Winterizing --- Antifreeze or blow'em out??

Muddydogs wrote:
It doesn't matter where you live like some like to believe unless you live where it doesn't freeze. If you live where it freezes either blow the lines and add pink to the traps or pump pink through the lines. There is no reason to blow the lines then pump pink stuff through them or pump pink stuff then blow the lines.
By pumping antifreeze through the lines it pushes most of the water out and any water that might be left will collect in the low spots along with the antifreeze and true to its name the antifreeze will prevent the small amount of water mixed in with it from freezing.
If you choose to blow the lines the air will push most of the water out and the little that's left will not be enough to freeze and break anything. The key here is to open and close the faucet a few times to let the air pressure build and force the water out, when done all that should come out of any faucet is air and a fine mist of water.
Doing both is like a guy that wears suspenders and a belt, must suck going through life not trusting one or the other to hold up your pants.

Agree:)

It doesn't matter where you live like some like to believe unless you live where it doesn't freeze. If you live where it freezes either blow the lines and add pink to the traps or pump pink through the lines. There is no reason to blow the lines then pump pink stuff through them or pump pink stuff then blow the lines.
By pumping antifreeze through the lines it pushes most of the water out and any water that might be left will collect in the low spots along with the antifreeze and true to its name the antifreeze will prevent the small amount of water mixed in with it from freezing.
If you choose to blow the lines the air will push most of the water out and the little that's left will not be enough to freeze and break anything. The key here is to open and close the faucet a few times to let the air pressure build and force the water out, when done all that should come out of any faucet is air and a fine mist of water.
Doing both is like a guy that wears suspenders and a belt, must suck going through life not trusting one or the other to hold up your pants.

Been blowing out for years with no issues...also blow out the traps and add pink stuff to them to seal. The pink also lubes the dump valve blades. Do it all with just 1 gallon

Halmfamily wrote:
We blow ours out and add pink stuff to the drains. Of course we don't get the long hard freezes here in Alabama but we do freeze up occasionally. We also camp year round so having to clear pink stuff every month would be a pita. Happy camping

I live in GA, and you're description seems closest to mine, particularly because we plan to camp every month. Quick question: During the winter months, do you clear the lines of water with air and pour antifreeze in drains after each trip? And importantly, I assume this does not require de-winterization after, since you don't have to "clear" the pink stuff. Thanks,

I'd say it depends on how long your camping season is going to last...My 5er is in WVa right now on our property...plan on one last camping outing from Nov. 22 though Nov. thru Nov 30th. So this past weekend before we left, I blew out all the lines, drained low water points, drained and bypassed the hot water heater, emptied all the tanks and poured antifreeze down all the traps....When we get home with 5er end of November, all tanks will have been drained and I will run antifreeze through the lines. I've done it both way's over the years and never had an issue and 5er has been in temps. below zero when "winterized" and I've never had an issue with leaking or busted hoses...If one blows all air out of the lines, I don't think there is an issue...just got to know you've gotten all air out..(I run about 40psi through the lines when blowing water out.

North Carolina - blow out and add pink to the drains.

We blow ours out and add pink stuff to the drains. Of course we don't get the long hard freezes here in Alabama but we do freeze up occasionally. We also camp year round so having to clear pink stuff every month would be a pita. Happy camping

Both as you can never get all the water out with air. Just did mine only takes about 15 minutes total.

lpxguy wrote:
do both, why risk it?

yep, makes sense to me. If it takes more than 1 1/2 to 2 gallons of the pink stuff, you are doing it wrong so that is what $5.98?
bumpy

do both, why risk it?