Winterizing the washer and dishwasher?

[5rdriver]

We are looking at a used 5th wheel that has the washer/dryer and dishwasher installed. I'm concerned about how to tell if they have been correctly winterized. We've never had these appliances in an RV before. I know a regular household washer will hold a little water in the pump. I've heard of more than one instance where someone stored a good washer in the garage or barn only to find out the pump had froze and cracked when they took it out of storage because they hadn't put antifreeze in it. Are RV washers and dishwashers the same? What is the process to winterize them?

[coolmom42]

5rdriver wrote:
We are looking at a used 5th wheel that has the washer/dryer and dishwasher installed. I'm concerned about how to tell if they have been correctly winterized. We've never had these appliances in an RV before. I know a regular household washer will hold a little water in the pump. I've heard of more than one instance where someone stored a good washer in the garage or barn only to find out the pump had froze and cracked when they took it out of storage because they hadn't put antifreeze in it. Are RV washers and dishwashers the same? What is the process to winterize them?

The only way to tell for sure if there is freeze damage is to make the seller cycle both appliances through, while watching closely for leaks. You should do that anyway, to make sure they work right, as part of a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

[Vet_Man]

You also need to get anti freeze into the drain line. I run it through a cycle, using anti freeze and on the warm setting to get it through both the hot and the cold, and into the drain. After the tub fills just once shut it off after spin out.

[5rdriver]

Thanks for the replies. It is a Splendide stackable washer. Is there anyway to tell about the dishwasher? Thanks

[Ranger_Smith]

Drive to the Keys.

[mchero]

Never herd of winterizing the ice cube tray! LOL

[Trackrig]

We have the Splendide washer/dryer in our 2005 Fleetwood 39S Excursion.

The first time we winterized it in Alaska we used pink RV antifreeze. We put it in the fresh water tank and pumped it into the WD by cycling like we were doing a load of wash.

Under the front of the cabinet where the WD is mounted there is about a 7" square wooden access cover than can be removed with four screws. With a flashlight we could see the pink antifreeze in all three lines.

I'm not sure why there are three clear plastic 1/2" lines to the WD. There would be the hot, cold and ??? Maybe the third one is the drain line so that it's flexible to take care of the WD vibrating?

Also on the bottom front of the WD is a round cover (2.5" dia?) that is the lint trap. It should be opened to drain water out of it and clean the lint out. This usually takes two people. The lint trap is under / behind the cover at the bottom of the WD. It takes one person to tilt the unit slightly backwards so the cover clears the wooden frame and a second person to unscrew the cover. Then we poured about a quart of antifreeze inside the WD and cycled it to get it through the drain.

So, if they winterized with pink antifreeze you should be able to see it in the clear hoses via the access door. If the winterized using air, there's nothing that you can really check.

This year when we winterized, we used air, besides pouring antifreeze down all of the drains, I also poured some in the bottom of the WD and cycled it.

You also face the same question about winterizing the ice cube maker in the freezer. If they used pink stuff you should be able to see, if they used air, you won't really be able to tell.

Bill

[mchero]

What model washer would help. Splendide washers have cover over the pum that you can remove. It would be detailed in the owners manual. You might want to disconnect the hot & cold water lines. Would be a good idea to pull the washer & inspect, check for lint in the hose & such. Also will want to replace the water lines with new to be safe.

Congrats