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Old 12-11-2022, 09:46 AM   #1
Andrew262BH
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fresh/black(grey) tanks heater pad recommendations?

hello-
we are looking at upgrading our 2021 262bh toe be able to extend our camping reach into the colder months- and we need to make sure our tanks don't freeze

with all of the options, we are looking for recommendations -


thanks
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Old 12-11-2022, 09:50 AM   #2
chuckster57
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RecPro makes nice heaters with switches.
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Old 12-11-2022, 09:55 AM   #3
bobbecky
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Some may think tank heaters are needed to camp in cold weather, but we have been in single digit temps and never had a tank freeze, or water lines either, and we have no tank heaters. If the bottom of your trailer is enclosed, it may have a heater duct leading into the enclosed area and that will add enough warmth to prevent plumbing from freezing, as long as you are using your propane furnace.
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Old 12-11-2022, 10:11 AM   #4
ChuckS
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The tank heaters are a nice option for some folks.. it will depend on your RV and your camping style ( what are the overnight low temps )..

Another consideration if you boondock the typical RV tank heater (55 gal size) will draw around 9 amps at 12 VDC.. So if you have 3 of these running you have a pretty good amp draw.. especially if running on battery power only.

If on shore power then of course the converter will be handling the load

My fifth wheel doesn't have the tank heaters and I have camped many times at temps down to around 10 degrees.. both boon docking and at an RV park in West Yellowstone

My furnace did just fine keeping the water system freeze free.. Of course that is with city water hose removed and running off the fresh water tank and water pump only.

We keep the fifth wheel at around 55 degrees at night when we sleep and have had no issues with the plumbing, etc at that temp.

I do have a furnace duct line in the basement and one is also ducted right on top of the water pump

YMMV
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Old 12-11-2022, 10:27 AM   #5
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If you do choose to install tank heaters, remember that even though your valves may be "inside the heated space, they aren't protected "directly" by the tank heaters, and pulling the valve handle to dump the tanks may pull the rubber seal away from the valve body "IF" the seal is frozen to the valve slide.

Also, a leaking valve will allow small "rivulets of water" to leak past the heated space and can accumulate at the dump connection on the outside of the trailer. If you have that connection capped, then the water behind it can freeze and either prevent you from dumping the tanks or freeze and crack the 3" pipe, making parts of your entire holding tank system "inoperable until replaced"....

Also, remember that if you leave the tank valve open (or if it's leaking) the discharged water can fill your sewer hose and/or freeze at any low spot, making dumping an "impossible event" until the sewer hose thaws.

So, while tank heaters will help by providing some heat to keep the tanks from freezing, often they won't prevent the plumbing that connects the tanks to the outside sewer hose from freezing.
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