The manual says we can "flush out" the black and gray tanks. So why do we need antifreeze? We will hopefully be removing the fresh water line in the next few weeks after moving back into remodeled house. If we need antifreeze, where is the best price for it? Is it cheaper if we wait a month or so to buy? Anything I am missing on winterizing the interior? We also need to get the exterior protected for the winter. How do you do it? The strong winds here carry dust and sandblast the finish on autos, (and spark arrestors on chimneys), and I know tarps will quickly end up shredded from winds. I saw boats heat wrapped with white plastic. Is that worth the price? Any suggestions? Thank you,
I have no idea where you are located, I'd guess prices will vary on area. Here... The red RV antifreeze is $3-4 a gal at Walmart, Fred Meyers, AIH, Lowe's, Napa, Schucks, etc. My Dad hooks up an air line to the water inlet, opens the spigots and drains the water that way, I'm not sure if he adds in antifreeze, I'd have to ask. The shrink wrap is $$$, even for boats. Around here it runs about $25 a foot. With a camper being much taller than most boats I'd imagine it would be more. Even at a boat cost a 25ft camper would be ~$500. The covers made for campers would work better than a tarp. I don't know on the wind though. We get 70-80mph winds in winter, sounds about the same as where you are, and I know there isn't much that holds up to it.
Open all of your faucets and pressure relief valve on your hot water tank. Hook up a small compressor to your water inlet and blow air thru until you have nothing but air flowing from your faucets. Then pour alittle RV anti-freeze down each sink trap and toilet and shower/tub drain. Make sure your holding tanks are empty and your done and good to go. I used to own a RV park and blew down 50 to 60 units every year.
I would suggest an RV forum would be helpfull to you such as rv.net or Outbackers.com. There's a little more to the winterization that these forums would have links to step by step directions. You most likely have a hot water tank bypass valve that would be critical to close, also need to drain the hot water tank. Etc... Battery should come out. I blow and use the pink antifreeze. Depends on your climate. Rv anti freeze is usually around 4 bucks per gallon or a little less. Don't use regular antifreeze. They make a kit to pump the antifreeze in at your water pump. You might already have one installed at the water pump. I'm not a fan of covers. They can flap and do damage in wind and also collect and hold moisture. Find indoor storage if possible. The fairgrounds around here have cheap winter indoor storage. Good luck
I had an adapter that threaded into the fresh water hookup, and blew air through it with a tire inflator. I got it at camping world or walmart for a couple dollars. I still sucked rv antifreeze thru the system, and dumped some down the traps. Compressed air won't do anything for the pump. You should have a hose that comes off near the pump for adding antifreeze. Close the valve from the tank, open the valve for that hose and stick the hose in the jug, turn the pump on. Open the faucet farthest away first until the pink stuff comes out. Don't forget the shower head, and outside shower if you have one. Two gallons was more than enough for mine. If you don't have a water heater bypass, it's easy enough to make your own. But most modernish rvs have them. If you have a manual for your unit, it probably tells you all about the process.
With our motor home (sold now) we made sure the tanks were empty and then left the covers off and the valves open. After blowing out the water lines, we than just put rv anti-freeze in all the traps. Never use tarps on an RV. One of the worst things one can do. It cost not that much more and you can have a cover that is made for your RV. These will breath rather than trapping water under a tarp. If the RV is on cement, place a short plank under the tires. If not on cement, put 2 planks under each tire. Pull the batteries or keep them charged through the winter. Prop the refrigerator doors open. That should get you ready for the cold months.
I cannot thank ALL of you enough for advice! I have forwarded these posts to dear husband. LOL Pellet and 5th Wheel Initiation all at once
Thank you! http://www.amazon.com/Camco-36153-B.../ref=lh_ni_t?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER Dear husband and I both hated the small compressor I bought for my tropical fish breeding years ago, so now he only has a large one. We have the valve stem adapter for it, but is it possible its too big and will blow something? This model fortunately has alot of pex lines..... (hope I spelled that right, blue and red plumbing lines)
I will likely get custom cover, this puppy cost too much to let it deteriorate, thank you for the input!
I doesn't take much air. That's why I like this one, as opposed to the coupler style that you just hook the hose up to. Just use a light touch with the tire inflator. Or turn the regulator down on the compressor. 10-20 psi should do it.
As long as you have enough faucets open you'll be fine. make sure you also empty the coil in the hot water heater. Just open your pressure relief valve if you do not have a bypass on it.
Appreciated! All faucets open including: kitchen sink, bath sink, shower nozzle (no tub), bypass/relief valve on hot water heater. Blow out water lines. Toilet? It has water too, should I step on foot flush while husband blows out the lines? Leave tank valves open (sounds like great advice as its well below freezing here for extended periods) Prop open fridge doors Some pink/red antifreeze in all plumbing traps Buy custom fit cover, no tarps . Pull batteries Blow out the fresh water hose extensions too? I bought nice Sears hoses...Don't want them to split from freezing Thank you all,
Toilet? It has water too, should I step on foot flush while husband blows out the lines? Yes, that will ensure no water built up in the flush valve. Your in good shape. Now go in the house and get the stove ready to fire up...........LOL
Im curious, where do you live that its already time to winterize a camper? We still have another 2 months or so here before we get freezing temps.
