I'm winterizing my TT for the second time, following the instructions in the TT's owner's manual. The pump is plumbed with a pipe designed to be inserted into a container of antifreeze so you can pump AF throughout the entire plumbing system. This seems to result in all the pipes being full of AF, including the part of the water pump that water (and AF) pass through. This is what I did when I first winterized it three years ago. The RV survived a very cold high-altitude Colorado winter with no problems.This time I read the separate water pump manual. It says to disconnect both inlet and outlet pipes and run the pump until all water is expelled. This would be a PITA, and would probably result in water on the pump compartment floor. The manual doesn't seem to contemplate that I could be pumping AF throughout the system. It just suggests that AF be poured down the drains to protect the P traps.My 1st question is, can I ignore the WP manual since it seems the pump's water-containing parts will be full of antifreeze? 2nd question: The TT manual says to open the low point drains, then close them after all water has drained out of the tank. The drain valves are cheap plastic - if they're closed isn't it possible the valves could have some water in them that would then freeze? I don't remember what I did three years ago.Some of you must be very experienced at winterizing - any suggestions?Thanks.

I do not run antifreeze through the system. I use my air compressor to blow out the lines. Draining the water heater before and after blowing lines. Apply air pressure through the city water connection, then open each valve in the system, outside shower and toilet. I use a small (cup or two) amount of antifreeze in the drains and in the toilet.

Drain the water heater. Then bypass the water heater - open faucets to allow air in. Then open the low point drains and drain whatever water is there out; open a couple faucets furthest away to aid this draining - close the drains. Then pump antifreeze through the whole system, every faucet, both hot and cold. Then open the low point drains again and let whatever antifreeze behind them drain. Close the drains and you should be good to go.

My manual recommends both methods, I chose the AF because my son-in-law helped me and that's how he always did it. Also, he had several gallons of AF available. I do drain the WH and include the drains, outside shower and toilet in the process.

Also...After draining the antifreeze into a container dump it in the drain P traps.

With antifreeze in the pump there is no need to drain that pump.

Winterizing Question | Good Sam Community

enblethen
Nomad
Oct 09, 2022
I do not run antifreeze through the system. I use my air compressor to blow out the lines. Draining the water heater before and after blowing lines. Apply air pressure through the city water connection, then open each valve in the system, outside shower and toilet.
I use a small (cup or two) amount of antifreeze in the drains and in the toilet.
nickthehunter
Nomad II
Oct 09, 2022
Drain the water heater. Then bypass the water heater - open faucets to allow air in. Then open the low point drains and drain whatever water is there out; open a couple faucets furthest away to aid this draining - close the drains. Then pump antifreeze through the whole system, every faucet, both hot and cold. Then open the low point drains again and let whatever antifreeze behind them drain. Close the drains and you should be good to go.
rfloyd99
Explorer
Oct 09, 2022
My manual recommends both methods, I chose the AF because my son-in-law helped me and that's how he always did it. Also, he had several gallons of AF available. I do drain the WH and include the drains, outside shower and toilet in the process.
Fizz
Explorer
Oct 09, 2022
Also...
After draining the antifreeze into a container dump it in the drain P traps.
BB_TX
Nomad
Oct 10, 2022
With antifreeze in the pump there is no need to drain that pump.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Oct 10, 2022
In response to enblethen‘s post, no water…no freezing. Air it out.
mooky_stinks
Explorer
Oct 10, 2022
No need to drain pump and after winterizing you can open low point drains and let any water out and antifreeze will follow. Also don’t forget to take screen off city water connection and push check valve to let water out. Do this last after winterizing. Make sure pressrin system is minimal or you’ll get an antifreeze bath.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Oct 10, 2022
The antifreeze method eliminates the need to unhook pipes and drain the water pump.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Oct 10, 2022
Here is what I do. I've been known to winterize 7 times in a year.

1. drain the water heater
2. blow out the lines with compressed air, one faucet at a time.
3. by pass the water heater
4. install antifreeze
5. blow out the antifreeze catching as much as I can.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Oct 10, 2022
pianotuna wrote:
Here is what I do. I've been known to winterize 7 times in a year.

1. drain the water heater
2. blow out the lines with compressed air, one faucet at a time.
3. by pass the water heater
4. install antifreeze
5. blow out the antifreeze catching as much as I can.

This is known as the belt and suspenders approach. Either 1 through 3, OR, 3 through 5 should be enough. Doing both is unnecessary, but hurts nothing. However, keep in mind that where pianotuna lives, it gets colder than, say, Florida.

Forum Discussion

Winterizing Question

About RV Tips & Tricks

Related Content

Winterizing Question

Winterizing question

Winterizing Question

Quick winter question

Question about winterizing