Newbie: First time de-winterizing

We found that even after 2 months of being winterized that the RV antifreeze left quite a bit of taste in the lines even after running ~50 gallons through them, thanks to this forum I found that running baking soda through the lines was an effective way to clear the taste. After that experience I decided I'd blow my line clear.

I always flush out the water lines before I un-bypass the water heater.Otherwise you will get the pink stuff coming out for a long time...not that is dangerous but I want to shower and wash dishes with clean water.

Thanks All! You're stocking and to-do lists are similar to ours. Looks like we're on the same page. I like the idea of taking the trailer out for a short drive... something we'll definitely do!

We'll be de-winterizing next week -- our first trip will be to the World Beer Festival in Columbia SC (we'll be camping at Sesquicentennial State Park).


-R

Do not turn on the water heater until the bypass valves are taken out of their winter position and the water heater tank is full of water.

jack L

Oh yes, good point jfkmk!

I will hitch up the camper and go for a 10-15 mile drive for this very reason too. This makes sure the brake controller is operating correctly, and all running lights on the camper are working correct too. (including that light bulb for the license plate!)

Maybe this is the most important step of everything.

DutchmenSport has a very comprehensive list, and it is pretty much what I do. In addition, I also check / repack the wheel bearings and check / adjust the brakes.

3. What else to y'all do to get ready for the new camping season?

As stated above, don't think I can add anything else to the batter or antifreeze responses.

But, maybe can for "What else...??"

Before hitting the road after parked for a while (especially coming out of the winter), I check the air pressure in all the tires (including the spare).

I turn all the systems on and check them. Everything electric (microwave, radio, lights and even the plugs in the walls).

I check the propane tanks to make sure they haven't lost any propane over the winter (I use to have a leaky one, but it's gone now). I also turn on the gas and fire up the stove, refrigerator, and furnace to make sure everything is running correctly, and the gas is pressurized and no leaks.

I check the water system (this is usually done when un-winterizing) by filling the fresh water tank, rinsing or sanatizing, and running water from both the fresh tank and the city water hook up.

We re-stock the camper with our "staples". Especially the liquid items we removed over the freezing temperature months.

We re-stock clothing that came out.

We restock essentials, like toilet paper, Kleenex, paper towels, paper plates, disposable paper plates.

I check my garden hoses for leaks.

I check all my electric extension cords (30 amp cords) to make sure they still work by plugging them in and running something from them (very scientific, I know....)

As my hand tools usually come back into the house for the winter, I re-check and re-supply my handy-dandy tool box, which I will keep permanently in the truck all summer (my RV break down tools).

We have 2 televisions. They are brought into the house over the freezing months. They get put back into the camper, plus any other electronics we have designated for the camper.

We restock with fresh batteries every spring, and make sure flashlights still work and replace batteries.

We replace the battery in the smoke detector.

Rewash all the bed linens that didn't get washed or removed. Sometimes we use the camper in the middle of the winter, so we like to rewash the linens and bedding before our first trip of the year, wherever that is.

With weather permitting, will also wash the camper. It gets grungy after sitting a while. And I'll wash the roof (if weather permitting) and treat it, sometime before May. That is always my goal. And of course, inspect the roof for spots that might need re-caulk.

I also check the battery water level, leave the camper plugged in so the battery is charged good. Then run a quick "light test", by unpluging from shore power and turn on lights one at a time and see how dim they get. If they dim way down fast, my battery might be failing. If they hold steady, the battery is still OK. (I know, ... real scientific again, hum?) But it gives me a good feeling how the battery is doing.

I also check under the camper, get under there and crawl around, and make sure no little critters have chewed anything up. Never had that happen, but I still do it every Spring before hitting the road the first time.

Windows get washed, floor gets a good sweep and carpets get a good vacuum to remove any bugs or flies that got caught in the camper and died over the winter.

I know, this is a lot, but it usually happens over a 2 week period, and a lot depends upon the weather too.

Hope this list helps.

That's a reasonable list, but it makes it sound like getting ready for a trek across the Sahara, when in practice it's not that much effort.

If you winterized by blowing out the lines rather than by pumping antifreeze, the steps to rinse out the old antifreeze are obviously unnecessary. I like to check for leaks before filling water by hooking up my air compressor again and shutting all the taps. The check valve on the water inlet on my RV makes squealing noises when air flows through it, so if it's quiet when all the taps are shut I have reasonable confidence that there isn't a significant leak. I don't think this would detect a slight drip.

The extra steps to establish an air pocket in the water heater are quite unnecessary; if it's empty and you fill it normally (by opening a hot water tap until water rather than air comes out), there will be a proper air pocket in the heater tank as the hot water outlet is not quite at the top of the tank. If this eliminated the air pocket, then anytime you drew off hot water it would also eliminate the air pocket.

In general, there's no problem with draining RV antifreeze (or bleached water sanitizing solution) on the ground. Bleach in the concentrations used isn't particularly harmful and it breaks down rather quickly.

If you have an Atwood water heater (with the nylon drain plug), I'd suggest putting some Teflon tape on the drain plug before threading it in. It makes it much easier to get a seal without completely destroying the head of the drain plug with pliers or whatever, and likewise will make removal a little easier later on.

The other thing I need to do to get ready is put all the odds and ends that are removed from the RV for the winter back in--the spices and seasonings, the water-based cleaning products, etc.

1. Local laws vary on this, but yeah, I just hook up to the house water and let everything run.

2. The battery should charge ok on 15 amp. If it's not too big a hassle, pull the battery out over the winter and store inside. Throw a charger on it before putting it back in.

3. Sanitize the water system including the water tank and hot water heater. Fill the water tank with 1/4 cup bleach for every 15 gallons of water and run this mixture through all the water system. Once you start smelling bleach at the faucets, turn off the faucets and let it sit for an hour. Drain the tank and refill with fresh water and flush the system until you no longer smell bleach. Don't forget your washer and outside shower.

Wicked jealous that you're doing this already. We're under a blizzard watch.

Great questions I think sometimes if you go to YouTube and ask things the videos help alot