To Winterize or Not to Winterize? That is the Question

[TimHolt]

I live in El Paso Texas.
Last year, it got below freezing about 3 times during the winter.
On average, it freezes about 30 days out of the winter but rarely stays below freezing during the day. I would say that the number of days it stays below 32 degrees is about 1 per season maybe two.

So, would you winterize your MH? Or just empty all the tanks and leave all of the valves open on the faucets? I notice all of the dealers winterize, but they might just be that they are shipped that way...

First winter ever with an RV..so forgive my ignorance. I

[klpoppe]

At a minimum I would drain all the lines and fresh tanks (including water heater) and used an air compressor to blow out the lines. It would only take a few minutes and prevent any potential damage that could occur.

[WDW]

It depends, will there be an extended period of time during that cold weather when you won't be traveling? If so, go the next step beyond blowing it out with pressurized air and add the antifreeze to the system. The cost is negligible however the prevention is worth a SAVING A lot of money and hassle. When doing pressurized winterization, make sure you open and close the valves several times with the system pressurized to really work all of the water out of the lines. When you're done make sure you also pressure blow the black tank washers . Once that's done pull the inlet screens out and push your finger in that tab to remove any water from that valves.

[TimHolt]

Using an air compressor to blow out the lines...
Any videos on how to do that?

[GeorgiaRV]

Originally Posted by TimHolt

Using an air compressor to blow out the lines...
Any videos on how to do that?

Search on YouTube there are several good videos on it.

[WDW]

You need an adapter. Buy the brass version. Do not exceed 30 - 40 pounds of pressure.

[ALJO]

"Better be safe than sorry" it doesn't take much to drain the whole system and blow out with air. RV antifreeze is inexpensive to pour down the sink/shower traps. Just use your 40 lbs. water reducer inline and let the air blow through by open a tap at the time. Be sure to have all the valves in "Winterize" position.

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by TimHolt

Using an air compressor to blow out the lines...
Any videos on how to do that?

As with most things, its all right here on the forum!

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f1...12-a-9335.html

[BJR]

I had the one with the Schrader valve but that requires two people. I got one of these for this year:
Camco 36143 Blow Out Plug with Brass Quick Connect

That way I can hook it up and walk around instead of having someone help.

[drk98]

We were in a similar situation when we lived in Houston.. As others said.. I would blow the lines out and pour some anti-freeze in the drains. Cheap and easy protection just in case.

[pconroy]

You do realize that the day you decide to not winterize is the evening of 20*F temps?

[TimHolt]

I know...But I don't know if I should if perhaps during the winter I want to go camping somewhere...

[Rustysocket]

Originally Posted by TimHolt

I know...But I don't know if I should if perhaps during the winter I want to go camping somewhere...

Mutually exclusive. One has absolutely no bearing on the other... unless you like camping with broken pipes and water leaks.

[Jason]

Pay the $10 for a few jugs of anti-freeze and winterize. That money is nothing compared to the costs and time for cracked water lines and burst pipes. Can never predicate the weather anywhere in the world, never know what this winter will be like, play it safe than sorry

[TimHolt]

Clarification:
Okay, so I watched the video on blowing out your lines.
If you blow out your lines so there is no water in them, why add antifreeze?
What are you stopping from freezing if the lines are basically empty?

i could understand dumping some in the toilet if there was some standing water in one of the big tanks...but if the hoses have no water in them, even if there was a small amount, wouldn't it just expand a bit if it froze? There is a lot of expansion space available in the hoses that surely would take up any space that the expanding water.

If you left the faucets open..would not that even give you even more space for ware expansion?

[Harvard]

Do not forget to winterize the p traps. Also, the weakest link (to freezing) in your entire water system is PROBABLY the toilet water valve. How do I know?

[Bookemdanno]

Originally Posted by Harvard

Do not forget to winterize the p traps. Also, the weakest link (to freezing) in your entire water system is PROBABLY the toilet water valve. How do I know?

I'm with you on that one!!

[Subaru297]

Originally Posted by TimHolt

Clarification:
Okay, so I watched the video on blowing out your lines.
If you blow out your lines so there is no water in them, why add antifreeze?
What are you stopping from freezing if the lines are basically empty?

i could understand dumping some in the toilet if there was some standing water in one of the big tanks...but if the hoses have no water in them, even if there was a small amount, wouldn't it just expand a bit if it froze? There is a lot of expansion space available in the hoses that surely would take up any space that the expanding water.

If you left the faucets open..would not that even give you even more space for ware expansion?

The reason is that it is hard to get all the water out. Once you are done blowing everything out a bit of water can pool back in an area and then freeze. If this is a straight section of pipe it may be able to expand but if it is an elbow or some other fitting or your pump expansion could break stuff.

[bankr63]

Tim,


One other option. Do you park your rig where you have access to shore power? Considering how far South you are, you might want to consider just putting a small space heater inside your unit for the few nights it gets that cold. Of course you would have to remember to turn it on, but as long as your plumbing runs are all inside the coach, that should keep it warm enough to prevent anything from freezing up. I would still drain the fresh and pop the low point drains, but I don' t think I would bother blowing out and all the other tricks for such a warm climate, especially if you are still using the unit semi-regularly.


Up here in Canada where it gets darned cold a heater is all I do for the plumbing in our unheated crawlspace for a 4 season cottage; it almost never dips down below freezing down there even though it's -40 outside (I monitor with a remote sensing thermometer). Sure, I winterize the heck out of our TT, but it does freeze down to the outside temperature. As you state it, your rig should never really freeze, and keeping a little bit of heat in there on the coldest days may be all you need.


ETA - about half the guys giving you advice here live up in Canada where we are pretty rabid about winterizing. I don't think the risk is that severe on the Southern US border...

[che57vy]

I remember the ole trick dad used he kept a bulb burning in the pump house water never froze, if bulb was out pump froze up. amazing how much heat the old bulbs put out. I always winterize no fun trying to fix pex hidden in walls.