Chalkie Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 I tried searching for this topic and came up with lots of results not exactly this. So, are they worth it or not? They are a lot of money for something that may or may not be needed, but since this winter is getting bizarre in terms of temps for where we are, I am wondering what others think. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXiceman Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 Personally, I do not feel the heated hoses are worth the cost of effort. The hose does not protect the faucet or water source. If on the rare occasion that we experience weather that can freeze the hose, I fill my fresh water tank and disconnect the hose and drain it. I also close the gray tank and make sure I clear the sewer hose. Water filters go in the basement for a couple of nights. If I need more water or drain my tanks, I can get the hoses hooked up again. Ken Quote Amateur radio operator, 2023 Cougar 22MLS, 2022 F150 Lariat 4x4 Off Road, Sport trim <br />Travel with 1 miniature schnauzer, 1 standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Rick Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 I stayed in DC for over a year, the park had heated risers. I made my own by buying the heat strip (Home Depot) and foam pipe covering. Duct taped together all for about $30.00 Much cheaper than the $100+ for a heated hose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollinbrian Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 As a full-timer who may spend a week or two well below freezing it is totally worth it. I've done both - made my own out of Pex and heat tape and purchased a pre-made hose. Not having to go out every day or two in the below freezing to hook up and fill the tank is worth the cost. Once we get south or it warms up I'll roll it up and save for next time. Quote 2017 Jayco Designer 37rs "Fiona" 2007 Volvo 670 "Henry" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirtyboots Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 I bought one fall 2019 and so glad - for me it's much easier and takes away the 'what if'. I use the split roll of insulation you can get at Home Depot or elsewhere and cut it to cover the faucet and city water inlet. Used it here in Nevada at 17* last winter and in AZ in the teens last Spring. This winter has been warmer and I may not have needed it, but I'll take that chance. For me, better safe than sorry and nothing to fiddle with. I leave it hooked up until we're past the possibility of freeze and then pack it away for next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RV_ Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 This post is for information only as I have seen folks do some dangerous things. So no recommend to do it at all. Just what worked for us.I It lasted the whole time we full timed, seven years. I did this in 1998 using the right length of hose for our winter quarters that still got down to the teens in Jan-Feb in NW Louisiana. I made the hose to length with brass fittings, and cut strips of aluminum 2" tape to put on lengthwise as it took two lengths one on each side to overlap as I wanted. Then I taped the heat tape (Which is actually more of a cable than tape) to the now aluminum clad hose. Then I covered it in pipe insulation leaving the thermostat side exposed to turn on and off at the right temps. See pics below I took while making and using it. I clad the hose in aluminum tape for two reasons. One was to not damage the hose with the heat all in one place on the hose. And two to distribute the heat around the hose to heat the hose and water more evenly/effectively. It worked. When we built our RV space I put the water spigot 12" deep in a piece of PVC pipe such that I could stuff foam in it too. It worked perfectly despite all the horror stories folks told about heat tape causing damage and fires. The only change I made to mine was to replace the plastic ends with brass. Hope that helps, although there are many ways to skin a cat. Quote RV/Derekhttp://www.rvroadie.com Email on the bottom of my website page.Retired AF 1971-1998 When you see a worthy man, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy man, look inside yourself. - Confucius “Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities.” ... Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandsys Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 I've stayed in parks that insulate the faucet and pipe on site so as to be usable all winter. That let me just hook up my hose to fill my tank then drain the hose and store it until needed again. Not many parks in the northland stay open so those that do find ways to supply what their customers need. And that's a good place to learn what YOU need. Linda Quote Blog: http://sandcastle.sandsys.org/ Former Rigs: Liesure Travel van, Winnebago View 24H, Winnebago Journey 34Y, Sportsmobile Sprinter conversion van Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GR "Scott" Cundiff Posted February 11, 2021 Report Share Posted February 11, 2021 Might be better to use onboard water. You can always temporarily hook up to refill. Now, if you are staying monthly the heated hose might be a good investment. Quote Our "Here and There" Blog 2005 Safari Cheetah Motorhome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalkie Posted February 12, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2021 The question resolved itself in a manner of speaking. The park we are in is requiring that hoses be disconnected from the taps whether they are heated hoses or not. Problem solved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted February 12, 2021 Report Share Posted February 12, 2021 1 hour ago, Chalkie said: The park we are in is requiring that hoses be disconnected from the taps whether they are heated hoses or not. They are probably worried about their hydrants freezing. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalkie Posted February 12, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2021 8 hours ago, Kirk W said: They are probably worried about their hydrants freezing. They are, and it is their park and their rules, I am not faulting the decision but I now no longer see a need for the heated hose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat & Pete Posted February 12, 2021 Report Share Posted February 12, 2021 57 minutes ago, Chalkie said: They are, and it is their park and their rules, I am not faulting the decision but I now no longer see a need for the heated hose. Next thing is your park will be looking to lighten your wallet more because they helped you save all that heated hose money . LOL Quote Goes around , comes around . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ms60ocb Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 I have been in parks that want you leave a faucet to drtp. Your choice whether you leave your grey tank open. The faucets where not protected. Clay Quote Clay & Marcie Too old to play in the snow Diesel pusher and previously 2 FW and small Class C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalkie Posted February 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 2 hours ago, Pat & Pete said: Next thing is your park will be looking to lighten your wallet more because they helped you save all that heated hose money . LOL ROFL 5 minutes ago, ms60ocb said: I have been in parks that want you leave a faucet to drtp. Your choice whether you leave your grey tank open. The faucets where not protected. Clay They do not want you to drip the faucets. They have their own private well and water treatment plant and they have a limited amount of water in a tank (about 8000 gallons) and do not want the entire park (about 100 sites) to drain that tank. Again, their park, their rules. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk W Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 They probably have frost free, drain back hydrants. They are fine as long as the valve has been closed. Quote Good travelin !...............KirkFull-time 11+ years...... Now seasonal travelers.Kirk & Pam's Great RV Adventure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalkie Posted February 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 10 minutes ago, Kirk W said: They probably have frost free, drain back hydrants. They are fine as long as the valve has been closed. They do. This is a veteran owned and managed park and they have invested a lot into upgrading the infrastructure of the park. I appreciate the way they manage and the personal touch they bring to everyday interactions. I can certainly live with their rules when the weather is so darned weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXiceman Posted February 13, 2021 Report Share Posted February 13, 2021 Park where we are has told us to drip faucets and protect their outside hose faucets. Even went to far as to suggest that WE buy a heat strip and wrap THEIR faucet and plug it into electricity that WE have to pay for. The city is telling people to NOT drip faucets as the water pressure will drop too low in the system and then they will have to issue a boil water order. Our normal procedure is to fill the fresh water tank, disconnect and put the water regulator water filters in the basement to prevent freezing. So what do we do to handle this? The parks water supply is a plastic pipe about 2 feet long attached to a 4" x 4" post. Ken Quote Amateur radio operator, 2023 Cougar 22MLS, 2022 F150 Lariat 4x4 Off Road, Sport trim <br />Travel with 1 miniature schnauzer, 1 standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
packnrat Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 worth it or not? ask a lot of people in texas right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalkie Posted February 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 7 hours ago, packnrat said: worth it or not? ask a lot of people in texas right now. Wouldn't matter to me as the park I am in (in Texas) doesn't want their taps left on, and now as long as the subfreezing temps have hung around they have shut their water treatment plant down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXiceman Posted February 17, 2021 Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 Several cities around us have ask people to NOT drip faucets as it will cause the water pressure to drop to low levels and then they are forced to issue a Boil Water notice. Well it happened, they have all issued boil water notices. With the power off and so many running out of propane, how are they to boil water now? We are still operating off of our fresh water tank for now. Ken Quote Amateur radio operator, 2023 Cougar 22MLS, 2022 F150 Lariat 4x4 Off Road, Sport trim <br />Travel with 1 miniature schnauzer, 1 standard schnauzer and one African Gray parrot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalkie Posted February 17, 2021 Author Report Share Posted February 17, 2021 1 minute ago, TXiceman said: Several cities around us have ask people to NOT drip faucets as it will cause the water pressure to drop to low levels and then they are forced to issue a Boil Water notice. Where our daughter lives they sent messages to residents telling them to drip faucets, and just as you stated they were then forced to send out messages saying to boil water. Now they have no water at all unless the city can "import" water from neighboring cities. The mismanagement at state and local levels for this weather emergency is appalling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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