Will Our Thetford Toilet Freeze??

[JulieandStuart]

Hiya

New to caravannning and are looking to use our 2004 Lunar Clubman during the winter (away this weekend and again in November); I was wondering if the water in the toilet holding tank would freeze if the temperature dropped; also, should the holding tank be emptied completely whilst in storage?

Thanks in Advance.

 

[JTQ]

The second piece of your question is the easiest to answer.

It is essential to drain the holding tank or risk expensive freezing damage.

If the weather is moderate with outside temperature only dropping a few degrees below freezing for night time hours, its most unlikely that solid enough ice will form to damage the toilet.

If at all at risk then either drain it and use a beaker of water to flush, or add 20-30% automotive anti-freeze to the flush water.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi,

So far I have never had any freezing problems with the toilet, flush or waste tanks. Earlier this year we spent two weeks mostly below 0 deg. I did wonder if the blue and pink chemicals had any anti freeze properties?

I admit the heating was always on in the caravan, but equally the aquaroll was also ok although partly insulated.

We always drain all systems when leaving the caravan at our storage.

Cheers

Alan

 

[JulieandStuart]

Thank you - this forum is so helpful to newbies like us.

Regards

 

[vauxhall2]

out of interest on this subject i have emailed thetford to ask if there is an antifreeze you can buy,if not can we add antifreeze.mixing chemicals without prior knowledge is not good.

 

[ValA.]

I wouldn't want to follow the advice about anti-freeze - certainly not if you're going to continue using the flush. A combination of pink fluid, antifreeze, and the blue cassette fluid might be a risky combination. Keep the tank at a lowish level, so that any expansion, due to ice formation, will be upwards and you should be safe whilst using the van - but definitely drain it whilst in storage.

We had an expensive experience when we left our water system undrained - an early frost blew two of our taps and we had to replace them both! We now make sure we drain things down when leaving the van, even in autumn. After all it takes only a minute or two to refill and could save you a lot of money.

 

[Dave_374330759]

I agree, you should drain down everything if you are laying up. I forgot to do it on my boat a couple of years ago and it burst the water filter its fittings and the water pump - a very expensive mistake

 

[Alf1]

Hi Julia and Stuart. I have a Swift Charisma 2001 I agree with some of the comments especially clearing all water from the systems during Autumn to Spring. On the Charisma there is a valve with a yellow tap next to the water heater which I open after each use on campsites and you will hear the water flow out. Also, I was advised by my dealer to leave all water taps and the shower tap open during this period. The toilet should have no other substances other than those designed for the toilet, otherwise warranty will be lost not to mention potential damage to the toilet seals. Finally there is, on my caravan, a water valve under the van near the water heater this is a black tube with a red valve this is a water valve and should also be opened to release residual water. the red tap can be replaced. The sink tap may cause you a problem if you want to leave it open during storage because there will be a glass top on the sink therefore it may be unwise to leave the top open.

It takes a little time to do all of these things but well worth the savings you will make on repair bills. If you hanve your heating running from 240v on site you should have no problem with you toilet.

One final idea you may wish to consider is using a REd Calor gas cylinder during the winter, you can change this for a blue cylinder the red does not freeze in winter as the blue one can do. You will of course need a different regulator.

alf

 

[PickledOnion]

Hi Julia and Stuart. I have a Swift Charisma 2001 I agree with some of the comments especially clearing all water from the systems during Autumn to Spring. On the Charisma there is a valve with a yellow tap next to the water heater which I open after each use on campsites and you will hear the water flow out. Also, I was advised by my dealer to leave all water taps and the shower tap open during this period. The toilet should have no other substances other than those designed for the toilet, otherwise warranty will be lost not to mention potential damage to the toilet seals. Finally there is, on my caravan, a water valve under the van near the water heater this is a black tube with a red valve this is a water valve and should also be opened to release residual water. the red tap can be replaced. The sink tap may cause you a problem if you want to leave it open during storage because there will be a glass top on the sink therefore it may be unwise to leave the top open.

It takes a little time to do all of these things but well worth the savings you will make on repair bills. If you hanve your heating running from 240v on site you should have no problem with you toilet.

One final idea you may wish to consider is using a REd Calor gas cylinder during the winter, you can change this for a blue cylinder the red does not freeze in winter as the blue one can do. You will of course need a different regulator.

alf

Newer vans have a common regulator rated the same pressure for both butane & propane.

Dave.