Winterization question

[Vintmxman]

Can't seem to locate a water heater bypass valve on my new to me 2005 four winds five thousand. Is it OK to leave RV antifreeze in the water heater ? Gut tells me , No as it would be detrimental to the cathode rod in tank or better yet, can someone point me to the water heater bypass valve on this model. I have no manual and have basically exhausted my search for one. I find it hard to beleive it doesn't have a water heater bypass but can't seem to locate it anywhere in or out of the coach. It's 27 degrees F here right now and to say I'm a little nervous would be an under statement..

Thank you in advance for any help provide...

[Vintmxman]

Thanks to all for your help..I ended up filling the whole coach with RV antifreeze opened all taps , flushed toilet , filled traps ,and drained the hot water back into a few of the jugs I used. Plan on installing /finding bypass valves prior to next years cold storage period. Now off ready for a long and cold winters nap..

[wbwood]

Or take it to an rv place and have them do it. Will it cost you? Yes, but you will know it has been done and not have to worry while you are sitting in freezing weather. I winterized the TT we had myself. Went out yesterday to find the by pass and pump on our new class c and it was a PITA.. So I'm taking it in to CW on Friday and let them do it. There is a $10 coupon for it if your a good Sam member on the gsclub website.

[lane_hog]

My valve wasn't immediately next to the WH...

I removed all the kitchen drawers that backed up to the WH, and followed the feed lines from the WH backward into the coach and eventually found the bypass.

You might also want to call Thor and see if there's a plumbing diagram available. I got a set of plumbing and electrical diagrams for my Winnebago online, as well as a parts catalog specific to my coach. Comes in handy at times when troubleshooting...

[tenbear]

Some questions that might help:

What model of FW 5000 do you have?

Have you found the water heater inside the MH? Its a big styrofoam covered thing.

Have you run your hands along the pipes connected to the water heater to locate the valves?

[Dick_B]

If you don't have one, quickly purchase one (Camping World) and install it yourself. There may be another way to disconnect the WH for winterizing but the bypass is much easier. I like the three valve model with shutoff valves at the heater connections and one in the bypass line. That leaves no doubt as to what valves are open/closed.
Some systems, apparently, have three way valves that may not be easy to tell which way the flow will go; especially since it has been a year since you last moved the valve.

[skipnchar]

For many years, filling the hot water tank with antifreeze was standard practice and no harm was ever done by doing so OTHER than it will take a little longer getting the RV ready for next summer. Six to twn gallons of antifreeze cost should make it a good idea to look around some more. Not all bypass systems are located right on the water heater. They are sometimes located a ways away from the heater itself.
Good luck / Skip

[tenbear]

My 2005 Four Winds Dutchmen Express 28A, same as the FW 5000 28A, has the bypass valves under the kitchen sink. It uses a 3 valve system. If yours is a model 28A, open the access door under the sink, just aft of the drawers, remove the panel that blocks access to the area, and dig around under the heating ducts.

[Vintmxman]

Thanks guys, tried searching on it but came up with zero...

[Bumpyroad]

you may not have such a bypass. do a search for a previous thread that has pictures of three different systems, couldn't find the thread title in my forums listing. I would not leave AF in the heater, just remove plug after winterizing and drain it.
your system might have one,two,or three valves.
bumpy

[edsland]

No you go outside and figure where the water heater would be on the inside. Mine is under a cabinet in the bedroom. There should be an access panel some where down by the floor. Open panel you'll see the back side of heater with piping. Flip the valve then go outside and drain the heater. It should be keeped dry during the winter. The antifreeze isn't good for the inside of the heater.