Last week I winterized my TC and trailer, ie emptied all the tanks (black, grey fresh, hot water), opened the low-drain valves, blew everything out, (with the taps open), with the air compressor, set at 25 psi. Then I poured some RV antifreeze, that's supposed to be good to -50C, down all the drains and the toilet as well.Today, mid afternoon, I went to the trailer and noticed that the antifreeze in the toilet was frozen! It was below freezing over night, maybe -9C (15F) Daytime temp was around +4C or 39F. That antifreeze should not have frozen. What did I do wrong? I haven't figured out how the bypass stuff works yet

I think that the pink stuff can freeze, but does not expand.It doesn't exactly instill confidence does it?

You might of gotten a bad batch of antifreeze, either that or it got diluted, It should of never been frozen under those temps.

It is good to -50 before it expands BUT it will freeze before that. Yes, I know that's strange but it's true.

Was it frozen solid, or just slush? There is a difference.If you got all the water out, and had pure "pink stuff", you should have been fine....it will turn to slush, but not freeze to the point of damage. After all, slush can still move in the lines, so it won't expand out-ward, busting tubing.The one think you didn't mention, or you didn't do, was to pump antifreeze into the water pipes after you blew them out. The reason I recommend this, is because you may still have water in those lines, where the air has blown past it (say in a dip in the hose)....if you pump the pink stuff through the lines, you know that there won't be any water to freeze. Well worth the extra $$ for another gallon or two.

Look at the MSDS on RV anti freeze. It gels at 9 degrees. I have posted several times that the RV anti freeze does freeze just not hard. One of the main reasons I don't use it is I winterize and de-winterize several times in the winter. Once it has gelled you may have to wait until spring to get it all out of the lines. YUK!!!!!! I just blow out my lines with air and only put RV anti freeze in the traps, toilet and a little down in the grey and black tank to protect the dump valves. I have a W/D so I put some in my washer and spin it out through the drain to fill that p trap.

Frozen antifreeze? | Good Sam Community

bobndot
Explorer II
Nov 06, 2013
Test the brand you use before you actually use it.
Mfg.'s have tendency to make false claims about things.

Place a cup in your home freezer. If you see a sad face , don't use it. If you see a smiley face, you're good to go.
Majku
Explorer
Nov 06, 2013
The antifreeze was more like a frozen slush, not hard solid ice. I guess I shouldn't worry about it then. Thanks all.
stevekk
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
I have had the same problem with Walmart Pink.
I left a gallon outside last winter when temps were near zero.
Jug froze. Not slush. Just plan froze.
But everything was OK with my MH in the spring. No leaks.

The Walmart Pink did expand.
The bottom of the gallon jug was ROUNDED and NOT FLAT.

Maybe moral to the story is to buy a better brand, and not from Walmart?
PapPappy
Explorer
Nov 05, 2013
sleepy wrote:
From my long ago memories....

I remember automobile antifreeze used to state that for maximum protection the ethelene glycol was to be mixed 50/50 withwater.

Just curious... Did you read the instructions... I usually do later ;>)

Well, you probably didn't read the instruction on the pink stuff then either:), because that is not be mixed with water.....use it straight out of the bottle. It's not the same as the green stuff that is used in engines.
FreeLanceing
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2013
I too just blow the lines and dump the pick stuff in the traps. Even if you have a few low spots that poly pipe can take a lot of abuse. Now if you have copper... Sleepy I think most anti freeze for autos is now sold premixed, it seems modern man does not know what 50/50 means anymore. Its like to much work to figure all that out and actually have to do it.
abslayer
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
It will turn to slush if cold enough but would not affect performance
In other words don't worry about it that is what it does it does not get solid and is what water does and would break things
sleepy
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
From my long ago memories....

I remember automobile antifreeze used to state that for maximum protection the ethelene glycol was to be mixed 50/50 withwater.

Just curious... Did you read the instructions... I usually do later ;>)
riven1950
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
No expert, but the container I used said the antifreeze would turn to slush if cold enough but would not affect performance.
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Nov 04, 2013
20 to 30 below?? please keep that weather up north ,here in ohio it would shut things down.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Nov 04, 2013
PapPappy wrote:
Was it frozen solid, or just slush? There is a difference.
If you got all the water out, and had pure "pink stuff", you should have been fine....it will turn to slush, but not freeze to the point of damage. After all, slush can still move in the lines, so it won't expand out-ward, busting tubing.

The one think you didn't mention, or you didn't do, was to pump antifreeze into the water pipes after you blew them out. The reason I recommend this, is because you may still have water in those lines, where the air has blown past it (say in a dip in the hose)....if you pump the pink stuff through the lines, you know that there won't be any water to freeze. Well worth the extra $$ for another gallon or two.

Blowing out lines with air only works if done properly. Air doesn't freeze except for a little moisture that falls out of it. We only get to 20 to 30 below zero here in Wyoming. Maybe if I lived where it was cold it would be a problem but I doubt it.

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