Winter Operations Guide

Below 32F — Required Measures

These measures are required on every trailer deployment where temperatures drop below freezing. Skipping any of these puts your water system, waste system, and equipment at risk of freeze damage.

• Heat trace cable on all exposed plumbing: Electric heating cables installed on all exposed water supply and drain lines. Heat trace activates automatically when temperatures drop below 32F, keeping water flowing and preventing burst pipes.
• Pipe insulation (R-5 minimum): All exposed water and waste lines wrapped with R-5 or higher insulation. Insulation slows heat loss so the heat trace can keep up with ambient cold. Uninsulated pipes freeze even with heat trace in extreme cold.
• Skirting: Installed around the trailer base to protect under-trailer plumbing from wind chill and ambient cold. Skirting creates a semi-enclosed space that retains heat radiating from the trailer floor, significantly reducing freeze risk for undercarriage plumbing.
• Water Box protection: Heat tape applied directly to IBC totes. The Water Box stores 660 gallons in dual IBC totes — without heat tape, the water inside will freeze solid in sustained cold. Insulated tote blankets and recirculation systems provide additional protection.
• Antifreeze in waste drain lines: RV-safe antifreeze added to waste drain lines prevents standing water in traps and low points from freezing. This is especially important for restroom and shower trailers where drain traps hold water by design.
• Generator sizing increase (+15-20%): Cold weather HVAC heating loads are significantly higher than cooling loads. Increase your generator sizing by 15-20% to handle the additional heating demand without overloading. Diesel generators also produce less power in extreme cold.

Arctic Packages (Below 0F)

For deployments where temperatures regularly drop below 0F, standard winterization is not enough. Arctic packages upgrade the trailer structure itself to handle extreme cold.

Generator Winterization

• Block heaters: Keep engine block warm for reliable cold starts. Essential for diesel generators in sub-zero conditions.
• Winter-grade diesel: Anti-gel additives prevent fuel from gelling in sub-zero temperatures. Standard diesel begins to gel at approximately 15F.
• Battery maintenance: Cold weather reduces battery capacity by up to 50%. We monitor battery condition and replace as needed to prevent cold-start failures.

Emergency Freeze Protocol

If your water system freezes despite winterization measures, follow these five steps immediately to minimize damage.

1. 1 Shut off water supply immediately. Turn off the Water Box pump or close the city water valve. This prevents additional water from entering the frozen system and building pressure that can burst pipes.
2. 2 Open all faucets to relieve pressure. Open every faucet in the trailer to both hot and cold positions. This relieves pressure in the lines and allows water to flow once the freeze is cleared.
3. 3 Apply heat to frozen sections. Use a heat gun, portable heater, or heat lamp directed at the frozen pipe section. Work from the faucet end back toward the supply. Never use an open flame.
4. 4 Inspect for cracks before restoring water. Once the freeze clears, visually inspect all pipes and fittings for cracks, splits, or deformation before turning the water supply back on. A cracked pipe under pressure will flood the trailer interior.
5. 5 Call Stahla service: (844) 900-3190. Report the freeze event so we can inspect the system, repair any damage, and upgrade winterization to prevent recurrence.

Planning for Cold Weather

Tell us your expected temperature range when requesting a quote. We will configure equipment with appropriate freeze protection and adjust service schedules for winter conditions. Increased service frequency may be needed for water refills during cold weather.