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gsutton's avatar
gsutton
Explorer
Nov 21, 2015

winterizing laredo

longtime lurker first time poster.
we just bought a new 2014 leftover laredo 270 RSL fifth wheel with the "freeze guard" system.keystone advertises this as a "no fuss " winterizing system.i have tried today to winterize this system and nothing works.i have found the water heater bypass and turned it on (or off) and when i turn on the pump nothing happens other than the pump running.i have checked all the valves to make sure the pump isn't sucking air.
this unit has a winterizing valve in the water compartment with an on/off position and either way it is turned it will not suck the antifreeze in.
dealer was no help on the phone although he is 150 miles away.
i have a lance camper sitting next to it and the winterizing was a snap so i am not unfamiliar with how these things are supposed to work.
also does anybody know where the water pump is on these models and how to get to it.
any help is appreciated

7 Replies

  • grampscamper's avatar
    grampscamper
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2015
    gsutton wrote:
    not pumping antifreeze or anything else anywhere. have turned the bypass both ways and still nothing.i have gathered by having this "freeze guard" all that is necessary is to turn the one valve to winterize. obviously that is not the case. no luck at all on finding info on this "freeze guard".
    keystone advertises this as "no fuss" but no info that i can find.will call keystone tomorrow and see what they can tell me.
    thanks for the replies

    There should be a hot water bypass at the tank. If your winterize valve is like mine it was likely installed wrong or faulty. I think my dealer had a few 2014's with this problem. If you can get to the pump it's very easy to install your own winterize bypass kit. Then you can at least see if your pump is working ok.
    Does it draw water from the fresh water tank? You may have to fill it at least a 1/3 full to get it to draw.
  • gsutton's avatar
    gsutton
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2015
    not pumping antifreeze or anything else anywhere. have turned the bypass both ways and still nothing.i have gathered by having this "freeze guard" all that is necessary is to turn the one valve to winterize. obviously that is not the case. no luck at all on finding info on this "freeze guard".
    keystone advertises this as "no fuss" but no info that i can find.will call keystone tomorrow and see what they can tell me.
    thanks for the replies
  • Dave_H_M's avatar
    Dave_H_M
    Explorer II
    Nov 22, 2015
    You may be pumping the pink stuff into the water heater if the bypass valve is not right there. Have you pulled the plug to check?

    The water pump on my Laredo is just behind the vertical trim board in the rear of the basement.

    I cut two circular holes in it to access my water heater bypass and the fresh bypass. have the access holes covered with a drop down piece of Plexiglas.
  • grampscamper's avatar
    grampscamper
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2015
    gsutton wrote:
    thanks for the info kinda what i expected or maybe a faulty pump.where is the pump located and how did you get to it?

    Mine is in the basement area just behind the hot water tank. You will likely have to remove a panel to get access to it. I removed part of the wall in my basement then cut it so I don't have to remove the whole section each time. I cut it where there was an upright support. Now I can remove a small section to get to my pump.
    My model is different than yours so it won't likely be the same. You could turn the pump on and listen for it. It may help you locate it.
    Good luck.
  • gsutton's avatar
    gsutton
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2015
    thanks for the info kinda what i expected or maybe a faulty pump.where is the pump located and how did you get to it?
  • grampscamper's avatar
    grampscamper
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2015
    I have a 2014 Laredo. Mine has never worked. Took it back to the dealer and they replaced the valve because it was faulty. When I tried it at home I couldn't get it to work. My dealer is 2 hours away. I installed my own bypass valve and siphon hose at the pump. It's a very easy installation.
    You can order the kit at an RV dealer, Camping World or Amazon.
  • brirene's avatar
    brirene
    Explorer
    Nov 21, 2015
    Make sure the winterizing valve is open, turn on the pump and open a nearby faucet. Mine does the same thing occasionally.

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