Author Topic: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps  (Read 7736 times)

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Offline Skip Pipes

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Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« on: November 11, 2015, 11:53:56 PM »
For this weekend I'm thinking of putting my race car back into the trailer at night, and trying to keep it warm. Otherwise, I'll have to pull the trailer of the lake bed to higher ground. Any ideas?

Skip Pipes
Skip's Garage
Builder of the SUNBEAM ALPINE Police Interceptor

Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2015, 09:28:07 AM »
How warm are you intending to keep it?

Even if it dips below freezing - I see it hit 28 in Lancaster this morning - in an enclosed trailer, it's highly unlikely that water in the block will freeze, unless it stays that way for a few days.

If you're looking to keep the block warm, these are handy -

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200339105_200339105?cm_mmc=Google-pla&utm_source=Google_PLA&utm_medium=Automotive%20%3E%20Engine%20Heaters%20%2B%20Blankets&utm_campaign=Kats%20Heaters&utm_content=17101&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=17101&gclid=Cj0KEQiAjpGyBRDgrtLqzbHayb8BEiQANZauhzHye3TdoCCvA1RAKDwrHXuLjTUoxK328rhARs5MSNIaAme68P8HAQ

Used one on the engine and one on the diff.
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline RichFox

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2015, 09:34:23 AM »
Never froze the water in my block at El Mirage. The water in my transfer hoses turned to slush. Effectively blocking any water flow. At the time I was far enough back in line to become aware of the problem. Not so lucky for some of the guys in front. That's what they get for coming out on Wednesday to hold a place in line.

Offline Finallygotit

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2015, 09:35:40 AM »
If you have a generator handy you could use one of these.


I have one and it puts out quite a bit of safe heat.

YMMV
Dan
Tucson, AZ

Offline kiwi belly tank

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2015, 11:04:39 AM »
Just drain the water :?
  Sid.

Offline tauruck

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2015, 11:07:42 AM »
Yup, a drought, like Sid said. :-D

Offline SPARKY

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2015, 11:31:21 AM »
What I did one Nov. when it was projected to get down to 18 that night   Was get some packing quilts and a big Tarp.

put the wheels on one edge of the tarp.

Fired the eng off and brought it up to 200 degs. --as soon as the headers cooled down draped the packing quilts we had rented all over the eng bay. part of the car--down to the ground

Then pulled the tarp over the car--Jacked up the other tires and tucked the tarp under the tires---now wind could not blow my blankets off
Miss LIBERTY,  changing T.K.I.  to noise, dust, rust, BLUE HATS & hopefully not scrap!!

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."   Helen Keller

We are going to explore the racing N words NITROUS & NITRO!

Offline tallguy

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2015, 08:42:06 PM »
The more I read on this forum, the more respect I have for the experience and
knowledge of the folks that design, build, and race. 

So I'm posting for my own education here.

Why would one not just use some antifreeze? 

Offline Stainless1

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2015, 08:49:38 PM »
Tall... as we tell everybody...
Get a rule book
Stainless
Red Hat 228.039, 2001, 65ci, Bockscar Lakester #1000 with a little N2O

Offline 1leg

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2015, 09:38:45 PM »
Add a couple of incandescent lights inside the trailer near the engine and run an extension cord over to one of the motor homes when they are not looking! Might want to store the fuel outside!
Jerry
SDRC Member since 2013

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Psalm 27:17

Offline Peter Jack

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #10 on: November 12, 2015, 10:14:33 PM »
The more I read on this forum, the more respect I have for the experience and
knowledge of the folks that design, build, and race. 

So I'm posting for my own education here.

Why would one not just use some antifreeze? 


Tallguy, ethylene glycol is flammable at high temperatures and has caused severe burns during a lsr crash. This is pretty common knowledge and the rule has been in effect for quite a few years now.

Pete


Offline Milwaukee Midget

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #11 on: November 12, 2015, 10:22:25 PM »
Tall... as we tell everybody...
Get a rule book

Ahhh . . . the beat down . . .

This is why we seem cranky -

A. It's $10.00
B. You're going to need one anyway, and
C. -

3.R COOLING SYSTEM:
All liquid cooling systems utilizing non-braided circulation lines shall have metal clamps at each connection. The use of plastic tubing in a cooling system is not allowed. No flammable or combustible coolants are allowed.


This is a classic example of one of the rules that, at first blush, seems weird, but PJ is right - it is a safety issue. 

The book is a good read - and if you think you have questions now, wait until you've read it!  :wink:

Welcome aboard, Tall.

Sincerely,
Midget
"Problems are almost always a sign of progress."  Harold Bettes
Well, I guess we're making a LOT of progress . . .  :roll:

Offline Speed Limit 1000

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #12 on: November 12, 2015, 10:48:43 PM »
Tall... as we tell everybody...
Get a rule book

Ahhh . . . the beat down . . .

This is why we seem cranky -

Sincerely,
Midget

Midget, You are becoming a Limey gentleman. Must be the car :evil:
John Gowetski, red hat @ 221.183 MPH MSA Lakester, Bockscar #1000 60 ci normally aspirated w/N20

Offline jimmy six

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #13 on: November 12, 2015, 11:58:57 PM »
Before blaming your typical ethylene glycol it must be said that what was in the vehicle in which the problem occurred as I heard it was NOT what is normally used in automobiles today. There are many liquids used as coolants today and since one caught fire in a blow up, a rule was written to outlaw coolants other than water. It's like spanking all your children when one crosses the street when told not too. It is probably impossible to regulate the rule any other way but in my opinion unfortunate. I could not see a 10% or so antifreeze mix catching fire but I'm not in the position to test it. In our dirt track car its water only with a water wetter product if you want. It is, what it is.......JD
First GMC 6 powered Fuel roadster over 200, with 2 red hats. Pit crew for Patrick Tone's Super Stock #49 Camaro

Offline SPARKY

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Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2015, 12:26:11 AM »


 
 
Re: Keeping an enclosed trailer warm in freezing temps

« Reply #12 on: Today at 05:48:43 AM »

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Quote from: Milwaukee Midget on Today at 05:22:25 AM


Quote from: Stainless1 on Today at 03:49:38 AM

Tall... as we tell everybody...
Get a rule book


Ahhh . . . the beat down . . .

This is why we seem cranky -

Sincerely,
Midget

Midget, You are becoming a Limey gentleman. Must be the car evil



Now that funny  :-D
Miss LIBERTY,  changing T.K.I.  to noise, dust, rust, BLUE HATS & hopefully not scrap!!

"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."   Helen Keller

We are going to explore the racing N words NITROUS & NITRO!