cold weather camping

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I have a camping trip planned for the last of October and low and behold, the first Nov. is calling for light snow. That is not too bad, but the temps have suddenly changed (like they do in the mountains I guess) to the upper 20's! I have tried and tried to get out camping and have not been able to this year, FINALLY, have time and NOW weather is crazy.My question is. with temps that cold, is there a way to still camp (later on in week the temps go back up reasonably) and not freeze pipes. I will be without hookups. No using toilet, could go without using kitchen sink (taking bottled water anyway for cleaning up and dogs and my water).
Should I just empty what water that may be in fresh water tank, open faucets to be sure water is out of them.... and would having the heater on at night keep the pipes from freezing?
Would like to hear some imformation on the above and any other things I might need to do other than that.
Thanks

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mountain mist Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 May 2010 Location: Gatlinburg Tenn Online Status: Offline Posts: 426	Topic: cold weather camping Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 4:46pm
	I have a camping trip planned for the last of October and low and behold, the first Nov. is calling for light snow. That is not too bad, but the temps have suddenly changed (like they do in the mountains I guess) to the upper 20's! I have tried and tried to get out camping and have not been able to this year, FINALLY, have time and NOW weather is crazy. My question is. with temps that cold, is there a way to still camp (later on in week the temps go back up reasonably) and not freeze pipes. I will be without hookups. No using toilet, could go without using kitchen sink (taking bottled water anyway for cleaning up and dogs and my water). Should I just empty what water that may be in fresh water tank, open faucets to be sure water is out of them.... and would having the heater on at night keep the pipes from freezing? Would like to hear some imformation on the above and any other things I might need to do other than that. Thanks
	'11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley

dsmiths Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 10 Oct 2011 Location: Southern Ind Online Status: Offline Posts: 866	Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 8:29pm
	I would think you would ok in the upper 20's if heat is on inside the pod, it takes a long time to freeze 30 gallons of water if your fresh water tank is full. the big problem is the temps near the water pump and associated plumbing, but if its warm in the pod you should be ok short term.
	Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059	Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 9:20pm
	If it will dip into the upper 20's for a few hours and stay above freezing most of the day you'll be ok. We had a mini rally last January with temps well below freezing, I kept my pod winterized and used some RV antifreeze to flush the toilet. I used a dish pan in the sink to catch the water I used to brush my teeth and threw that in the bushes. I kept several gallons of water inside with the heater set on about 60. The campground had a heated bathroom which I used for showers.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

mountain mist Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 May 2010 Location: Gatlinburg Tenn Online Status: Offline Posts: 426	Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 10:48pm
	the temps , at this point, will be 52-50 degrees in the day and run from 28-36 at night. I think I will drain my fresh water tank, open faucets, shower hose, was dumped early in the year. Will have heat on at night, might even need some in daytime too. Since I was a tent camper for many years, I am used to having extra water around, dealing with wash water, etc. I will just do the same in this instance. no hot showers or showers at all in this instance, but was use to heating water, keeping fairly clean personally , and dumping in the bushes , as you said. Thank you for reply, just helps to get my head screwed on right and see what I can do in this instance.
	'11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley

mountain mist Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 May 2010 Location: Gatlinburg Tenn Online Status: Offline Posts: 426	Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 10:50pm
	if I am not using my water pump and have drained the fresh water tank, the faucets and shower, I will not have much in the system.
	'11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley

rpodcamper.com Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Location: Reading, Pa Online Status: Offline Posts: 3990	Posted: 23 Oct 2012 at 2:24am
	You should be fine in those temps. If you keep your heater on during the day that will keep the pipes warm. You will need to watch for condinsation that will form and will need to crack a windows and also the bathroom vent eitherwise it might be "raining" in your pod

mountain mist Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 25 May 2010 Location: Gatlinburg Tenn Online Status: Offline Posts: 426	Posted: 23 Oct 2012 at 6:38am
	thank you for the tips. will do them.
	'11 Forest River r.pod 171 '10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley