Heated Underbelly? 2022 29MBS

[Docedward]

So, I bought this Fifth wheel in December and was sold on the thermal protection and heated underbelly. But on the inaugural trip, temps in the 20s over night, and kept furnace at 65 and… kitchen faucet lines froze underneath (I guess).

I came to this conclusion after waiting for the sun to rise and thaw a bit sure enough the faucet began spit water. First the cold line then after about 2 hours the hot line. The bathroom faucet and shower has no issues whatsoever.

The kitchen faucet is indeed the longest line from the main inlet. I did leave the kitchen cabinet open as the kitchen sink leaks like a colander so I keep a towel and bucket there. Amazingly poor quality. Anyhow…

Yes I checked the aerator. Clean as a whistle being the first time out.

Thoughts?

[travelin texans]

"Thermal protection", "Polar package", "4 season package" or any other cutesy name they may have are simply sales gimmicks!
Those packages include a layer of Reflectix (chrome bubble) above the Coroplast (plastic cardboard) covering the underbelly with typically a 2" furnace duct blowing into the underbelly. As you've found out 1st hand those packages provide protection to just below freezing & not artic conditions.

[JRTJH]

If you crawl under your trailer, locate the low point drains, you'll probably find that they are located "between the unfrozen and the frozen faucets...

Protect those low point drains from freezing because in the "factory configuration" they are a "direct link for ice to migrate up, block the "downflow faucets" and do exactly what you're experiencing....

[Docedward]

I get it that TX has a few disastrous freezes (December was miserable) but I never thought 20’s as Arctic. But, alas, I can’t argue with the point…you are right. This is simply not made for freezing temps.

[Docedward]

Originally Posted by JRTJH

If you crawl under your trailer, locate the low point drains, you'll probably find that they are located "between the unfrozen and the frozen faucets...

Protect those low point drains from freezing because in the "factory configuration" they are a "direct link for ice to migrate up, block the "downflow faucets" and do exactly what you're experiencing....

How do I protect them? They stick out 7” from the underbelly and…yes… I crawled there first to find that this is exactly what happened. Should I wrap them?

[JRTJH]

I'd look at a "pool noodle" to push up onto them, seal the noodle to the coroplast underbelly material and see if that helps. If not, then possibly shorten them, reinstall the caps and try another round at insulating them "closer to the heated belly"... Up here, where the entire trailer is "virtually guaranteed to freeze" (-15F this morning), no matter how "noble the attempts" it's not going to fix the frozen pipes... In this weather, we simply park the trailer and don't use the plumbing until spring....

[Docedward]

MacGyver. Will report back.

[sourdough]

Alright! That's some McGyver work. I looked at the pic of the sponges and was thinking "I wonder how that would work with those hand warmer doo dads", looked closer (magnified) at the pic and enlarged it....and there are hand warmers - priceless.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Docedward

MacGyver. Will report back.

When it is cold out is not the best time to cut and refit pex. That said I would shorten those then put a foam faucet cap over them.

[Docedward]

Yeah, but Dollar General was closer tonight. I’ll probably see if this works through February and then next year trim and MacGyver a foam faucet cover.

[rhagfo]

Interesting floor plan, I would assume that your water lines run down the center between the rails? You might need to drop the belly and insulate the lines, and get some heat in there.

[MurphyIRE]

The insulated foam tubing is good, but in "COLD" it only slows the inevitable. When I'm hunting, I have an insulted bag with a draw string. I throw in two 18 hour hand warmers and that keeps them in good stead. Not using the tanks, when it is super cold is less worrying and no repairs, especially if you forget the hand warmers.