Aquaroll and cold weather

[annierich]

We have booked a fully serviced pitch at Melrose CC site next week (Can't wait!). Having looked at the weather forecasts for said week (brrrh!)I think we might need to take the 'where withall' to insulate our aquaroll and external water pipes. However as this is our first 'winter' trip we are not sure exactly what we will need to take with us. Can anyone help please? Oh yes, and if anybody can stop the gales so that we can tow safely we would be ever so grateful !!

 

[Conquerorman]

You can get an insulated cover for your aquaroll from Bags 4 Everything of Wakefield. Keep your fresh water topped up at night and empty your waste water and you'll be fine.

 

[annierich]

You can get an insulated cover for your aquaroll from Bags 4 Everything of Wakefield. Keep your fresh water topped up at night and empty your waste water and you'll be fine.

Thanks BK man - but we're going away on Sunday so not enough time for one to be delivered. We were hoping for some d-i-y ideas !

 

[Robtel]

Annie,

For d.i.y. ideas I have read of someone using loft insulation wrapped up in a bin liner to keep it dry and then wrapping that round their aquaroll. Never tried it so can't comment on how good it would be.

Hopefully the weather next weeek is only going to be chilly not freezing.

Robert

 

[Allyson]

Annie

Try a child's old coat looking at the size of the roller I would say perhaps a teenagers padded jacket or maybe and old adults jacket?

Perhaps try your local charity shop for one?

Good Luck

Allyson

 

[JTQ]

When we had an external water supply we kept a small container of water in the van during winter trips just in case.

Unless it gets very cold its is only likely that it will be the top of the water and the feed pipe that freezes. The top of the water freezing is no real problem and a hot wet flannel on the pipe to ease the ice should sort it out. Keep the Aquaroll nearly full, but not completely full before going to bed [ gives more water under the ice in the morning]

 

[Robert_374373903]

As been said its mainly the pump pipe into caravann that gets frozen in this country, apart from deep winter that is so what i take is a piece of 22mm foam lagging which most of us have installed on our plumbing

 

[SirRogerFFS]

I have read somewhere on the forum what I think is a brilliant idea and that is rig up a fish tank heater and drop that into your aquaroll.

Nice cheap idea .

Regards Sir Roger

 

[Ogre]

We are permanent caravanners, and have found that a fold up reflective sun shield (as used on car windscreens), and bought from any 'el cheapo' car accessory shop, keeps the water from freezing. Simply wrap it around the Aquaroll, reflective side out, and secure it with a couple of bungee cords. The pipes will fit easily inside a length of normal 22mm foam pipe insulation available from all DIY outlets.

I'd avoid anything like blankets, that will probably get wet and soggy.

As another poster has said, filling the Aquaroll before settling in for the evening is good, as only the top is likely to freeze.

We fill our Aquaroll from a 10L container, and when the Aquaroll is full, we then also fill the container and keep it in the awning during the worst months. If it gets REALLY cold, then keep some water in the caravan. There's nothing worse than not being able to get a first warming cup of tea in the morning, no matter how warm you are in the caravan when you wake up.

 

[triker1]

hello to you from wet and windy Scotland.I cannot believe that you really need to ask this question !! Come on, Yorkshire probably has colder nights than the whole of central Scotland !!! Check the weather forecasts,check where Melrose is and you will see that it is a couple of hundred miles south of where the possible frost is going to be !!!there is going to be snow in the eastern highlands (maybe if the forecasters are right but they are often wrong)

Re insulation go to B & Q buy a hot water tank insulation jacket and foam pipe covers as I do in the real winter and usually yo will be ok.For the last 45 years we have done this,spending may new years at Balliituim and Braemar with temperatures down to minus 18c.

Do not let anyone put you off take and precautions and all will be fine.enjoy!!!

 

[Stephen_374341239]

hi

I found the blue pipe that comes from the pump inside the fresh water aquaroll to the side of the caravan froze. So i placed water pipe isulation round it had now have know more problems.

 

[annierich]

Thanks for all your helpful advice. We have just returned from our weeks stay in Melrose -lovely site in a great location-and despite frost every night and some black ice we survived on a fully serviced pitch with no frozen pipes. We wrapped the aquaroll with some loft insulation in a bin bag (but the rabbits seemed to enjoyed nibbling thru the bin bag to get to the insulation!)and we were lovely and warm everynight. I can highly recommend the Snuglux Duo duvet / sleeping bag type bedding which we invested in prior to going.