Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Heating Pads for Tanks (2020 176BH)

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Heating Pads for Tanks (2020 176BH)

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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15058
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 10:05pm
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Topic: Heating Pads for Tanks (2020 176BH)

Posted By: Astro2020
Subject: Heating Pads for Tanks (2020 176BH)
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2021 at 1:00pm

Apologies of this has been covered before. I 'm new here and didn't find any information regarding aftermarket tank heating pads. I have a 2020 176BH and I plan to use it for skiing here in the Pacific Northwest. Hookups will be available and I'm not concerned about floor or inside temps. My goal is to ensure my grey, black, and water tanks are usable and don't freeze. I've seen a number of videos on various solutions however, I want to inquire with R-Pod owners to undersand solutions specific to R-pods. I would prefer a solution that taps directly into the electrical with a toggle on/off switch vs. thermastat.

Thanks for the insight and any pictures.

Replies:

Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2021 at 1:56pm

For lack of a better way to put it... "you're on your own son..."

Without enclosing the underbelly in some way, heat strips just won't keep the tank fluid in true cold.

As far as a solution, you would be engineering a system yourself. Get heat strips, get wiring, switches, etc.

If I decided to do it to a pod, I would add an extra, standalone,15/20A circuit, powered by the 15/20A outlet on the pedestal, and not tap into the existing 30A system. Adding more load to the already not so large stock distribution center isn't recommended. They make inflatable skirts, hard skirts, and different styles of "belly skins".. At least one owner made a set of soft skirts, and added keder rail where needed to be able to skirt all the way around. Then just added a ceramic heater in the enclosed area. The biggest thing to worry about, freezing tanks wise, is the valves themselves. "some water" in the tanks isn't a giant deal, because they are flexible, but the drain pipes and valve assemblies are not..

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Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 23 Nov 2021 at 4:52pm

I would also be very concerned about the hot and cold water lines that run across the bottom of the trailer, on the outside.

Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 24 Nov 2021 at 8:00am

/Short answer - you are out of luck here for prolonged camping in sub freezing weather. A split water pipe/valve will be all kinds of fun when things warm up again. Makes Air B&B a bargain . Just my opinion, however, and I am a grumpy oldster.