? Winterizing Question

dcmac214 wrote:
How easy/hard is it for a 12-thumbed DIYer to do?

RV mechanic recommends putting in a valve kit at the water pump to bypass the freshwater tanks and pick up antifreeze direct out of the jug. Mech says with the two big fresh tanks we have we'll be putting 20-25 gallons antifreeze in there in order to get enough into the trailer pipes to do the job.

Underside of entire trailer covered with those "insulation" panels so related question is is it better to take the whole (about 8x12 foot) insulation panel off every year or jinn up some kind of smaller removable panel under the water pump?

I think that the mechanic did not explain everything clearly.

If you drained your fresh water tank, and then add anti-freeze, sure it might take 10 gallons to winterize that way, but that is not how it's done, and they probably explained that installing a valve allows you to only winterize with 2 gallons of antifreeze!

If you can see the pump, then you can put in the fittings without removing any covers. You would buy the valve kit, and remove the inlet water line. Then the valve kit is installed on the pump inlet. In the "normal" position, then water comes in from the tank. In the "winterize" position, then water goes in the flexible line from the portable tank.

To winterize, first empty the fresh water tank, and remove the plug from the water heater. Run some anti-freeze into the fresh water lines until a few drops come out of the water heater (to fill the line from pump to water heater.) Then using a water heater by-pass kit, switch that to bypass, and fill the rest of the water lines with the fresh water tank on, and drawing anti-freeze from the flex hose. Let some water out of each faucet, until a little antifreeze comes out. Be sure to also winterize the outside shower and never forget the toilet.

Another alternative way that I use, because I live in a are that only gets 'cold' and not really freezing, is that I fill all the water lines with air. I have a air fitting next to the pump output, and presurize that with 40 PSI air. Then open each valve to let out all the water and some air. I also drain the water heater before starting, so that it will be empty. I get out a little more water from the WH each time, because of water between the pump and WH in the cold line. I don't need a water heater bypass kit, or antifreeze fill valve in this case.

Fred.