First time de-winterizing

[cbart72]

We bought our first motorhome this winter. It was already winterized when we bought it. It is now spring and time to de-winterize. I have watched videos on Youtube on how to de-winterize but realized all of the RVs being de-winterized were new models. Our motorhome is a 1983 Fleetwood Tioga. Is there any steps I should take in de-winterizing an older (vintage) RV that would not be necessary with a newer one that would not have been shown on the videos?

[Hawk7]

cbart72 wrote:
I'm in the Eastern Panhandle of WV. We wanted to use the RV for Spring Break coming up in April.

Small world! 🙂

[FC]

Remember that anti freeze reduces in volume when it freezes. From my.old physics classes water is the only liquid that increases in volume when it freezes.
Hard to think of this.

[Tom_Barb]

cbart72 wrote:
Do I need to dump the grey and black water tanks before flushing the lines? Do you guys think it is ok to let the grey water tank dump onto the ground?

You'll go some place to dump the black water tank, simply wait to dump the grey water there too.

Dump what fresh water you have and rinse the tank, fill with fresh water, then go dump your tanks and flush with the fresh water aboard.

[jamesbeam4ever]

pink anti freeze can build up enough pressusre to rupture a hot water tank if the tank is completley full.u can pressure test your system useing your water pump. it should pump up in a couple minutes and shut off and stay off if it doesnt shut off or randomly kicks in youve got a substantial water leak and its critical that u get it fixed right away i had that experience and it wasnt pretty

[cbart72]

I appreciate all responses. The information is very helpful. Over the winter I noticed there was pink slush coming from the water heater (outside). Worried that this might be the result of a cracked water heater I went inside the RV, removed the access panel to see if there was any water/antifreeze inside, there was none. The water heater has the drain plug in it still. Do you think it built up pressure in the tank and released through the pressure relief valve? Since the RV is older, I may take it to a RV service center to have it de-winterized, and have the LP gas lines checked out as well as all of the appliances.

[DutchmenSport]

cbart72 wrote:
Do I need to dump the grey and black water tanks before flushing the lines? Do you guys think it is ok to let the grey water tank dump onto the ground?

Depends upon where you intend to dump on the ground. If you are in town or a home owners association community or a State Park, it might NOT be advisable a all.

However, if you live in the country (like I do), have nothing but farm land all around you, and cows and horses in the field next to your house, there probably is no harm in dumping on the ground.

[enblethen]

I would not dump any grey or black water on to the ground.
I would suggest once you get water flowing through pipes, is to sanitize the system using 1/4 cup of household bleach for every ten gallons of water in fresh water tank. Put bleach in fresh tank and use water pump to circulate through both hot and cold pipes until you smell or feel the bleach at each faucet. Let set for at least two hours, drain system and flush with fresh water.

[cbart72]

Do I need to dump the grey and black water tanks before flushing the lines? Do you guys think it is ok to let the grey water tank dump onto the ground?

[bsinmich]

It all depends on how it was winterized. I had an '89 Jamboree and you could blow it out with an air compressor and just put some pink stuff in the traps. Pink stuff is the RV antifreeze for winterizing water systems in RVs. The other option is to use a lot of pink stuff and almost fill the water system with it. My '76 Fireball had this done when I bought it. You will probably have to put the plug back in the water heater. There should be a valve to drain the fresh water tank that may need closing. After that add water and start running water through the system. It may take a few minutes to get water to all the faucets and the air out. After a good flushing you are ready to use it. Since this is your first time with it I would recommend flushing the whole water system. Use some bleach in the water to sanitize it. Personally I carry bottled water for drinking and use the MH water for showers cooking, etc.

[cbart72]

I'm in the Eastern Panhandle of WV. We wanted to use the RV for Spring Break coming up in April.

[DutchmenSport]

No different. To dewinterize your water lines, all you do is run fresh water through each line until all the "pink" is removed. Traces of "pink" will cause the water to be foamy for a while. But keep flushing the line and it will all come out. If your water heater is in by-pass position, do not undo it until you've flushed the lines first. Flush, then turn the water heater by-pass back to normal position, then fill the water heater.

If your water heater is not bypassed, the procedure is the same, it just takes longer, flush the tank until no more pink and foamy water occurs. That's all you need to do.

Some folks will sanatize their lines next. That's another topic.

[midnightsadie]

just flush everything real good, and I,m in ohio its still to cold to flush.