Snowy mountains in winter

[rik672001]

Hi
We are heading to the Snowy mountains in July to see the snow. I have never been to the snow and have a few questions.
What do you do about the water in the Tvan hoses, does it freeze and is there anything that i have to watch out for in regards to the van.
Also what is the easiest way to keep the Tvan warm when free camping.
Are the camping grounds busy that time of year around Tumut or outback NSW

Thanks

[Gumb]

If you camp below the snow line and go up for the day, you shouldn't have any problem with the water freezing. We've camped at minus 5 and had no issue but I was worried about the diesel in the car which can be a problem so make sure you get Alpine diesel up there.

[Shaker]

I have had the water freeze several times even when not above any snow line, once at Big Billy Bore in the Victorian NW desert & also at Farina, a word of warning if you a diaphragm style hand pump, don't touch it until the water thaws.

[Cruiser 105Tvan]

Always get enough water to use from the night before. 
Store it in a bucket/Big kettle, to warm it in the morning.
Just in case it does freeze.

[Ray]

We take our portable diesel heater in cold weather, allows a warm camper in any weather and even a warm shower tent, bliss.

Ray

[BrianK]

Ray,

Good looking solution - was it a kit or something you put together ?

Cheers,

Brian

[Ray]

It was a Belief 2kw Diesel heater kit from CFR at Minchinbury which I built into a Bunnings toolbox.

Similar units now seem to be about $300.

[Wetjala]

Water, when it freezes expands in volume so . . .
- Don't fill the water tank(s) completely otherwise they will split.
- Same goes for the hoses but it's unlikely you will be able to fully drain them so carry a spare in case you do split one. Also carry spare hose joiners (brass not cheap plastic ones) too because the plastic ones used in the T-Van may also split or leak (and the joiner can be used to repair a damaged section of hose that has been cut out.)
- If your T-Van has the Wabasto water heater fitted then (according to the manufacturers manual) don't let the storage tank, or pipes, freeze - big bucks to fix!
- If you have time (probably not) I would suggest lagging all water pipes with an insulation tube like that used on A/C coolant pipes.

The fibre glass canopy lid on the T-Van should be okay as the winter temperatures here in Oz aren't too extreme but keep a check in those skylight thingies; different materials expand and contract at different rates/amounts so you may inadvertently create a leak point which may not be apparent until you take the T-Van back into a wet environment.

As per previous advice, make sure you fill the diesel tanks (at least 75%) with winter-grade or alpine mix fuel otherwise the wax in the diesel will solidify blocking fuel lines, the fuel filter and if your vehicle actually starts then performance will be severely degraded due to reduced fuel rail pressure. (Technical: When the temp of diesel reaches what's called the "cloud point" wax begins to form thickening the fuel. The Aust Standards stipulate that Alpine Mix fuel cloud point should be 4degC below regular cloud point.) Alpine mix diesel is normal diesel mixed with heating oil. Alpine mix will be advertised at service stations on routes prior to entry into the "high country" or even at service stations in the mountains, like Jindabyne.

Enjoy your trip in July. Just remember the brass monkey caution!