Need help, I’m new to RVing in winter

[Natehamilton.87]

Hello, first time full time winter RVer. (2020 high country 362RD) We had a freeze come in last night, I went out side this morning to check things over and found an ice cycle had formed under my RV at the rear sewage drain!! My black tank valves stay closed, but I did not close the grey valve. I did not remember to flip my tank heaters on.... I obviously have a leak, my question is how bad is it? What are my options? And how do I access this leak? I’ll attach pictures.

What’s steps should I take when there will be a hard freeze? (Other than heat tape and insulation on water pipe, which I did, and still froze)

THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE FOR THE HELP, and please take it easy on a noob!!!

 

[triplebvalp]

Natehamilton.87, well, at least the ice cycle is not brown J/K

You only have 1 option and that is to remove the under-belly and find/fix the leak. In the meantime, turning on your tank heaters may help prevent further cycles.

 

[Natehamilton.87]

Haha yes that is a plus!!! Thank you for the reply. I’ll pull the belly once it warms up!!

 

[Razrbk]

Be sure that your propane furnace is set to turn on....

 

[Natehamilton.87]

Ok thanks

 

[jamesb-FRF]

I guess the key is, how cold did it get? It usually has to be a hard freeze to expand enough to make PVC break. And maybe it was a small drip before the freeze? Anyway, unfortunately you will have to pull down the corrugated material, which is a pain. The grey water pipe goes right beside the black tank pipe. One thing to check first is that fabulous quality made toilet in the half bath. It will start leaking at the base eventually. As they say, it’s not if, it is when it will start leaking. Look close at the base that sits on the floor and check for moisture.

 

[sourdough]

I guess the key is, how cold did it get? It usually has to be a hard freeze to expand enough to make PVC break. And maybe it was a small drip before the freeze? Anyway, unfortunately you will have to pull down the corrugated material, which is a pain. The grey water pipe goes right beside the black tank pipe. One thing to check first is that fabulous quality made toilet in the half bath. It will start leaking at the base eventually. As they say, it’s not if, it is when it will start leaking. Look close at the base that sits on the floor and check for moisture.

The highlighted above may or may not be your problem (I doubt it) but I figure your trailer came with a Thetford toilet....and IMO they are just a ticking time bomb. This one came with a Thetford and I replaced it with a Dometic for the first trip.

 

[Natehamilton.87]

Thank y’all so much for the help, the temps dropped to 28. I have not seen that wet spot on the ground before this morning. But that does not mean it wasn’t there. I’m away from the camper now but tomorrow it’s suppose to warm back up so I’ll climb under and pull the belly off. BUT I will check the toilet as well, I do have two younger kids that use that bathroom majority of the time. And you all know how “careful” kids are on equipment lol!! Thanks again!!

 

[Rondo]

Nathan, be careful when pulling the belly, if you do have a leak the belly may be full of water and that water will really be cold. The belly is held in place with staples or nails driven through the frame. It is not easy to put back up by yourself either so try and get some help.

 

[Natehamilton.87]

Ok! Thanks for the tip!

 

[BeagleMan]

Ok! Thanks for the tip!

Wonder whatever happened here? Everything go ok? You get your belly off and fixed? Kinda left us hanging here.

 

[jamesb-FRF]

Wonder whatever happened here? Everything go ok? You get your belly off and fixed? Kinda left us hanging here.

I was wondering the same thing.