Forum Discussion

jjrai's avatar
jjrai
Explorer
Mar 01, 2014

Diluting RV Anti-Freeze for Winterization

I have winterized two ways. My first winter in our B, I drained the fresh water tank and pumped RV anti-freeze into the tank. I then ran it through all the lines. This allowed use of the toilet. However, I think the thickness of the RV anti-freeze compared to water ruined my water pump. My second winter, used air to flush the lines. But this meant I could not use the toilet. I am wondering if diluting the anti-freeze by 50% will allow me to use the toilet in winter as the solution would not be as thick as pure anti-freeze. Has anyone had experience with this approach? We use our RV as a base for snow shoeing and winter hiking. Having facilities in such situations is very convenient!
Class B
  • jjrai's avatar
    jjrai
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2014
    Dick_B wrote:
    The consensus is to NEVER put antifreeze into the freshwater tank because it is very difficult to get it all out. Better to use a bypass piping arrangement that puts the antifreeze thru the pump and into the lines. Never had a pump problem with this approach.
    In a pinch we use antifreeze to flush the toilet right from the bottle.


    I did not use diluted anti-freeze. I used pure antifreeze. The pump did not freeze.
  • jjrai's avatar
    jjrai
    Explorer
    Mar 01, 2014
    The winterization kit and a jug of anti-freeze sounds like the best bet! Thanks for all the responses!!! This is an excellent forum.
  • mowog's avatar
    mowog
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2014
    Hi:

    I've added RV antifreeze to my fresh water tank with no problems that I can complain about.

    Each spring I drain, fill, and flush the lines, drain and refill with bleach added to the tank, flush lines and let it sit. I then drain and refill, flush all lines, and I'm set. I generally drain and refill my tank before each trip (just a long weekender now with a few longer trips per year).

    The flush kit at the pump sound OK, but it's just something else to leak or cause trouble.

    I like to keep things as simple as possible.

    Bob Skillman
    Ellicott City, MD
    2011 Roadtrek RS (sprinter)
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2014
    mowog wrote:


    The flush kit at the pump sound OK, but it's just something else to leak or cause trouble.

    I like to keep things as simple as possible.

    Bob Skillman
    Ellicott City, MD
    2011 Roadtrek RS (sprinter)


    you realize that all it is is a 2 way valve which is about as simple as possible.
    bumpy
  • jjrai's avatar
    jjrai
    Explorer
    Mar 02, 2014
    I appreciate all of the great advice that you have provided. Our next winter is going to be more fun because of it! A Class B is an amazing thing. We go to remote parking lots and fit right in. We turn on the heat and go snow shoeing or winter hiking, and come back to a warm Unit. When we do summer runs, we turn on the air and cool off. We are constantly amazed at how this van has improved our lives.

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