Imagine XLS 21BHE winter travel

Wallers

New Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2024
Messages
4
Hello, we will be traveling to Iowa between Christmas and New Years day. This is our first season with our 2024 Imagine XLS 21BHE which I currently have winterized. We are hoping to take the TT with us and would like to use the water while traveling if possible. I understand that is heavily dependent on weather at the time of travel, but looking for input on thought. My plan was to have the furnace on while traveling to keep the heat on, but not sure if that will be enough to keep the underbelly from freezing the tank/valve etc. Once in Iowa, we will be keeping the TT in a huge insulated pole building. Any input would be greatly appreciated, and really enjoy reading through this forum and learning.
 
One of my main concerns is the tankless water heater and the FW tank dump valve freezing while traveling below freezing. This is the picture of the dump valve below the underbelly.
20241113_163508.jpg
 
We travel between MN and FL usually leaving MN in mid-December and returning late February. I turn on the furnace two days before we leave MN so we can start loading up and get things warmed up. I fill the fresh water the day before we leave, and we head out using water on our way down. I do shut the furnace off just before pulling out. Our goal is always to get down to Canton, MO for the first overnight stop as the overnight temps are usually high 20's into the 30's. Prior to modifying our low point drains to insulate them, we did arrive with water lines not pushing water but after 30 - 60 minutes with the furnace turned back on, the water would flow again just fine. So that is about 11 hours without the furnace running, except when we stop for lunch.

You don't say where you are coming from, but I assume somewhere south of IA? You shouldn't have any trouble getting to your destination without freezing unless you're coming from a colder climate to start with. I've never left the furnace running while on the road so can't speak to how well that would help. The fresh-water dump valve won't be an issue as long as you don't need to open it. Even if some ice forms around it, as long as you can thaw it before opening it'll be fine. The more water that is in the tank, the better. I fill to about 1/2.
 
We travel between MN and FL usually leaving MN in mid-December and returning late February. I turn on the furnace two days before we leave MN so we can start loading up and get things warmed up. I fill the fresh water the day before we leave, and we head out using water on our way down. I do shut the furnace off just before pulling out. Our goal is always to get down to Canton, MO for the first overnight stop as the overnight temps are usually high 20's into the 30's. Prior to modifying our low point drains to insulate them, we did arrive with water lines not pushing water but after 30 - 60 minutes with the furnace turned back on, the water would flow again just fine. So that is about 11 hours without the furnace running, except when we stop for lunch.

You don't say where you are coming from, but I assume somewhere south of IA? You shouldn't have any trouble getting to your destination without freezing unless you're coming from a colder climate to start with. I've never left the furnace running while on the road so can't speak to how well that would help. The fresh-water dump valve won't be an issue as long as you don't need to open it. Even if some ice forms around it, as long as you can thaw it before opening it'll be fine. The more water that is in the tank, the better. I fill to about 1/2.
Thanks so much for your input. We will be coming from Eastern PA, and returning to the same. We will plan on using water, the family will be happy to hear that. Thanks again
 
Thanks so much for your input. We will be coming from Eastern PA, and returning to the same. We will plan on using water, the family will be happy to hear that. Thanks again
Good news then. I realize all models are different. In ours we didn't have any issues when camping in the 20's. Once it dropped below that, it became a problem. After I modified the low point drains to put the valves up higher and closed in with the belly, we are able to get down to 15 as long as the furnace is running. Thankfully, we haven't camped any colder than that yet to test how low it could go. Happy Travels!
 
Good news then. I realize all models are different. In ours we didn't have any issues when camping in the 20's. Once it dropped below that, it became a problem. After I modified the low point drains to put the valves up higher and closed in with the belly, we are able to get down to 15 as long as the furnace is running. Thankfully, we haven't camped any colder than that yet to test how low it could go. Happy Travels!
Awesome thanks! That's exactly what I was planning to do with the low point drains as well. Thanks again!
 

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