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JL81's avatar
JL81
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014

HELP! FIRST TIME WINTERIZING! ALSO NEED OTHER ADVICE!

Hi! We bought a 2002 Salem by Forest River 27' bunkhouse camper last fall from my childhood neighbors. They had it winterized (antifreeze done) before we bought it. We did not use the water AT ALL this past summer, but we would like to redo/add antifreeze if we need to! But what do we do since there is already old antifreeze in it? The camper idea was mine (I'm the wife...happy wife/happy life, right?!) & my husband is not camper-inclined at all. All he knows how to do it hook it up & park it. So I've been trying to you-tube videos, but I just don't understand what my steps should be. I've seen "blowing the pipes out", but I don't have a compressor. Is there an easy way for me to just ADD antifreeze to what may already be there (if it hasn't evaporated)? Do I go through the entire pump/turning on all faucets/etc steps? Do I just pour some down the drains? I have no clue!

ALSO - WE BOUGHT A DUD! It was gorgeous when we bought it (& everything outside/inside still is & we did use it this past summer), but over the past winter the inside ceiling panels started to warp down the whole length of the camper. The rippling starts at outside walls & reaches in up to 1 foot on both sides. We know there is obviously water damage. Our insurance will not cover anything & the cheapest quote I got was $4800 to replace ceiling/rubber roof. We cannot afford this. We are going to just baby it along & drive it into the ground. Is there any advice anyone could give us on "babying" this. We cannot afford inside storage, so we may tarp the roof (not wrap the entire camper) & just make sure it is shoveled off so the snow doesn't weigh it down?

We upgraded from a pop-up to this - but I guess I jumped in way too fast - I didn't realize all these things we would need to know/do. Please do not be rude/judgemental (I bought this at a good deal hoping to make fun family memories) & please use laymen's terms - I don't know too much about these bigger campers, either! Thank you!

9 Replies

  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Nov 06, 2014
    You don't need antifreeze in the lines, all you need is to get rid of the water. Since you did not ever use the water system there is no water in there to displace with antifreeze so even if the antifreeze evaporated, there is no water to freeze in the pipes. Assuming that no one put any water in the drains, you don't have to do anything.
  • qchunter's avatar
    qchunter
    Explorer
    Nov 06, 2014
    Is winterizing only required in areas that get well before freezing? This is my first trailer and first winter. I'm in Arizona so it will barely get to freezing.

    Thanks
  • Caveman_Charlie's avatar
    Caveman_Charlie
    Explorer II
    Nov 06, 2014
    MitchF150 wrote:
    You need to take it to someone who has some knowledge of these things to show you... You'll never be able to learn this over the interweb... Well, U tube is better than just typing words, but you are still going to be limited by how YOUR rig is setup and how it works...

    I know I'm not any help for you on this, but I can write pages of info for MY rig.. But how that relates to YOUR rig??? Doubt it would be the same thing at all..

    As far as the ceiling coming down on you.. Yes, you have some water problems for sure and the only thing you can do is pull those panels down and see what's going on up there..

    I'm sorry for your issues here, as RVing is supposed to be FUN!! Not dealing with a money pit with problems...

    If you were close to me, I'd come over and help you out for a beer or two! :)

    Good luck!

    Mitch


    X2
  • JL81's avatar
    JL81
    Explorer
    Nov 06, 2014
    Thanks for all your replies! We haven't used any water lines at all (no sinks/bathroom facilities). We were so excited about having more room than the pop-up that we just camped by bathrooms & used bottled water or water from the campgrounds. I called a local retailer & the service dept told me I shouldn't have to add any antifreeze if I didn't use the water lines at all, but I thought it could evaporate a bit?

    Yes - the water damage stinks! We'll just see what it looks like next spring & take it from there! We have recently had some resealing/recaulking done on it, so all we can do is wait & see what happens I guess!
  • Rumtan's avatar
    Rumtan
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2014
    Youtube has lots of clips on winterizing, hope they have one with your trailer in it.
  • NanciL's avatar
    NanciL
    Explorer II
    Oct 31, 2014
    I feel for you!
    And can only add to what the others have said:
    If you can find a friend or relative that might know a seasoned camper that could come and lead you through all there is to know that would be your best bet.

    Jack L
  • MitchF150's avatar
    MitchF150
    Explorer III
    Oct 31, 2014
    You need to take it to someone who has some knowledge of these things to show you... You'll never be able to learn this over the interweb... Well, U tube is better than just typing words, but you are still going to be limited by how YOUR rig is setup and how it works...

    I know I'm not any help for you on this, but I can write pages of info for MY rig.. But how that relates to YOUR rig??? Doubt it would be the same thing at all..

    As far as the ceiling coming down on you.. Yes, you have some water problems for sure and the only thing you can do is pull those panels down and see what's going on up there..

    I'm sorry for your issues here, as RVing is supposed to be FUN!! Not dealing with a money pit with problems...

    If you were close to me, I'd come over and help you out for a beer or two! :)

    Good luck!

    Mitch
  • krobbe's avatar
    krobbe
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2014
    If your TT doesn't already have a bypass valve installed on the intake side of the water pump, get one of these and install. This will allow you to bypass the water tank and suck from the RV Antifreeze jugs to push antifreeze into all of the lines. With the siphon hose in a jug, just open a faucet until pink stuff comes out and close it. Do each one (hot and cold) including the toilet, shower(inside and outside), all sinks.

    As far as the leaking roof, a yearly inspection should be done on the roof and any place else(Awning brackets, lights, windows) where water can get in and sealed up using Dicor(not any other caulk especially not silicone based). Especially if it sits outside year round. My guess is that maybe the previous owner stored it under cover and it needed sealing before being exposed to rain/snow.

    Sorry to hear about the water damage. I've had to replace a roof on a motorhome and it was quite a project. Wouldn't do it again. Good luck with this.
  • dadmomh's avatar
    dadmomh
    Explorer
    Oct 31, 2014
    Did you use the bathroom facilities at all? And you said not the water system at all, right. I'm no expert at all, but I would think that adding fresh antifreeze into the P-traps and commode should suffice. I know others will have better info for you, but if it wasn't used at all, I don't think it would be a problem.

    Sorry about the water situation. Many have been in the same situation. Ideally, a tarp is not the best, but it seems like a waste of money to invest in an RV cover for a trailer you may not have for long. Suggest you raise one end slightly high than the other to allow for water run off. Yes, keep the snow cleaned off as best you can....safely. I can't recall what the weight of snow is per 1", but it's considerable. You don't need to make matters worse than they are. When spring comes around and you open up the trailer, be sure to smell for any signs of mold/mildew/mustiness....not healthy and you should probably give some thought to what you want to do at that time. Good luck.

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