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Connor24's avatar
Connor24
Explorer
Oct 03, 2018

Winterizing

If you drain the low water points, do gou still have to pump antifreeze through the ststem?
  • If the system is designed and built such that the plumbing all slopes towards the low point drains without any dips, then you can drain it by gravity alone (unless the RV happens to not be tilted too far in the wrong direction at the time). Generally it's not practical to rely on that in an RV. It sometimes is done for seasonal houses where the water system is to be drained out for the winter, and the relative levelness of the house should not be varying significantly over time.
  • If you drain the low water points, do gou still have to pump antifreeze through the ststem?


    I don't. In my 1990 Winnebago Warrior it has 4 drain valves. They are the lowest point in the water system and they drain the water completely. I also open all faucet valves in the RV so that there is no vacuum lock preventing complete draining.

    I once tried one of those "blow out" fittings and nothing but air came out. Our system drains so completely there was no water to blow out. So, I haven't done it in years now.

    I pour antifreeze into the drains so that the P-traps don't freeze, and that's it. I never put antifreeze into the fresh water system.

    Steve
  • Connor24 wrote:
    If you drain the low water points, do gou still have to pump antifreeze through the ststem?


    First - this particular forum is for issues with using this forum, not camping/trailer issues. That, and the fact that you double posted, is why someone notified the mods. They will probably close one thread and move the other, but I thought it would benefit you to know why someone notified the moderator. As a new user, you want to make sure you look at the purpose of each forum so that you can post in the right place.

    Second, to your question, the low point drains will clear out most of the line water, but not all - and it does nothing for your drainage system. As stated above, you need to put in antifreeze or blow out the lines to make sure you sufficiently clear the system.
  • Yes, or blow the lines out and remember to open the toilet line by pressing on the foot pedal too to release water there too. One year we didn't do this, blew out the lines, and we found the foot valve cracked in the spring. Now we not only blow out the lines, but pump the pink stuff in as a safe measure.

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