Hi, I'm looking to add easy heat heat lines to all the water lines and wrap them with pipe insulation. Also I wanted to add tank heaters to the four water tanks in the underbelly. Just curious if anyone has any good advice to further winterize the underbelly. I noticed that there are several holes for the pipes and wires that go through the floor so I will put some insulation in them. I also noticed all the wires are just a big mess so I will spend some time and wrap them up neatly. Anything else I could do while the underbelly is off? I love neat tricks and mods,lol.
Last winter I put a 1500 watt heater in the enclosed underbelly and left it on for 4 months straight to help keep the water liquid. But the electric bill was 250-300 per month so I hope the heated lines will be less.
I am assuming that you are living full-time in this RV? Otherwise, why not just winterize the systems?
What you are planning to do, will probably save some money, over what you did this past year, but check the wattage of EACH heat strip, and you may find that it's not going to be all that cheap.
I'd also suggest getting a can of that expanding foam insulation, for those holes you mentioned.
You also mention that you have 4 tanks that you are worried about.....could you isolate one of them, and just not use it? I'm guessing that one is a duplicate of another (water, sewage or gray water). Does it have to be used??
Maybe a bit more information on what you are doing, might help with suggestions.
Bill & Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris / GS MJ Dogs: Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie, Annie, Maggie, Tugger & Beau RIP: Cookie, Foxy & Gidget @ Rainbow Bridge.
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April 2008 FMCA# F407293 The Pets
Ya I've been fultiming since oct. There are 2 gray tanks, one for the bath and one for the kitchen, I could cut it down to one tank but I really like the convenience of using the kitchen sink and a little extra cost is ok. I will have to add up the wattage on all the pads and lines, but no matter what it adds up to, I think it will be better than the heater because even at 1500wat it would still freeze sometimes.
Take a look at Ultra Heat as a means of winterizing your entire water system. They offer not only the 120 volt heating elements for the storage and holding tanks, they also offer 12 volt systems for protection while towing. Between the two you should have protection down to below zero. The 12 volt system is operated by a rocker switch with LED warning light so you won't turn them on accidentally when not towing and the 120 volt system is thermostatically controlled and automatically activates any time you have electric power and temps are below about 40 degrees.
Good luck / Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR - 2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles) 2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
Well I pulled the trigger and bought 4 120/12volt ultraheat heat pads and 100 feet of easyheat self reguating wire. Let's see old man winter get me now!
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