View Poll Results: What method do you use to winterize?
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Antifreeze only using water pump
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20 |
46.51% |
Blowout system with compressed air only
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6 |
13.95% |
Compressed air and antifreeze
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14 |
32.56% |
Stay where its warm
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2 |
4.65% |
I don`t winterize, will take my chances
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1 |
2.33% |
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09-23-2016, 07:48 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Port Orchard
Posts: 2,065
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How do you winterize? POLL
For those of you who do their own winterizing, I'd like to know what method you use.
Personally, I made an adapter for the city water inlet and use air set at 35 lbs. I finish up by putting a cup of RV antifreeze in the three P traps.
__________________
Don
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09-23-2016, 07:52 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Newburgh
Posts: 6,307
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I drain and bypass my hot water heater, blow out the lines but only use 20 - 25 psi, then draw antifreeze into my system via the water pump. There are a few more steps but this is the abridged version...
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2022 33RBTS
Progressive Industries EMS - Hardwired
Equalizer 4 Point WDH
2021 Ford F350 7.3
Air Lift Rear Bags w/ On Board Compressor (Pending)
2016 28BHBE - (Traded and Missed already)
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09-23-2016, 08:17 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Where ever the boss says we're going.
Posts: 16,109
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Head South..
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DISNEY LOVERS
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09-23-2016, 08:27 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Alberta
Posts: 557
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Call the local mobile RV guy. What happens after that is magic....
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09-23-2016, 08:27 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 849
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First up, we always end our camping season on a site with a sewer and we make sure we get the black and gray tanks nice and clean. We then close the dump valves but leave the tanks empty. This is the only time we do NOT add water to the black after dumping.
We take all of the clothes and food out. The only things left in the camper are plates, utensils and assorted kitchenware. Then in the storage compartments we still keep the distribution bars, lights, signs and other decorating stuff.
Once that's done we clean and dust everything. Windows, screens, counter tops, sinks, fridges, toilet, sink and more. We even steam clean our carpets.
Next up is the water. We open the relief valve on the water heater and pull the drain plug. We open up the drains on the fresh water tanks. We then open up the low point drains on the water system and then open up the hot and cold lines on every single faucet and showerhead.
Next we bypass our water heater by turning the appropriate knobs and close all the faucets and make sure the low point drains are closed. We then have a fitting to connect our air compressor to the city water connection outside the camper and set the compressor to 20psi. Now I'll go inside and put a solo cup under a faucet and slowly open the cold line as the compressor pushes the water out. Once the faucet starts spewing air I close it and open the hot and collect the water. I do this for each faucet and showerhead. I also cycle through all the settings on the showerhead and I also do it to the tub filler. I catch all the water in solo cups and toss it outside so that I don't have water going down the drain.
Next up is the RV antifreeze. We usually use 3 gallons. Make sure that your water pump is set to suck fluid in through the hose and not through the freshwater tank. Hopefully you have this type of system. Then insert the water pump hose into antifreeze and turn on the water pump. The water pump will begin sucking in antifreeze and filling the lines until the lines are full. In our case, it takes roughly 1/2 - 3/4 of a gallon until it stops. Then I go to each faucet and open the cold line until I see pink coming out. Then I close it and do the same to hot. Make sure you do every line. Again, I cycle through all the settings on the showerhead and use the tub filler too. Don't forget the toilet. We usually keep the handle down for a few seconds to get more antifreeze in the black. Once we get off the toilet pedal we'll pour anther cup or two directly into the bowl so it builds up. The next step is one a lot of people forget. We now go outside and do the hot/cold lines in the outdoor shower until we see pink. Only open either the hot or cold line at once so you know that the line is full. That's impossible to know if you open both lines at the same time. Whatever antifreeze we have left we'll pour down the shower and sinks so that each p trap should be full of antifreeze.
We then fill some solo cups or old socks up with moth balls and put them in various cabinets and places around the camper. We'll put a dog flea collar on the gas lines behind the exterior panels on the fridge and water heater. We then use duct tape to cover the vents holes on the water heater and fridge exterior panels.
Some people just use air. Some people just use antifreeze. We like to use both so that you know that there is little to no water left in your lines. :-)
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2013 Jayco Jay Flight 26RLS - 2013 1500 Ram Big Horn
2013 Jayco White Hawk 28DSBH - 2010 V8 Tundra
2012 Jayco X17Z SOLD!:Beerchug:
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09-23-2016, 09:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Wheatfield, New York
Posts: 1,069
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I'm too lazy to drag out the air compressor. If you let the water pump run for a while before putting the hose into the pink juice it will build up enough air to push most of the water out of the lines. Running antifreeze through it will take care of the rest.
Don't buy the cheap alcohol based antifreeze; it will dry out your blade valves and gaskets. I use Prestone--it's about $5 per gallon at Wallymart.
Don't forget the shower hose/head. Like I did once.
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2009 Jayco Jay Feather 17C 130W Solar, 2021 F150 2.7L Eco Boost, 2021 Toyota Highlander
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09-23-2016, 09:44 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Port Orchard
Posts: 2,065
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Isaacs
Don't buy the cheap alcohol based antifreeze; it will dry out your blade valves and gaskets. I use Prestone--it's about $5 per gallon,
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Wow, I didn't realize that there is different types of RV/boat antifreeze. Did a search on it and found that, like you said, the cheap stuff contains alcohol and can cause seal and other problems. Thanks for the heads up!
__________________
Don
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09-23-2016, 10:25 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Wherever I wake up in the RV
Posts: 1,988
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I don't winterize. Like GRUMPY said, we head south
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2014 Golden Burgundy Seneca 37FS
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09-24-2016, 06:56 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
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Actually I park mine under a palm tree... but sometimes to get there I have to blow out the system..
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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09-24-2016, 07:23 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Merritt Island, FL
Posts: 191
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What's Winterizing?
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'16 28BHBE / Elite / Thermal / Dual AC / 50 Amp / 12K Equalizer
'15 F250 Lariat CC FX4 6.2 w/ 3.73 / Air Lift 5000's / Bilstein 4600 HD's / Bilstein 5100 Steering Stabilzer / Hellwig Sway Bar / ARE Z Cap
'12 X19H Hybrid (Sold)
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09-24-2016, 08:52 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Secret Cove
Posts: 10,701
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Trial and error at first then I wrote a note for myself. Lost the note.
Wrote another 3 notes and put them throughout the TT.
Usually find one when I need it.
Then proceed.
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2010 Jayco Feather Sport 22'6" (sold)DrawTite,12,000 lbs. 2017 Jayco 212 QBW BAJA (bought)
2011 Ford F-150 XLT SCab 4x4 Tow Package
"If you can't be smart; be stubborn.". DG.
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