How to keep RV pipes from freezing when camping

The last thing you want is issues on a road trip. A leaking pipe can cause issues, but so can a frozen pipe. Winter camping has become increasingly popular. Exposed to there harsh winter conditions can be wonderful. Camping out in a snowy wilderness. However, the freezing weather can pose challenges for the campervan. As soon as the temperature drops below 0, the campervan will begin to freeze. This can lead to a wide range of broken pipes, failed electrics and even engine trouble.

Preparing your campervan for the cold weather

Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. The harsh cold weather can cause many problems if you aren’t prepared for it. Therefore you must cold-proof your campervan as much as possible how to keep RV pipes from freezing when camping is essential for any regular road tripper.

Essentials to externally prepare your campervan for cold camping:

1. Antifreeze Windowscreen Wash

The last thing you want when out in the wilderness is a dirty window screen that can’t be cleaned. The water-based solution will freeze in a sub 0 climate. This can crack the water tank. Furthermore, it can break the windscreen motor if it tries to move, and it can’t due to being frozen in a fixed position.

2. Drain water tanks and water heater then clean with rinser

This will prevent it from freezing and causing damage. It’s also good practice to stunt bacteria growth as static water is a breeding ground for germs. A tank cleaning solution will finish the job off nicely.

3. Water filter bypass (Remove existing one and replace it)

Remove all existing water filters inside the campervan. This will stop any damage occurring from antifreeze products that are added to the system. It’s good practice to change every 3 months for water quality and safety reasons.

4. Antifeeze the water system (Bypass water heater if you need too)

To prevent antifreeze from flowing into the water heater, you need to bypass it. Your campervan may already have a bypass. If not, you can install a new one. To add antifreeze to your system, install a water pump converter kit or disconnect the pump’s inlet and place it inside the bottle containing the antifreeze.

Then its time to isolate the water system. Close all valves and turn on your water pump to inject the antifreeze into the water system. After pressurizing your system throughout, go around to each faucet and turn them on until the antifreeze flows out. When you are sure that the antifreeze has spread throughout your water system, switch off the water pump. Pour antifreeze down all the drains in your campervan, then pour some into your toilet to prevent any remaining water from freezing. You don’t want any freezing water, especially in the holding tank, as it leaves you without a functioning toilet.

5. Wrap exterior hose (or risk them not working)

The likes of water hoses and sewer hoses need protecting. Any water left inside of them could potentially expand, turn into ice and crack the pipe. That’s a problem you don’t want when emptying raw sewage or filling a water tank. There is a range of ways to do this.

You can store the hoses in a warm insulated storage compartment inside the camper. This, coupled with pipe wrap insulation, can allow the hoses to function when they are used.

In cold conditions, a pipe heating able kit can be worth investing in. You run a heating cable through the pipe and insulation on the outside. This will get them up to temprtearture in no time to use.

The waterproof all-weather tape can be a great alternative method to prevent pipe freezing. Over rough terrain, this tape can have protective qualities as well as insulative ones. The key to fitting this correctly is to do it when the hoses are fully stretched out. A rookie error is to do it before its expanded. It will expand and most likely break off.

Campervan insulation

Keeping the heat in and the cold out is a great way to combat winter conditions. The more insulated the camper, the better it will retain its heat. Wooden builts are great for their insulative properties, especially if isolation is put between the bodywork and panelling.

Floor insulation has a big impact. The last thing you want is a cold floor. As may pipes run near the floor, they must be protected. A lot of heat can be lost through a floor, and it’s often overlooked. Underfloor heating has been installed in some builds if your budget can stretch to this, its a great winter investment.

Windows and vents are a place the cold can enter. Consider buying insulative fitted matts to cover these. That way, the cold can’t get in, but you won’t get condensation either. Furthermore, it’s a useful privacy perk.

But what if your pipes freeze

Frozen pipes are a problem that can’t be rushed. They will take time to thor out once removed carefully. The below video gives a great overview of what you need to do should you find yourself in this situation.