3280rl water freeze

[rratranch]

I have a 2002 montana 3280RL that seems to have a problem with water line freeze. I have cold water at the shower, toilet and bath sink. No hot water and no water at kitchen island at all. This has happened to me 3 different times over the years. In Montana in 2003, Utah 2007 amd now in Washington. Is there a fix. I have been living in the RV at all 3 times so the heat has been on and I have been using the fresh water tank knowing the water line coming to the trailer would be frozen.

thanks for your help
Bob

[GreginOklahoma]

I have the same exact camper and the same problem... I even put a couple of electric heaters in the belly of the camper to help with temperature control...

[Javi]

You could use the foam pipe insulation on the pex, it should help with the problem. I wrapped mine where it was exposed to the un-insulated wall areas like the fill and city water to pump, and under the sink and shower wall. It just slides over the pex and you can tape it in place with either duct tape or electrician tape.

[outwest]

If at a full hookup site, what I do to prevent is open all cabinets where water lines are and leave the water running (both hot and cold) at a trickle. I also sometimes put the heat tape on the hose as extra measure.

[WaltBennett]

I've read several posts on the Montana Owner's Club about people opening up the underbelly and finding water lines laying against the frame and uninsulated. There's also the issue of next to no insulation other than the bubble wrap kind of stuff. We've only owned ours since last April, so I haven't gotten around to checking anything but the first belly section, but will be doing the rest soon.

[RobG]

I'm having a similar problem with my Raptor. This trailer is such a POS! I've had it in much colder weather than this, but now I have no water at all. It seems the feed line to the water pump is frozen. The hose is collapsed. I have a hair dryer blowing down into the hole to try to thaw things out, but who knows if it'll get all of it.

I actually had hookup water running fine earlier, but it's due to hit 3 deg. F tonight so I know that hose won't hold up even at a trickle; it'll have to be left on all night or it'll freeze.

I like the idea of opening up the underside and looking for exposed lines to insulate. I'll have to do that soon.

Rob

[Archergodwin]

You guys are going to hate what you find... PEX lines running under the floor, next to frame rails, completely uninsulated. There is zero insulation to help with anything in the 'belly-pan' area.

I opened my belly pan last Thursday and applied heat-tape and rubberized pipe insulation over the lines... but I've probably missed a spot.. because I'm froze up again as well.

[mikell]

I have an oil filled heater in the basement with one of the wall panels to the crawl space removed. Going into the 4th winter and still no problems. Also did a lot of prep work plugging holes and re arrangeing things to get the place warm

[mazboy123]

you can use the city water, just keep a small flow going through a faucet throughout the night. i'd do the kitchen.