Well, a huge thank you to all for the advice!
We are on our third day in the frozen outback of North Yrkshire. There's about 6" of snow now. The Aquaroll has a red cylinder jacket bungee'd around it, (£2.99 from Wickes, I believe), and we brought the pump inside about 9 - 10pm each night. So far, no problems! The site staff are very friendly and helpful too. The exit road's gritted, (thank God - as it's a narrow, downhill road, only about 300yds long though). The pipes from the bathroom and kitchen sink appear to have frozen as the sink won't empty. Hhmmm... So we'll use the washing up bowl and chuck the water outside. The caravan is warm and cosy. The winter scenery is lovely and it's nice to be away for a long weekend! The actual caravan door was frozen shut first thing. I mean solid!. I got around this by thinking 'sod it' and having a bacon sandwich and a brew. This seemed to work as the door was opened easily afterwards!
We have just come back from Chatsworth Club site, temperature was -11.5c. I used an insulated jacket and insulation on the pipe, but it still foroze. So on the second night, I removed pump, and stuck aquaroll in back of car, complete with insulated jacket. That seemed to work. Just remember to fill a few jugs etc. for a drink overnight and early morning.
------------- It's not what you take when you leave this world behind, it's what you leave behind when you're gone
Man, that sounds like a heavy trip, Pee Jay!
We are back home now. The caravan's back in safe storage. We encountered heavy freezing fog on the M62 eastbound, near Selby and it was bad from there to storage and then home. I could not believe the amount of totally stupid d***heads driving along, at speed, in lane 3 of the motorway, with NO headlights on! And, as every other car is grey these days, these cretins don not realise that they are effectively invisible from 20 metres away in the atrocious conditions. When these vermin eventually (cause a) crash - and they definitely will, they'll blame the weather, or the road, anything but themselves. Plus, why do morons just switch their sidelights on in dense, freezing fog? Do they think this 'token gesture' counts? I speak as an IAM Member and know a number of Police Class 1 Advanced Instructors who say this type of driving is extremely frustrating for them as the penalties are paltry. The idiots should have their cars crushed, (preferably whilst they are still inside the vehicle...). But, on the positive side, the van held up well and the only thing that froze was the drain pipe from the (end kitchen) sink. Not sure how to get around that one! It's on the underside of the 'van? any ideas?
Quote: Originally posted by blackscorpion on 06/2/2012
Man, that sounds like a heavy trip, Pee Jay!
We are back home now. The caravan's back in safe storage. We encountered heavy freezing fog on the M62 eastbound, near Selby and it was bad from there to storage and then home. I could not believe the amount of totally stupid d***heads driving along, at speed, in lane 3 of the motorway, with NO headlights on! And, as every other car is grey these days, these cretins don not realise that they are effectively invisible from 20 metres away in the atrocious conditions. When these vermin eventually (cause a) crash - and they definitely will, they'll blame the weather, or the road, anything but themselves. Plus, why do morons just switch their sidelights on in dense, freezing fog? Do they think this 'token gesture' counts? I speak as an IAM Member and know a number of Police Class 1 Advanced Instructors who say this type of driving is extremely frustrating for them as the penalties are paltry. The idiots should have their cars crushed, (preferably whilst they are still inside the vehicle...). But, on the positive side, the van held up well and the only thing that froze was the drain pipe from the (end kitchen) sink. Not sure how to get around that one! It's on the underside of the 'van? any ideas?
Pour some hot water down the sink???
I share your frustration with the idiots who believe headlights are only meant for them to see, whereas in reality, more often headlights are for them to BE SEEN.
I can't believe all the idiots happy to drive round with a roof full of snow! Not only are they wasting fuel with extra weight & drag, they are causing a hazard to other road users & pedestrians & breaking the law!
But you're right. The moment something bad happens to these ignorant, selfish morons they will be quick to blame the weather, the roads & the old favourite; lack of grit/salt!
Makes me sick too. (I even switch my lights on in the daylight if the sun is behind me, as to me this makes sense).
Ive winter vanned a few times, Never had the aquaroll actually freeze, kept on some wood blocks, with a jacket on, I bring the pump in at night, as I have had the pipe freeze up, even with insulation on it.
as for the drains, I use a bit of neat screen wash (the concentrated stuff) down the sink last thing at night. I have heard people using antifreeze, but dont know how that would affect plastics, and screenwash is cheaper. the most I have had from this, is when it was REALLY cold it slushed a bit, but a kettle ful of water flushed it through.
Don't get me started on that one blackscorpion- as a driver who travels between 600 and 1000 miles a week, and bear in mind I only work 3 days, it makes my blood boil to see some of the idiots out there. It is time people learned how to correctly use headlights/spot lights/rear fog lights. Side lights should be correctly called "parking lights" because that is all they are useful for. I am sad to say hgv drivers are among the worst offenders. And before all you hgv drivers start- they are not all guilty. Obviously the ones who read this forum are perfect drivers!!!!!!
------------- It's not what you take when you leave this world behind, it's what you leave behind when you're gone
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Freezing Aquaroll prevention
