Heat pad for fresh water tank

[GregWCIL]

Heading to Colorado to photograph rutting elk and fall colors in early October. Night time temps likely to be in low thirties or possibly lower.
I don’t have the spray foam insulation package. Should I consider adding a heat pad on fresh water tank, maybe insulation sheets and insulate the exposed water lines under the camper?
Any suggestions on a quick easy method?

 

[CE Vogel]

I have a heat pad on my fresh water tank, and have never used it, even when night time temperatures dropped to 25 degrees. My tank is fully exposed under the trailer. The biggest freeze risk is likely the water line leaving the tank, as it has much less thermal mass than the water tank. You could insulate the water line with pipe insulation or pool noodles. As long as day time temperatures get well above freezing, you probably will be fine with night time temperatures in the upper twenties.

 

[rubicon327]

I have a heat pad on my fresh water tank, and have never used it, even when night time temperatures dropped to 25 degrees. My tank is fully exposed under the trailer. The biggest freeze risk is likely the water line leaving the tank, as it has much less thermal mass than the water tank. You could insulate the water line with pipe insulation or pool noodles. As long as day time temperatures get well above freezing, you probably will be fine with night time temperatures in the upper twenties.

Yup. The fresh water supply line on the tank was the first thing to freeze on a cold overnight. A little insulation can’t hurt but if daytime temps are above freezing then everything will be fine. Just won’t have any water until it thaws.

 

[GregWCIL]

T hank you both. Think I’ll put some insulation on the lines. I’ll look in the morning about that and maybe some pink foam board around the tank.
Did a little looking at do-it-yourself spray foam kits like Home Depot sells. VERY mixed reviews.

 

[CE Vogel]

I have spray foam insulation on the bottom of my trailer. I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, it keeps the floor warm in cold weather. On the other hand, it hid defective tank straps that almost resulted in the 100-gallon fresh water tank dropping on the highway. When ATC replaced the tank and brackets under warranty, I did not have the foam replaced around the tank so I could make periodic inspections. FWIW, ATC was very easy to work with on the warranty claim.