Frozen dump valves

[Blanco1]

I'm planning another snow trip & remember our last one I had freezing conditions & sure I could ad antifreeze to the fresh water tank & keep the bathroom door open to keep those pipes from freezing but what about the Dump valve outside?

I was wondering if my wives Blow dryer might be enough to thaw it out enough before trying to dump Or what other options I need to consider for this issue?

Thanks in advance.

[Blanco1]

deltamaster wrote:
On such a trip the only tanks that would need to have antifreeze would be the gray and black. Of course you would not wish to have the potable water tank filled with antifreeze tainted water if you planned to drink it but if you just intend to use it to flush the toilet then it should not be a problem as long as you flush it out before using it to drink later on.

actually since that trip that I added antifreeze to the fresh water tank I've never drank from it.

To be honest I never drink tap water anyways.

Looking back I hope I didn't brush my teeth with?
Doubtful.

[Blanco1]

As for the fresh water side, I added the antifreeze into my fresh water tank & seems that's not what it's designed for?

We only used it for washing our hands & dishes & using the toilet.

For cooking & drinking we used bottled water & the dog got tap water we keep in a 3 gallon bottle we always try to keep topped of for him.

Is the residue on the rinsed dishes bad?

I figured if the fresh water has antifreeze in it so does the gray & black tanks?

Yet out of my fear I only added about a quart to my fresh water tank.

I think it's about a 30-40 gallon tank?

I'll need to double check it's size & then maybe can figure out the right amount of antifreeze?

[deltamaster]

On such a trip the only tanks that would need to have antifreeze would be the gray and black. Of course you would not wish to have the potable water tank filled with antifreeze tainted water if you planned to drink it but if you just intend to use it to flush the toilet then it should not be a problem as long as you flush it out before using it to drink later on.

[JaxDad]

louiskathy wrote:
We went on many weekend ski trips in Wisconsin and Michigan with the grand kids when they were still small enough to take up and pack along.

We winterized the rig... and put a porta potty in the shower for "night time" use only. We did not put any water in the fresh water tank.

Hubby took the porta potty with him in the morning when he used the campground shower. It was easy to dump the contents down the toilet. (At least I hoped he dumped it down the toilet.)

It's less hassle to refill a few empty gallon windshield washer fluid jugs with a 50/50 RV AF & water mix and use that poured into the regular toilet to 'flush' with.

[JaxDad]

M GO BLUE wrote:

JaxDad wrote:
After you've emptied black & grey, put 1/2 gallon of RV / Plumbing antifreeze in each tank, then flush the toilet with a 50/50 blend of antifreeze & water.

Do NOT flush with windshield washer fluid.

Why would you reintroduce water into the lines when you are winterizing?

You wouldn't. I never said you should. I said "flush", as in pouring from jug into bowl.

[deltamaster]

Blanco1 wrote:
I'm planning another snow trip & remember our last one I had freezing conditions & sure I could ad antifreeze to the fresh water tank & keep the bathroom door open to keep those pipes from freezing but what about the Dump valve outside?

I was wondering if my wives Blow dryer might be enough to thaw it out enough before trying to dump Or what other options I need to consider for this issue?

Thanks in advance.

That is what I did in 2010 when I was working at Amazon in Campbellsville, Kentucky.

A block of ice formed at the gate valve so I got the hair dryer and propped it up and let it run until the ice melted.

This year I have heat cord on it so hopefully it will not happen again.

[Blanco1]

smkettner wrote:

Blanco1 wrote:
Then why do they sell it at most camper supply stores?

Labeled as nontoxic but you do not want to drink it.
Used to pump through fresh water system for winter storage. Needs to be flushed out before use.
Very difficult to flush out the fresh water holding tank.

I never these days ever drink tap water any ways..

[time2roll]

Blanco1 wrote:
Then why do they sell it at most camper supply stores?

Labeled as nontoxic but you do not want to drink it.
Used to pump through fresh water system for winter storage. Needs to be flushed out before use.
Very difficult to flush out the fresh water holding tank.

[Blanco1]

ol Bombero-JC wrote:

Blanco1 wrote:

I could ad antifreeze to the fresh water tank.......

Or what other options I need to consider for this issue?

Thanks in advance.

YIKES !!


ADDING ANTIFREEZE TO YOUR FRESH WATER TANK SHOULD *NOT* BE AN OPTION...:S..:(

~

Then why do they sell it at most camper supply stores?

[louiskathy]

We went on many weekend ski trips in Wisconsin and Michigan with the grand kids when they were still small enough to take up and pack along.

We winterized the rig... and put a porta potty in the shower for "night time" use only. We did not put any water in the fresh water tank.

Hubby took the porta potty with him in the morning when he used the campground shower. It was easy to dump the contents down the toilet. (At least I hoped he dumped it down the toilet.)

[ol_Bombero-JC]

Blanco1 wrote:

I could ad antifreeze to the fresh water tank.......

Or what other options I need to consider for this issue?

Thanks in advance.

YIKES !!


ADDING ANTIFREEZE TO YOUR FRESH WATER TANK SHOULD *NOT* BE AN OPTION...:S..:(

~

[Blanco1]

smkettner wrote:
UltraHeat valve warmers

Thanks for that link I'll call them on Monday & consider ordering something from them. 😄

[time2roll]

UltraHeat valve warmers

[pianotuna]

Hi,

Wrap the valves and pipe with old style heating pads.