We just bought a Hybrid trailer a few weeks ago, finally had some time today to look over the pump system and learn how it works. There are 2 valves that I'm not sure what exactly they are for. One valve has a clear hose that connects to nothing, it was open and as I started filling the tank with water, water started coming out of it so I closed it. I assume this is some kind of vent? When should this be open and closed?The other is in line with the hose that connects to the bottom outlet on the tank, I assume you close this valve so the tank doesn't fill with water when you are connected to city water? And of course open it when you are using tank water? Thanks!

JoshuaH wrote:There are 2 valves that I'm not sure what exactly they are for. One valve has a clear hose that connects to nothing, it was open and as I started filling the tank with water, water started coming out of it so I closed it. I assume this is some kind of vent? When should this be open and closed?It's for winterizing - just turn the valve so it's open, stick the hose in a jug of antifreeze, turn on the pump, and it will run antifreeze through the water system.JoshuaH wrote:The other is in line with the hose that connects to the bottom outlet on the tank, I assume you close this valve so the tank doesn't fill with water when you are connected to city water? And of course open it when you are using tank water? In most cases when the winterizing valve is open it also closes the draw tube from your fresh water tank - without pics (can't see yours) it's hard to tell but I'd suspect this second valve does just that - close it for winterizing but open it for the rest of the season. The pump itself has a check valve to prevent city water from entering the tank so another shouldn't be necessary.

Water heater bypass for winterizing. Makes it possible to fill all the pipes with antifreeze (takes a gallon or so) without having to fill the water heater (which would add 6 more gallons to the antifreeze needed).

It Is Not the water heater bypass!!!!!!!!!It's for pumping antifreeze into the lines for winterizing. You close the tank valve and open the clear line valve and stick the clear tube into a jug of antifreeze. It will suck the antifreeze out of the jug and into the pump and out into the lines of the RV.

naturist wrote:Water heater bypass for winterizing.Water heater bypass valves are located on the back side of the water heater itself, the OP is talking about valves at the pump. This has nothing to do with the water heater.

OK that makes sense, thanks. So I would assume when pumping the antifreeze through the pipes I would close the valve to the tank so no antifreeze gets to the tank? I would assume if there was a little bit of water in the tank that froze that won't hurt anything?Any particular type of antifreeze that I should use?

What do these valves do on my pump? | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

JoshuaH
Explorer
Jul 12, 2018
Sorry I didn't realize the large pictures would be a problem, I edited my first post with smaller images.

Thanks everyone for explaining this, it makes sense now.
NRALIFR
Explorer
Jul 11, 2018
640x480 isn’t “required”, it’s recommended.

Pictures can be a maximum of 800x600.

:):)
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jul 11, 2018
ScottG wrote:
Need to resize image to forum required 640X480.

Who does? The ones I posted are screen shots sourced from the OP's links and are tiny, each about 33K total.
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 11, 2018
Need to resize image to forum required 640X480.
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jul 11, 2018
For those who are curious but can't see the OP's pics ...
Dennis12
Explorer
Jul 11, 2018
Find a dealer or someone that knows and ask them, If not you will be replacing shet in the spring.
NRALIFR
Explorer
Jul 11, 2018
Correct. You should close the valve closest to the water tank, and open the valve with the clear tube on one side, put the clear tube in the jug of anti freeze and turn on the pump.

You should also look for some bypass valves on the rear of your water heater. It’s not necessary to pump antifreeze into the water heater or the fresh water tank. They should both be drained completely though. After that, the little bit of water remaining will not matter if it freezes because there will be plenty of room for expansion.

Pink RV antifreeze is the stuff to use. It nontoxic, and available at RV dealers, Walmart, and auto parts stores.

:):)
JoshuaH
Explorer
Jul 11, 2018
OK that makes sense, thanks. So I would assume when pumping the antifreeze through the pipes I would close the valve to the tank so no antifreeze gets to the tank?

I would assume if there was a little bit of water in the tank that froze that won't hurt anything?

Any particular type of antifreeze that I should use?
SoundGuy
Explorer
Jul 11, 2018
naturist wrote:
Water heater bypass for winterizing.

Water heater bypass valves are located on the back side of the water heater itself, the OP is talking about valves at the pump. This has nothing to do with the water heater.
troubledwaters
Nomad
Jul 11, 2018
It Is Not the water heater bypass!!!!!!!!!
It's for pumping antifreeze into the lines for winterizing. You close the tank valve and open the clear line valve and stick the clear tube into a jug of antifreeze. It will suck the antifreeze out of the jug and into the pump and out into the lines of the RV.