so, you don't worry about damage to the tank, tubing, and faucet when
camping in winter?  I bought my camper in April, and have not camped in
weather colder 30 F so far, and no freezing occurred.   But I have been
concerned that at real winter temps, if there is water in the lines and
pump, they would be damaged.  I had just figured I would take water
otherwise, and not use the sink.  If I understand you correctly, I
needn't worry.  I would not likely be camping at temperatures colder
than maybe 15 F, unless very unexpected conditions occur.  David

On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 9:34 PM, Bob Stevens wrote:

> I almost always pick up the plastic 2 1/2 gal. containers of
> spring/drinking
> water
> leaving on a trip. I've also started carrying one of those 7 1/2 gal.
> containers
> just leaving it in the van and filling it whenever needed. Both have
> gotten
> frozen without any problem. Drive a few hours on the road toward the
> destination and everything in the van is drinkable. The only container
> I drain after every trip and let dry out, is the 13 gal. Westy tank.
>
> While camping in freezing conditions, it takes about 20-30 minutes of
> Propex-time for the sink faucet to function, and that's with the
> coffee
> pot percolating on the burner as well. I ALWAYS fill that the night
> before whether summer or winter camping. Just habit.
>
> I've never been without water due to freezing nor had water leak
> from a cracked-after-freezing container. None. So far! ;-)
>
> bob
>
> On Thu, Oct 29, 2009 at 7:49 PM, Max Wellhouse wrote:
>
>> Well, it's almost Friday so this slightly off topic question will get
>> asked.  We are all aware that packing any winter survival kit for our
>> Vanagons should include fluids to stay hydrated.  My question is how
>> do you folks keep your fluids from freezing when winter gets really
>> cold out.  Bringing water or other beverages into and out of the car
>> each time we drive isn't the answer, so what's Vanagon driver to do?
>>
>> Generic gallon water bottles won't survive the expansion once the
>> water does freeze, and draining 1/4 or so of the fluid to allow for
>> expansion, but then you don't get as much fluid.  Would loading
>> sugared drinks  or juices lessen the chance of freezing?  I was
>> hoping to put maybe some cranapple juice in a Lexan Nalgene bottle or
>> two and wondered if the stiff walls and a little bit of space for
>> expansion might be a solution.  I'm not so worried about the fluid
>> freezing as it can be warmed up in several ways, but I would like to
>> find a fairly bullet proof method of storing the liquid.  thanks in
>> advance
>>
>> DM&FS
>>