Forum Discussion

JimNH's avatar
JimNH
Explorer
Oct 02, 2015

Winterizing a KZ 16RBT

we are taking our trailer up to it's winter home at our new seasonal site this weekend on Loon Lake in the Sunapee NH area - hooray! It's the last weekend for camping there, and the person who previously had our site has now vacated it so we can move in. We'll go up Saturday, camp overnight, then winterize on Sunday before leaving.

I plant to drain all the lines and pull the plug on the water heater. do I need to go to the extent of blowing out the lines with an air compressor? I can pick up a small one to do that if so. Probably a good thing to have onboard anyway.

I'll pull the battery and bring it home as well. Also the propane tank I guess...though no harm in leaving it there.

Anything else?

Was wondering if I should cover the roof with a tarp and tie it off to prevent possible leaks from snow pack if that becomes an issue this winter.

Any advice greatly appreciated!
  • JimNH's avatar
    JimNH
    Explorer
    Oct 04, 2015
    On my way up to the lake to put the RV to bed. Yesterday I covered the vents with screening, leveled the unit, put on tire covers, and started installing Camco vent covers on top. I also drained the water system from the low point drains, and pulled the water heater plug. Today I have to install the water heater bypass kit and fill with antifreeze. no cover for now. I also got two pails of dessicant to leave out over the winter.
  • JimNH's avatar
    JimNH
    Explorer
    Oct 03, 2015
    OK - going to the dealer in the morning to check.

    Now - the cover question. Do you guys use them? it is going to be living outside in the winter this year.
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2015
    `My KZ Escape 14RB didn't come with a bypass, so I doubt yours did either. But I had the dealer put one on, and it didn't cost much. Well worth it. 1 gallon of the pink stuff was enough for me, but you being up north should probably use 2 gallons any time there has been water in the fresh tank. The reason I say that is, the fresh tank never emptied completely on mine (probably same on yours) and the remaining water (a half gallon or maybe more) will dilute your antifreeze. So, pour in a half gallon, empty as much as possible, then pour in the rest and run it through your lines (minus the bypassed water heater, which you empty by taking out the anode rod).
  • JimNH's avatar
    JimNH
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2015
    OK - I don't know if there is a bypass for the water heater installed. If I can get a kit to do that I will try to go that route. I pick up the trailer from storage later today and will check.
  • poppin_fresh's avatar
    poppin_fresh
    Explorer
    Oct 02, 2015
    I am not a fan of just blowing out the lines as I'm not convinced you can get all the water out, plus it misses the drain traps which also contain water.

    You (like me)have a small trailer which will probably take all of 1 gallon or so to winterize. For the $5 or so, filling the lines, pump and traps knowing I dont have to worry about it all getting cleared is worth it.

    I agree that you should empty and bypass, but not worry too much about the HW and fresh water tanks. If a little water gets left behind it wont cause any damage, but flushing out antifreeze in the spring is a huge PITA.
  • darsben's avatar
    darsben
    Explorer II
    Oct 02, 2015
    Either blow out or put RV antifreeze in the lines.
    IF ANTIFREEZE bypass water heater.

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