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?

[Theutzigs]

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?

[SDcampowneroper]

Its a 20 minute job with either air and pink or the pink alone. Cost a couple a bucks. Why risk it?

[Crashogre]

Thanks guys, I still have much to learn.

[DutchmenSport]

"An ounce of precaution is worth a pound of cure!"

Murphey's law always prevails.

If you have any doubt, do it!
If you have any reservations, do it!
If you think there may be the slightest chance, do it!

Let me ask you this? If you had to park your automobile over the winter months where you live, would you want plain water in the radiator or automotive antifreeze? There is your answer!

You've made an investment into a pretty expensive toy. Do you really want "old man winter" to tear it up?

[midnightsadie]

GET one FROZEN LINE BEHIND A WALL AND YOU,LL WISH YOU DID.

[Majja13]

Checking in here from Utah. I drain all tanks and blow out the system with a compressor and just add a little RV antifreeze tot he tanks and call it good. I also leave all the valves open. Make sure you drain the water heater as well.

[NanciL]

You say "average", but all it takes is one night with a hard freeze and you'll wish you had winterized.
I have a 25 foot travel trailer and it only takes me ten minutes and one gallon of the pink stuff.
I don't waste my time blowing out the lines. Pumping pink stuff through them will take care of that.

Jack L

[shar3890]

We only low point drain our trailer at the end of season, then pour antifreeze down the traps and into toilet to protect seal. Leave your spickots open to allow for expansion. We live in the cold Northeast and have never had a problem with freeze-up. Been doing it this way for almost 30 yrs.

[n7bsn]

We get cold snaps a lot lower then that, I can recall lows of 0 in your area. This will cause issues with the water lines.

You should be able to get by with draining and blowing out the lines, but doing nothing... well every friend that has tried that now has leaking, or wreaked, water lines.

[donn0128]

Howdy from Dallas.
For winterizing I would suggest you blow out the lines using an air compressor set to about 20PSI. Once that is done pour about a cup of RV antifreeze down each drain and add a couple of cups to the toilet. Be sure to open all valves, and leave the low point drains open all winter. Other than dumping any liquid in the tanks you should be done.