Should I do a full drainage (like the drainage before the winter storage) if I stay at the campsite with the heating on but the temperature outside is -3 C?
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Drainage while in campsite
- Thread starter Alex_Makarov
- Start date
I never drained the systems under winter trips. What I did do would be to protect the aquaroll and its pipe or sometimes would bring it inside. It’s the pipe most at risk of freezing but prolonged low temperatures will affect the aquaroll too. I also would empty and disconnect the waste more frequently.
If you drain everything down you will be unable to use any if your onboard water systems, such as hot/cold water and toilet flush!
It might be wise to insulate the feed pipe from your aquaroll as thas pretty thin and liable to freeze fairly easily. A full aquaroll is a fair volume of water so will take a bit if time to freeze, so it might be worth thinking about some form of insulation for it, like an old jacket etc.
As for waste that will probably transittghe system before it gets a chance to freeze. A waste hog may well freeze overnight, so consider using a bucket instead. If it freezes its a solid lump and will fall out when tipped up, unlike a frozen waste hog.
It might be wise to insulate the feed pipe from your aquaroll as thas pretty thin and liable to freeze fairly easily. A full aquaroll is a fair volume of water so will take a bit if time to freeze, so it might be worth thinking about some form of insulation for it, like an old jacket etc.
As for waste that will probably transittghe system before it gets a chance to freeze. A waste hog may well freeze overnight, so consider using a bucket instead. If it freezes its a solid lump and will fall out when tipped up, unlike a frozen waste hog.
That's a great idea! Thank you so much! Will it be safe at -10C?
Do you mean antifreeze which isn’t normally put down drains. Screenwash wiuld be a better more environmentally friendly fluid.
Just a diversion thought but given you will be in Europe during cold winter weather. Does your car have the tyres as required in the countries to be visited for winter driving. IE winter tyres or all seasons with TPMSF symbol?
That's what I did last night. Just thought it could guarantee no frosting.
I am planning to visit some places where winter tyres or even chains are required by the law. I do not know the solution so far, will continue to explore. What my teacher told me is I DO need to have winter tyres (or chains) on my towing car, but it is not necessary to have it on caravan. What do you think?
I’ve never seen a requirement for winter or TPMSF (all seasons) to be fitted to the caravan. Perhaps Hutch knows as he visited Europe many times in winter. Plus Lutz who lives in Germany can advise as he travels to Spain.
A lot of SA caravan tyres are marked M&S which will help somewhat but if in poor conditions i would try and avoid towing.
I'd caution against using "M+S" as a qualifier for winter conditions - it's an American-originated marketing term which has no specific design or test requirements, ie anyone can call their tyre a "M+S" - much better to use the "3PMSF" as it's European-originated and has specific tests which must be passed.
I agree but I only mentioned M&S markings as such tyres do tend to have a more open tread than Summer tyres, but they are no substitute for winter or All Seasons TPMSFS and their compounds probably do not reflect the changes when temperatures drop below 7 deg C.
But in reply to AMs query I cannot recall ever seeing a requirement for winter tyres / TPMSFS on a caravan.
However even if you have snow chains or snow socks on the car, if the caravan starts to slide, there is not much you can do about it.
Many years ago on a rural road I hit a patch of black ice while towing. Prior to that the road was dry and the sun was shining. Not much of an issue with the 4x4 when it hit the patch as all I thought it did was twitch, but with it twitching and the caravan hitting the patch, it was enough for the caravan to slide and catch trees on the side of the road. We were lucky as only a long dent at the rear on the caravan, but it was quite scary.
OH was following me and said that the rear of the caravan swung out towards the right and then to the left then hitting the tree branches. Luckily it was a quite rural road. To be honest I don't think there is anything anyone could have done to prevent it as it was totally unexpected.
I wasn't sure about tyres for a trailer, in winter.
The question was asked on another thread a few years ago, and I checked with a friend in Norway, and he said there was no law in Norway about fitting winter tyres on trailers. As for cars, snow socks seem to be more acceptable all over Europe.
Since 2021, in France, there have been new " rules" about snow socks and chains, being carried by cars without winter tyres. In mountainous regions.
I have noted your mention about, screen wash , rather than Antifreeze.
Good idea.
I meant screen wash indeed.
Sorry, could you please clarify: are you allowed or not to use socks/chains with summer tyres?
It will depend on the local regulations in the country or region you are travelling in. Even in the EU, there are local variations, and as the driver you would be held responsible for any non conformity.
Whilst much of the information you are recieving here on the forum is probably correct, you need to verify any suggestions with the local authorities, check their websites.
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You are allowed to use snow socks /chains in the mountainous regions of France, when the weather require them.
This site might help you.
I am not sure that you are fully prepared for a big tour of Europe. But good luck keep the questions coming.
This site might help you.
Driving in France, speed limits in France, driving laws in France, French motoring rules and regulations.
Driving tips for France, speed limits in France, alcohol limits in France, French motorway (autoroute) tolls. Distance charts. Age limits and seat belt laws for driving in France. Self-drive holidays with Drive-Alive. Plan online.
www.drive-alive.co.uk
I am not sure that you are fully prepared for a big tour of Europe. But good luck keep the questions coming.
The information included in the link provided is not quite correct. Winter tyres or snow chains/snow socks are required in 48 French departments between 1st November and 31st March whether snow or ice is present or not and these are not all particularly mountainous regions.
I don't know of any country where caravans have to be equipped with winter tyres.
Snow socks are permitted in France but not, for instance, in Germany, so you need to check for each country that you intend to travel through first.
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Does that requirement mean they have to be actually fitted, or simply carried in the car.
The use of snow chains on dry roads would be detrimental to the tyres and the road surface.
Only when the roads are actually snow covered may snow chains/snow socks be fitted. At all other times they must be carried but not fitted. However, winter tyres as an alternative to snow chains/snow socks must always be fitted, even under dry conditions. It would be impractical if this weren't the case. Mind you, these requirements only apply to France. Other countries have different requirements.
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When I lived in Ottawa chains or studded tyres were not allowed on asphalt or concrete road surface in the province. You could use them only on minor gravel roads.
But the authorities did such a good job clearing roads that I did not need them for my Jeep and follow on Civic. What I can’t recall is any debate wrt winter or summer tyres. It just never cropped up. You just fitted “ tyres” same as I did in Britain. This was in the mid 1980s and your bog standard tyres tended to have a more open tread pattern than do today’s summer tyres. So you could generally get around okay.
