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One of the major ‘pluses’ for us (we are both retired) is the ability to decide at just about a moment’s notice that the day looks nice – lets take the ‘van out even if only for four or five hours.
A major advantage of the ‘van over the car is that after a couple of hours or so driving it is sheer luxury to stretch out on the settees, brew a fresh cup of tea (no stewed thermos rubbish) – and (let it be whispered) use the loo if needed.
So far, so good – and in summer, spring and autumn no problem. Now, however, winter is coming upon us. The ‘van lives outdoors so I have drained down the water tanks and the water heater – no hardship for a spur of the moment day out – one or two 2 litre bottles of water are adequate. But the toilet? I have emptied it as I shudder at the thought of either the waste tank or the flush tank freezing up. Re-instating for a quick day out seems to present a bit of a drag and I was wondering if anyone has tried my possible solution which is to remove the waste cassette and store it (after emptying!) in the garage where it will not be subjected to freezing temperatures. I run an oil filled radiator 24/7 in the ‘van itself so the interior won’t get down to freezing either. With the waste cassette removed the space it normally occupies can be filled with insulation – polystyrene foam cut to shape to fill the cavity is what I have in mind – and my hope is that the combination of this and the relatively warm ‘van interior will enable me to leave the flush tank with fluid in it.
Is this a reasonable idea? Or a disaster waiting to happen?
I can't really answer your question but I can say that when in Northern Italy in Jan 06 - in "evil te,peratures", the contents of the cassette and the flush water tank did not freeze.
The heat from the inside of the van must have assisted in this.
You can get a type of anti freeze to put in the flush tank - available at accessory shops.
Rapide561
______________________________________________________________ Our long trip around Europe - blog now online at www.swift-kontiki.co.uk
I guess it is sheer luck but our van is left outside at a fairly exposed farm site. Until this year we had never drained the flush tank - we forgot it rather than on purpose. It has never frozen and the van has been really cold inside.
We have drained it this year though.
It is a pain to have to do so much "work" for a few hours away though. We get through loo fluid at a fair rate too.
We don't usually drain either the top or bottom tank of our Thetford cassette and use the van for days out every week. I do have a 500w heater on frost stat adjacent to the loo so with the door open some heat gets through. I believe Thetford claim that their pink flush fluid has some antifreeze properties if used at double strength. I have bought an additive for the flush tank but haven't seen it in the accessory shops for few years.
I remember reading on a website a while back (can't find a link!) about the make up of various car antifreezes and Comma Coldstream was MonoPropylene Glycol based which is ok for the seals. Don't know if it's still available.
There is some US sourced antifreeze for potable water systems that costs about £40 a gallon Seen it in B'hills)
Steve
______________________________________________________________ Steve & Sheila
Read about our 2011 tour to Spain and Portugal
at
www.motorhomeandaway.com
If you don't want to fill the flush tank, why not fill another 2 litre bottle with flush fluid as a temporary solution. Emptying the waste tank will still be required but thats not much hassel
Not being a scientist or anything else for that matter that is important would it not be a fair assumption that if you ensure you do a poo would not the break down of this offering cause some heat as it is attacked by the chemicals, bio or otheriwise. Of course, I can see the problem of trying to get one in the waste tank as well especially as the sink drain is so small and has a grill like aperture and it would be a nightmare squashing it down but perhaps the waste tank would allow some expansion if indeed it froze up.
This could have some merit Pusser. Maybe you ought to have a go in your van and let us all know how you get on Then we can decide if a similar approach is for us
Graham
Of course I would, for the sake of science, endeavour to see if my idea works but my missus is very funny about these sort of things. She has remained untouched by the spirit of adventure and the cause of scientific research.
You could half fill plastic bottles with various mixtures of blue/water and pink flush/water, stick it in your home freezer (don't know what temperature that is) and see if it freezes. I might try it myself before we go ski-ing this Christmas.
Cheers Max
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Greece
Seen it in B'hills)
Then we can decide if a similar approach is for us 
