How to Keep an RV Water Hose from Freezing

After you choose to acquire an RV, there is a lot of equipment that you’ll need to educate yourself with. One of those items of equipment is the RV water hose. An RV water hose is a line that goes from a campsite water faucet to your RV.

It looks like your standard garden hose, so you should be able to recognize it simply. The RV water line connects from the campground tap to the RV city water hookup on the RV. This is the point where you screw in the hose.

When fall comes, all RVers have to make a decision. Will they store their RVs, travel south for the winter, or keep traveling through the cold weather? It’s vital to think about your alternatives early. You don’t want to wait too long and then have to rush to find a solution in the summer.

You should start thinking about this now, while you still have time to get ready. If you want to keep driving your RV through the winter, you need to make a few changes so that it will be safe and comfortable. You can start by preparing your car now, so you don’t have to rush later in the fall. Here are some easy but effective techniques that will help protect your RV’s water hose from freezing.

UNDERBELLY INSULATION

Your RV’s essential equipment and utilities must be safeguarded throughout winter. Insulating your RV’s underbelly, where water lines, holding tanks, and other critical kits reside, is one of the most acceptable methods to achieve this. These systems might be frozen if your RV is caught in a cold wind. Installing an RV skirt across the vehicle’s underside can help prevent this. Instead of an RV skirt, you can use foam boards or other insulation to keep the wind at bay. By controlling the air from circulating beneath your RV, you’ll be able to maintain a more pleasant interior temperature while safeguarding critical equipment.

HEATING PADS

Heating pads are a must for any RV journey in the winter months. UltraHeat heaters keep the various components of your water system from freezing when the temperature lowers. How important is this? When your pipes freeze, you lose more than just your ability to get water. Water expands when it freezes. A burst or damaged pipe can cause extensive and costly damage to your RV. If you’re traveling in your RV during cold weather, it’s important to maintain the water system. All of your plumbing is kept warm with the help of pipe and elbow heaters. RV drainpipe heaters should also be installed to keep your drainpipes from freezing and causing problems with your gate valve.

UNPLUG THE DEVICE WHILE NOT USING

If you have a freshwater tank in your RV, you don’t need to keep your water line attached to the water supply. Disconnecting and storing your RV water hose when not in use is a tried-and-true method of preventing the hose from freezing. Fill your fresh water tank using the hose, then put it inside your camper, where it will remain warm and not be subject to cold temperatures. A heating pad in your freshwater tank will help to keep the liquid from freezing while you’re away. If you take these steps, you won’t have to worry about your water hose freezing in the cold anymore.

HEATED HOSES 

Of course, some RVers would instead use municipal water than potable water because of the ease. It’s possible to run city water in even the coldest areas with a heated water hose. Unlike conventional RV water hoses, heated water hoses are more resistant to severe temperatures. RV hoses with built-in sensors may automatically adapt to temperatures below freezing. You may need to connect your hose to an electrical source to make it work. Having a set of heated water hoses on hand is a welcome luxury when it’s freezing outdoors.

What Temperature Will RV Water Lines Freeze?

When the weather drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit for a day, the water in an RV’s pipes might freeze. However, in many circumstances, it would take temperatures much below 30 degrees Fahrenheit for RV pipes to freeze for a lengthy period.

How long it has been exposed to the cold also plays a role. Freezing, on the other hand, is a systematic procedure. However, exposure to the cold via an RV’s pipes is not always a given.

Of course, the water inside the pipes freezes, not the pipes themselves.

Flush your plumbing after removing all waste and new water for added security. Do not fill your fresh water tank before arriving at your campsite; connect to the campground water supply.

How to identify when your RV water hose is frozen?

It’s preferable to prevent your pipes from freezing in the first place rather than wait until they do. This may necessitate several procedures, additional purchases, and a closer look at a few of your RV’s components. Because of the dangers of frozen pipes (as indicated above), it is essential to watch them. Preventing your pipes from freezing may save a lot of money in the long term.

Winterize Your RV
In a frigid area, this step is impractical, although it is possible for short winter journeys in an RV. Winterizing your RV is essential if you plan to use it sporadically or not during the winter months. This is the only method to ensure that your RV’s water system will last as long as possible, no matter how cold it gets outside. If you’ve never done this before, we’ve written a helpful blog article with step-by-by-step instructions.
Better Insulation
Check your insulation if you want to use your RV in a chilly region. A lot of air is circulating beneath RVs, particularly trailers. RVers may insulate their pipes themselves by wrapping towels over them, or they can hire a professional to do it for them. To help keep the pipes in your RV warm, you may purchase and install insulated skirting around the outside of the vehicle. RVs of all shapes and sizes can benefit from these.

How To Unfreeze An RV Water Hose?

To begin, defrost the water supply in your RV by using a heat gun on the hose connections. Five to ten minutes should be devoted to warming up the connecting points. Defrost the link from all sides by moving the pistol around it.

Your RV’s water supply and hose ports must be thawed before you can remove the hose. The hose should be brought inside once it has been unscrewed so that it may warm up. The heat in your RV might help speed things along if you’re impatient. You should use a shower curtain to cover the hose in your shower to keep it clean.

Before reattaching the hose, inspect it for any damage. When water freezes, it expands, which may be dangerous. Because of the extreme pressure, your hose may have strained or ruptured. If there is no damage to the original component, you may be able to rejoin it. Damage to the hose is only an exception.

How Do I Winterize My RV Water System?

You’ll first need to dump the black and grey water tanks. Using a wand attachment attached to the end of an irrigation hose, clean the black water tank.

After that, remove all of the water from the tank. You’ll avoid getting sprayed when you open the drains or unscrew the plug on your water heater since this will eliminate water that might cause your pipes to freeze and break. Take care to empty the system at the lowest points. If you can’t find the low-point drains on your own, see your owner’s handbook.

Before attempting to drain the water heater tank, allow it to cool completely. Open a hot water faucet when the RV is disconnected from the water supply and the 12-volt water pump is in the “off” position. Do not use 110-volt electricity in your RV; turn off your water heater’s electric switch if it is equipped with one. Open the drain plug on your water heater and drain the tank.

FAQ

Use a polyurethane RV bag with a waterproof and breathable mesh liner. A mould-free atmosphere may be created if the hose is allowed to dry out.

To prevent your RV's underside from freezing, install RV skirting. Make sure to check out our list of the best water heaters below if you want to protect the line from the tap to the RV from freezing!

Citations

https://www.irv2.com/forums/f50/how-to-keep-water-hose-from-freezing-414320.html
https://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f18/keeping-hose-from-freezing-10779.html
https://www.rvforum.net/threads/frozen-water-hose.49492/
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Ever since I was a kid, I've been fascinated by travel. I inherited this passion from my parents. Since my college years and to this day, I have had a passion for traveling in a motorhome. I am here to share my experiences with you.

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