De-Winterizing Question

[Lodown]

Have a question about de-winterizing our unit. We purchased our first TT, Octane 222, in November and it has been winterized and parked ever since. We are heading out later this week on our first trip and wanted to be sure that I de-winterized correctly. Any tips or checklists would be greatly appreciated.

[Iraqvet05]

I usually get a full hookup site at the start of the season and hook up to city water. Start by opening the faucets, pressurized low point drains, shower heads and the toilet valve(s) that are closest to the CW connection then work your way back. Run the water until you don't see pink.

[Lodown]

Thanks.

[sailor]

I sanitize the fresh water tank and lines in the spring. The pink stuff is gone after the bleach water and the rinse water.

[UPCamper]

Be sure your water heater bypass is returned to the normal operating position. Then just run fresh water through until everything is clear.

[Plowtoy]

De-winterizing for me:

Bring camper up to the house from storage

Install battery in the battery box (I store mine inside the house during the winter, fully charge in the fall and spring)

Plug in the camper to "shore power" from the house

Open and all low point drains and open all faucets to allow any remaining antifreeze to drain out

Close all low point drains and faucets

Close fresh water tank drain valve (I leave mine open all winter)

Fill the fresh water tank about half way with fresh water

Install the water heater drain plug (or anode if equipped, I leave mine out all winter)

Open the upper and lower bypass valves on the water heater and close the vertical (actual bypass) valve (all located behind the water heater)

Turn on the water pump and open the cold water valve farthest away from the pump (could be the toilet). Once I have water flowing, close it and open the hot (which takes awhile because you have to wait for the hot water tank to fill). Once I have water flowing, I continue to all other faucets one at a time and run them until no more pink is flowing. I also open and close my low point valve and let water run through them (incase any antifreeze is lower than the main lines)

Check to make sure there are no leaks in the water system

Check and set all tire pressures (I set mine to what the side wall of the tires states) to 80PSI in my case

Lube door latches and slide mechanisms with appropriate lubes

Do a general cleaning on the interior and exterior. Make beds, ect...ect...ect...

Sanitize the fresh water system (1/4 cup of bleach mixed with 1 gallon water treats 20 gallons) Fill water tank with solution and bleach/water mixture and run through system until you smell the bleach. Then drive camper around with solution to slosh in FW tank. Drain and rinse system until the smell of bleach is gone (may have to drain water heater, to flush)

Check and repack wheel bearings and adjust brakes

I feel like I may be missing something, but this is what I do, pretty much in that order...

[okieinalaska]

Congrats on the Octane 222, I just purchased one and it should be here Monday!

[Grumpy]

Head SOUTH before I have to winterize!

[SouthCo]

Originally Posted by Iraqvet05

I usually get a full hookup site at the start of the season and hook up to city water. Start by opening the faucets, pressurized low point drains, shower heads and the toilet valve(s) that are closest to the CW connection then work your way back. Run the water until you don't see pink.

I do the same. And our FW tank has never been used I don't do anything to it...

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by UPCamper

Be sure your water heater bypass is returned to the normal operating position. Then just run fresh water through until everything is clear.

I like to flush the lines fist, to get the pink stuff out. Then flip the bypass valves to open the water heater lines then flush/sanitize. The water heater is so large that it takes a lot of water to flush the pink stuff from the water heater, so I just avoid letting it in there.

[Lodown]

Thanks for all of the replies, very helpful. We had to leave a day early to avoid the snowstorm heading for PA so this will be my first task when we get to the campground in Florida. Happy Camping everyone!!!

[Lodown]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Got everything set up with no problems.

[norty1]

Stop in SC or Ga and do it before Fla. I can give you some easy off cg's off I-95 if interested.