I have a friend that is leaving his TT setting at his seasonal site all this winter. We are in MN where the temps will get to -20 F in the winter. Last year was his first year of owning a TT and he took it to the dealer to be winterized. They charged him 80 bucks and for these reasons he was hoping to do it himself this year. Because he is at a full hook up site he has never used his fresh water tank. (It's a older TT and we do not even know if the pump works) When the dealer winterized it last year he says they "blowed antifreeze through the lines". I have a way to blow air through his lines but, I don't know of a way to blow antifreeze through the lines. I helped him get it ready for use this spring and there was antifreeze in his lines but, he says they did not use his fresh water tank and pump to get it in them. I wonder if any of you might be able to tell me what he is talking about? Is there a way I can hook up a liquid tank between my air tank and my blow out valve to compress the antifreeze and blow it through his lines??? Thank you if you can understand me and to help me to understand what he may be talking about. (Do you suppose that they blew his lines with air first and then had a tank and a pump to pump antifreeze through the fresh water port and into his lines?? If they did, why couldn't I rig up something like this using some sort of hand pump ?)

Probably miscommunication or semantics or just the wrong word.Instead of,"blowing anti-freeze," he meant to say, "pumped anti-freeze through the lines."

CavemanCharlie wrote:Do you suppose that they blew his lines with air first... Naw.. they blowed 'em. :)Yes, they blew the lines then pumped AF.

That low, probably use the water pump to fill all the lines with AF, then I would blow them out with air, and leave them dry for the winter. open all low point drains also. RV AF is supposed to go down to -35 OK, bet if there are no plans to use it during the winter, better safe.

Check the lines between the water tank and the water pump. There may be a T and fitting for winterizing. Mine has a valve in the line before the pump, and a fitting to attach a hose to the AF bottle. Just attach the bottle, rotate the valve, then pump AF through the entire system with the water pump.

I hate to correct anyone on this forum BUT leaving the water lines dry after you blow them with an air compressor is not a very good practice. I am telling you from experience. I did that one winter and had to repair a lot of water lines because for one thing it doesn't get all the water out of the lines. on the other hand filling the lines with RV anti freeze, not to be confused with automobile anti freeze which is poisonous, will displace any water still in the lines and protect you down to -50 degrees. they make a valve and hose combo that goes on the intake of the water pump that allows you to fill the water lines with anti freeze. another thing that is well worth the expense is a by pass set up behind the water heater tank. this bypasses the tank so you don't have to use six gallons of anti freeze in the hot side of the lines.

Blowing the lines with antifreeze. | Good Sam Community

downtheroad
Explorer
Sep 04, 2013
Probably miscommunication or semantics or just the wrong word.

Instead of,"blowing anti-freeze," he meant to say, "pumped anti-freeze through the lines."
2oldman
Explorer II
Sep 04, 2013
CavemanCharlie wrote:
Do you suppose that they blew his lines with air first...
Naw.. they blowed 'em. :)

Yes, they blew the lines then pumped AF.
Johno02
Explorer
Sep 04, 2013
That low, probably use the water pump to fill all the lines with AF, then I would blow them out with air, and leave them dry for the winter. open all low point drains also. RV AF is supposed to go down to -35 OK, bet if there are no plans to use it during the winter, better safe.
Johno02
Explorer
Sep 04, 2013
Check the lines between the water tank and the water pump. There may be a T and fitting for winterizing. Mine has a valve in the line before the pump, and a fitting to attach a hose to the AF bottle. Just attach the bottle, rotate the valve, then pump AF through the entire system with the water pump.
old_guy
Explorer
Sep 04, 2013
I hate to correct anyone on this forum BUT leaving the water lines dry after you blow them with an air compressor is not a very good practice. I am telling you from experience. I did that one winter and had to repair a lot of water lines because for one thing it doesn't get all the water out of the lines. on the other hand filling the lines with RV anti freeze, not to be confused with automobile anti freeze which is poisonous, will displace any water still in the lines and protect you down to -50 degrees. they make a valve and hose combo that goes on the intake of the water pump that allows you to fill the water lines with anti freeze. another thing that is well worth the expense is a by pass set up behind the water heater tank. this bypasses the tank so you don't have to use six gallons of anti freeze in the hot side of the lines.
pianotuna
Nomad III
Sep 04, 2013
Hi,

I blow, then install anti freeze, then blow again and save as much of the antifreeze as I can. Sometimes I've winterized seven times in the season.
rockhillmanor
Explorer
Sep 04, 2013
There are low points that just blowing air thru will not reach. AND you can't see it. This practice might work in states that don't get below zero but it's an accident waiting to happen in the colder states.

Pour several gallons of anti freeze in fresh water tank. Turn on pump. Open each faucet until solid pink comes out and shut off. Repeat for all faucets including shower and toilet. Done, all lines 100% filled with anti freeze and guaranteed that your water pump is protected also.

12 years and counting living in Northern Wisconsin never had one single water line break which includes way below zero temps MH sitting out in the wide open elements of winter.
path1
Explorer
Sep 04, 2013
I only use anti freeze because my toilet valve is a bear to blow out for some reason. I get anti freeze in by poring anti freeze in the end of a long hose with a funnel, then on screw blow out plug and turn on cheap air compressor. As far as rest of winterization process goes, lots on web or right here.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Sep 04, 2013
I'm in far north MN and using RV anti freeze I have had no problems at -40. I use 2 gallons with a hose from the suction of the pump. Turn the pump on and run EVERY water outlet until you get pink and don't forget both p-traps in the sinks. I never pour antifreeze in the water tank, (takes to long to get the taste out).
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Sep 04, 2013
Johno02 wrote:
Check the lines between the water tank and the water pump. There may be a T and fitting for winterizing. Mine has a valve in the line before the pump, and a fitting to attach a hose to the AF bottle. Just attach the bottle, rotate the valve, then pump AF through the entire system with the water pump.

That's a good idea, thanks I'll check for that. If not I suppose I could see if his pump works, and if it does we could disconnect the suction line from the pump and add a longer line and valve to it. Then he would have a permanent place to winterize every year.