using water tank during cold weather

MargaritaLou · Post by **MargaritaLou** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 10:38 am

I am rather nervously contemplating my first big bongo trip over Easter and wondering about using the water tank. Will it freeze with the really low overnight temps we've been having? I don't want burst pipes!
Advice greatfully received!

Post by **g8dhe** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 11:54 am

First question has to be is where is the tank ?
Most conversions have a plastic tank inside the body, only a few have an externally mounted tank normally under the chassis.
The former is normally quite OK, after all how cold does it get inside the vehicle? The external type is a different matter, and yes you could experience freezing in bad weather.

MargaritaLou · Post by **MargaritaLou** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 12:31 pm

The tank is inside, behind the driver's seat, but I worry that overnight, when there is no heating on, it may get pretty cold.

Post by **g8dhe** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 12:35 pm

No chance, it will be fine. We have ours filled all the time, ours is at the back, just infront of the gas cylinder with a good meter or more of piping running to the tap. Infact the vehicle is up in Lancashire at the moment and makes a fine brew in the morning!

rita · Post by **rita** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 12:40 pm

Hi,if you are worried about it getting cold,put a cover over/round it.An auld fur coat is ideal.

Poohbear · Post by **Poohbear** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 1:56 pm

Ours is an Imperial Conversion so the water tank is behind the drivers seat but we empty it every winter and we have had the pump break twice due to freezing. This year we have wrapped the pump up in an old towel to insulate it. If we use the van during the winter we just take a few bottles of water to make tea etc. While the van is parked up on the drive for a day or two not being used it could easily reach below freezing inside so we don't take any risks. I would think that if you're actually camping in it, it is very unlikely to get anywhere near that cold inside.

Post by **g8dhe** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 4:08 pm

Is the pump in the water container, i.e. submersible, or is it in line outside ?

Poohbear · Post by **Poohbear** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 4:35 pm

g8dhe wrote:Is the pump in the water container, i.e. submersible, or is it in line outside ?

It is in line but not outside, it is inside the cupboard.

Post by **g8dhe** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 4:55 pm

Possibly the difference then, ours uses a submersible pump so for it to freeze it would have to freeze the entire contents of the container 10-20 litres worth to cause damage to the pump, but its never frozen the piping either.

MargaritaLou · Post by **MargaritaLou** » Sat Mar 23, 2013 8:57 pm

Thanks everyone, I have an imperial conversion too. Think I will start with a water container and see how it goes!

kingbillybongo · Post by **kingbillybongo** » Sun Mar 24, 2013 10:44 am

If the internal water tank freezes just think what will happen to you ? LOL
You,ll be fine

using water tank during cold weather

using water tank during cold weather

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