rfloyd99
Colorado & Florida
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I'm winterizing my TT for the second time, following the instructions in the TT's owner's manual. The pump is plumbed with a pipe designed to be inserted into a container of antifreeze so you can pump AF throughout the entire plumbing system. This seems to result in all the pipes being full of AF, including the part of the water pump that water (and AF) pass through. This is what I did when I first winterized it three years ago. The RV survived a very cold high-altitude Colorado winter with no problems.
This time I read the separate water pump manual. It says to disconnect both inlet and outlet pipes and run the pump until all water is expelled. This would be a PITA, and would probably result in water on the pump compartment floor. The manual doesn't seem to contemplate that I could be pumping AF throughout the system. It just suggests that AF be poured down the drains to protect the P traps.
My 1st question is, can I ignore the WP manual since it seems the pump's water-containing parts will be full of antifreeze?
2nd question: The TT manual says to open the low point drains, then close them after all water has drained out of the tank. The drain valves are cheap plastic - if they're closed isn't it possible the valves could have some water in them that would then freeze? I don't remember what I did three years ago.
Some of you must be very experienced at winterizing - any suggestions?
Thanks.
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enblethen
Moses Lake, WA
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Joined: 01/05/2005
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I do not run antifreeze through the system. I use my air compressor to blow out the lines. Draining the water heater before and after blowing lines. Apply air pressure through the city water connection, then open each valve in the system, outside shower and toilet.
I use a small (cup or two) amount of antifreeze in the drains and in the toilet.
Bud
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2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker
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nickthehunter
Southgate, MI
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Drain the water heater. Then bypass the water heater - open faucets to allow air in. Then open the low point drains and drain whatever water is there out; open a couple faucets furthest away to aid this draining - close the drains. Then pump antifreeze through the whole system, every faucet, both hot and cold. Then open the low point drains again and let whatever antifreeze behind them drain. Close the drains and you should be good to go.
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rfloyd99
Colorado & Florida
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My manual recommends both methods, I chose the AF because my son-in-law helped me and that's how he always did it. Also, he had several gallons of AF available. I do drain the WH and include the drains, outside shower and toilet in the process.
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Fizz
Ottawa, Canada
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Joined: 07/28/2003
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Also...
After draining the antifreeze into a container dump it in the drain P traps.
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BB_TX
McKinney, Texas
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Joined: 04/04/2005
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With antifreeze in the pump there is no need to drain that pump.
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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In response to enblethen‘s post, no water…no freezing. Air it out.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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mooky stinks
Cicero,NY
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No need to drain pump and after winterizing you can open low point drains and let any water out and antifreeze will follow. Also don’t forget to take screen off city water connection and push check valve to let water out. Do this last after winterizing. Make sure pressrin system is minimal or you’ll get an antifreeze bath.
2020 F150 XL Screw 4x4 6.5”box
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Bobbo
Wherever I park
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The antifreeze method eliminates the need to unhook pipes and drain the water pump.
Bobbo and Lin
2017 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab w/Max Tow Package 3.5l EcoBoost V6
2017 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Here is what I do. I've been known to winterize 7 times in a year.
1. drain the water heater
2. blow out the lines with compressed air, one faucet at a time.
3. by pass the water heater
4. install antifreeze
5. blow out the antifreeze catching as much as I can.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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