Why can't I just add anti-freeze?

[KenMast]

Hi everyone,

This is my first winter with an RV. I live in Cleveland Ohio and right now it's 12 degrees. My rig is in an indoor heated storage facility and I didn't winterize. I'm going to Florida in February with stops in Cincinnati, Chattanooga, Tallahassee, and then on to Naples. I'll be returning to Cleveland and cold temperatures again at the end of February.

I haven't drained my water system. Why can't I just add anti-freeze, and then just flush that out when I get to warmer weather? Then on the way back, just add anti-freeze again? Why does the system have to be drained first?

Thanks for any help that you can provide.

Ken

[wolfe10]

Trackrig wrote:
If you don't drain out the water, depending how much there is such as 50 (?) gallons in your fresh water tank, it will dilute the antifreeze so much that it will be worthless and freeze solid.

Bill

Correct.

Draining allows you to properly winterize with far less antifreeze.

As far as whether you need to winterize-- depends on both temperatures where it is stored and also the first couple of days on the road AND how exposed your tank and plumbing is.

[Trackrig]

If you don't drain out the water, depending how much there is such as 50 (?) gallons in your fresh water tank, it will dilute the antifreeze so much that it will be worthless and freeze solid.

Bill

[Dr_Quick]

I never drain mine, I just pump it directly out of the bottle until I see the "pink" stuff at the faucet. Never had a problem. I just start with the farthest faucet from the bottle. Do hot line then cold.

[Oldme]

You say t is in an indoor heated facility.
I would not drain it.

Mine has been out side here in Ga. for the past 3 years.
I keep heat inside to prevent freezing.
Never has Been drained, except when we get ready
to leave and put in fresh water.

I do put RV antifreeze in the drains, gray and black tanks.
Never anything in the lines.
The inside stays warm enough so nothing freezes.

It got down to 6* for 2 nights last year.
No problems.