaller one that works on the oil can drainage principle that should catch the water and either collect it or allow it to be piped away to a hedge. It can be ordered with fittings and pipes to suit.
DKN LEISURE 10L Black Waste Water Container with Flexible Hose, Adapter and Brush. Compact size: 32x59x12cm - DKN Online
Ideal for collection of sanitation waste water. Includes flexible waste pipe and rubber adapter to fit multiple size fittings.
They have wheels on one end and handle at other.
I think they are slightly narrower?
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- Sep 7, 2021
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I would advise having a look behind the trim on the various doors to see how much insulation there really is - some manufacturers make only a token effort...
Of course the insulation may be lacking in other places too, but the doors are fairly accessible for checking and adding more, whereas areas may require significant dismantling to get access...
cheers,
Robin
Of course the insulation may be lacking in other places too, but the doors are fairly accessible for checking and adding more, whereas areas may require significant dismantling to get access...
cheers,
Robin
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Thanks, I would need to check the measurements. I like the idea of the larger catching area of the one I showed, easier to get in the right position and an attachment for a drain pipe.
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The one I was suggesting is about a metre long and with the 2 wheels and handle, it can be manoeuvred easily under the van (if you have the clearance?)
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PP Bear
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Have a look at this guy, he’s prepared his and now within the artic circle, might be a few tips for you 
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CRD
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Have a look at this guy, he’s prepared his and now within the artic circle, might be a few tips for you
Ha ha. I hope we don't have to go to those extremes with van prep! I better not show this video to Mrs CRD as she'll want to drive up to the Artic Circle, but hopefully not in winter!
There's been some great information and suggestions in this thread so far. Thanks everyone.
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- Apr 19, 2019
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Depends how cold it is. Insulation only slows the reduction in temperature. January in the Alps. -5 by day -15 by night is not unusual. Depends on altitude. A Duvet is not going to help much. Maybe in March/April.Not if you wrap it in an old sleeping bag or duvet!
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My Coach company did contracted Ski work every winter for 12yrs, the first 5 of that time, I was drove every year from the middle of December to, sometimes, Easter (a little less so the latter years) so, I do have a little experience of mountain cold weather, especially in Sweden.
You might be surprised how much insulation a double wrap of old sleeping bag/duvet, inside a black rubbish sack to keep dry, will offer especially if the container is emptied each day.
It's the pipe that leads to the container that sometimes gives problems.
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- Apr 19, 2019
- 2,507
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- Carado T339
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Yes that's true. But like I say, insulation only reduces the rate of cooling. Eventually the tank will reach the same temperature as outside unless there is heat coming from somewhere else.My Coach company did contracted Ski work every winter for 12yrs, the first 5 of that time, I was drove every year from the middle of December to, sometimes, Easter (a little less so the latter years) so, I do have a little experience of mountain cold weather, especially in Sweden.
You might be surprised how much insulation a double wrap of old sleeping bag/duvet, inside a black rubbish sack to keep dry, will offer especially if the container is emptied each day.
It's the pipe that leads to the container that sometimes gives problems.
You need heat and insulation.
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We found, if we unwrapped it when the sun shone, (and on a frosty morning, as it often did,) the warmth on the waste tank, being so close to the ground and out of the wind chill, usually solved the problems but at minus 20c, every day was a challenge!
Thank goodness for Canadian anoraks with crutch isulation strap and Nato (later substituted for Killy that I still have if you want to buy it?) one-piece!
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We have been skiing a few times in our van. We got in the habit of always emptying the grey waste tank immediately after showering . We just stuck a trug under the van to collect the water.
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