winterizing

[Casey Golema]

New to RVs ' I have a 2012 25 RKS Jayco and I have no idea how to winterize it other than blow out lines. How much pressure is too much, what about the tanks and sink traps ect ect

[GrumpyDad]

When blowing out you don't really need much pressure, you need air volume. My process is to make sure at least one tap is always open any time the air is connected, because I have no idea how much pressure it would take to cause an issue.

Open one tap cold side, stand tehre until that is blowing only air, open that same tap hot side, then close cold side, then once hot side is clear, walk to next tap, open that cold side, walk back and close first tap hot side etc.

Pour "some" antifreeze into each sink, tub, shower, and down the toilet. It doesn't take much. Make sure the fresh tank drain is open. Then I drain the little bits that end up in the black and grey tanks into a bucket and dispose, it's usually a gallon or so.

Oh yeah, drain and bypass your water heater tank before you do any of this.

Then I pull my batteries and take them home to charge and put them in my basement. I usually charge them again halfway through winter and once again before I reinstall for the next season.

[Sundancer330]

Originally Posted by Casey Golema

New to RVs ' I have a 2012 25 RKS Jayco and I have no idea how to winterize it other than blow out lines. How much pressure is too much, what about the tanks and sink traps ect ect

I blow mine out at 40psi, PEX is rated to 100psi but I would trust that Jayco built the system to spec and that much is not needed anyway. Also make sure if you have an exterior shower to blow it out.

[jimp]

I've read/heard (can't remember source) that 25-30psi is safe and effective and what I use when blowing out the water lines on my GH. Google it and see what everyone else says.

[GrumpyDad]

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

I blow mine out at 40psi, PEX is rated to 100psi but I would trust that Jayco built the system to spec and that much is not needed anyway. Also make sure if you have an exterior shower to blow it out.

I agree I wouldn't be worried about blowing apart the PEX itself, but the connections, and the fittings. Probably not going to destroy anything at 40 PSI, but easy enough to always leave one faucet open.

[mikefos]

Originally Posted by GrumpyDad

...

Oh yeah, drain and bypass your water heater tank before you do any of this.

Any reason to this if the plug is installed? I usually don't mess w/ this after draining it; that is, the plug goes back in to keep critters out.

[JFlightRisk]

We put the plug back in, too, but bypassing the water heater keeps the antifreeze out, and you don't want 6 gallons of A/F in it when you pump it through the pipes. Being in Texas, you may not even use the A/F in it.

[MagooIsBoo]

Hi, new to winterizing here, do I need to do anything to the black tank, other than put some antifreeze down the bowl?

[The Owl]

Originally Posted by MagooIsBoo

Hi, new to winterizing here, do I need to do anything to the black tank, other than put some antifreeze down the bowl?

Make sure to blow out the line for the tank flush system if you have one installed. I also make sure to leave some antifreeze in the bowl to keep the seal wet.