Newbie question - Winterize or not

[Crashogre]

Hi All,

Newbie, just bought a 21' Coleman 16FB. Here in Springfield Oregon, the average low is 33 degrees and it usually doesn't stay that for long. I see lots of how to's on winterizing but I am wondering if I need to winterize it or if it ok to just drain the tanks?

[PaulJ2]

Have not winterized for a couple years now as we sometimes use ours in the winter. If we have a cold below freezing spell I just turn on the furnace at it's lowest setting (50)and leave the cabinet doors open under the sink--bathroom and kitchen.
Spend money for antifreeze or spend it for propane, your choice. Has worked ok so far. Fresh water tank and pipes are all inside.

[colliehauler]

RedRocket204 wrote:

colliehauler wrote:
I like what another poster said he used vodka instead of the pink stuff to winterize. Did not have the after taste when dewinterizeing.

Another plus is you would not have to sanitize the water lines.

I can see it now...

Dewinterizing:

Nope, still vodka
Nope, still vodka
Nope, still vodka
Nope, still vodka
Noep, still vodka
Noep, still vodka
Noep, stiiiiiil vodka
Noep, stiiiiiil voka
Noep, stiiiiiil vokaaaaaaaaaa
Noep
Noep
Yup
Yup


floor

LOL

I guess you could have a Dewinterizing party!

[Timtation]

If you don't have a compressor you can use a shop-vac to suck the lines dry, a few even still have a discharge to blow and you can use it. Suck the lines dry and even the little amount that may lie in low spots will not break lines. You can even suck the traps dry but I prefer to add a bit of pink to traps just to add peace of mind and seal the gasses.

[RedRocket204]

colliehauler wrote:
I like what another poster said he used vodka instead of the pink stuff to winterize. Did not have the after taste when dewinterizeing.

Another plus is you would not have to sanitize the water lines.

I can see it now...

Dewinterizing:

Nope, still vodka
Nope, still vodka
Nope, still vodka
Nope, still vodka
Noep, still vodka
Noep, still vodka
Noep, stiiiiiil vodka
Noep, stiiiiiil voka
Noep, stiiiiiil vokaaaaaaaaaa
Noep
Noep
Yup
Yup


floor

[colliehauler]

I like what another poster said he used vodka instead of the pink stuff to winterize. Did not have the after taste when dewinterizeing.

Another plus is you would not have to sanitize the water lines.

[RollTideCamp]

Winterizing it really (really) isn't that big of a deal.

I blow the lines, clear the low-point and put pink in the tanks and traps. This takes about 20-30 minutes (less time than it takes to break camp).

We live in Alabama and often camp in the middle of winter when we have a few good days (which is great to avoid crowds).

We de-winterize before we leave and re-winterize when we return, it is really not a big deal just $$ for pink stuff. Which is less than repairs.

[RVcircus]

Winterize for sure if the temps drop below freezing. It's not worth righing the major PITA you may need to deal with if you don't.

[RedRocket204]

PureMI wrote:
w/washer solvent is quite toxic as well, whereas RV antifreeze will not kill you. It's cheap insurance.

OP's question was regarding only the P-traps for use with winter windshield fluid.

But you are right, it should be mentioned to NEVER use windshield fluid in the water lines as it is considered a poison: www.poison.org - Windshield Washer Fluid: A Winter Hazard

www.poison.org wrote:
Windshield washer solution contains a chemical called methanol. If swallowed, methanol can cause kidney failure, blindness, and death.

[PureMI]

w/washer solvent is quite toxic as well, whereas RV antifreeze will not kill you. It's cheap insurance.

[Theutzigs]

Thanks..

I had some windshield around, and was wondering..

Be getting some pink stuff!

[DutchmenSport]

Theutzigs wrote:
I have already blown my lines out..

Does anyone see an issue with using winter windshield washer fluid for the P-Traps rather than Pink stuff?

Chances are, windshield washer fluid probably costs more than the Pink Stuff. Pink stuff is made for RV. Windshield fluid, not so sure about that? Your money, your repair bills, you decide?

[MKirkland]

I winterize even though the tt goes into heated storage for the winter. We have to take it out March 24th. If the power goes out or it's still cold when we get the tt out, I don't take the risk.

[RedRocket204]

Theutzigs wrote:
I have already blown my lines out..

Does anyone see an issue with using winter windshield washer fluid for the P-Traps rather than Pink stuff?

I'm guessing here, isn't that what this forum generally is anyway :), since winter windshield fluid has a high percentage of methanol, I'm not sure if that would cause issues with P-traps or gray/black tanks. The toilet seal though, I would not use it as I would be concerned the seal would get dried out with continued use of windshield fluid. Yes, I realize you didn't mention the toilet just wanted to comment on it anyway. Not sure on the gray/black valves if they would be affected. Certainly, by the time the windshield fluid got to the gray/black tank valves it would probably be diluted.

RV pink antifreeze fluid is cheap stuff and I would just use it as it is already a known quantity. Just buy a couple of gallons at your local big box store to have it handy for when you need it.

Another thought... evaporation. It is possible the windshield fluid will evaporate a lot quicker then the pink stuff which will result in "sewer gas" entry into your cabin.

[IdaD]

Crashogre wrote:
Hi All,

Newbie, just bought a 21' Coleman 16FB. Here in Springfield Oregon, the average low is 33 degrees and it usually doesn't stay that for long. I see lots of how to's on winterizing but I am wondering if I need to winterize it or if it ok to just drain the tanks?

I'd winterize it. Average low may be 33 but it drops lower than that regularly in Springtucky.

Source: I went to grad school in Eugene, so I've been through some winters there.