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Homey_B's avatar
Homey_B
Explorer
Jun 17, 2013

Winterization: wet or dry?

It is way early in the season (even up here in the NorthEast), but I'm trying to head off a disaster later on...

We (DW and myself) are planning on taking a late November trip down south (Florida? Georgia?). It'll be after the seasonal campground we're staying at completed their "winterization services" for those who choose to participate. Which means that when we come home, I'm going to have to get ready for The Big Freeze which comes later in the season.

I've read that there are two ways to prep for winter. First is to replace water with anti-freeze. Call this the "wet" method. You get a gizmo to allow the water pump to suck anti-freeze from the jugs, etc etc etc... There's also a gizmo out there to connect "city water" to an air compressor. So basically, one by one, you open each water faucet and blow the water out under air pressure. And no need to dump in anti-freeze with this method (from what I have read).

So, what's the collective wisdom? Get the gizmo for wet prep, or get the gizmo for the dry prep?

Thanks in advance for the guidance!

j
  • I do both. Drain water heater, holding tanks, and open low point drains. Then cap the low point drains fire up the compressor and blow out the lines and then pump the pink stuff through the lines and add some to the drains. Don't forget to flush the toilet until it runs bright pink. Two gallons of the pink stuff is all that is needed.
  • J,

    No "wisdom", just what I do.
    As I frequently camp (and then return home) in sub-freezing temps though out the winter, I use the "dry method".
    Drain everything, blow air through the lines, and dump a little anti-freeze in the sink and tub traps.
    No "fancy" fitting, just a device that allows my air hose to connect to the pressurized water inlet which I suspect you can get it at RV stores.
    Takes about a hour which includes dumping the tanks (as long as the dump valves aren't frozen....)

    I suspect you will find many others who prefer the "wet method".

    Safe travels,
    Steve