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Winterizing Prime Time Lacrosse

jrs1871
Explorer
Explorer
In a couple of weeks, we will be winterizing our new Prime Time Lacrosse. The dealer didn't explain this during the PDI (said to look it up on the internet). That is a whole different story but I have a couple of questions on the winterizing process. It appears from the owner's manual that the water heater had a bypass valve. But it is behind a panel fastened in with screws. Before I remove the panel, I wondered if anyone else has this model and knows for sure about the bypass valve.
Also, is there a bypass on the water pump so that you can pick up the antifreeze from the jug. The water pump is behind a screwed in panel near the kitchen sink so it is not readily visible. Or do I need to put the antifreeze into the fresh water tank in order to draw some into the pump. I will blow out the lines so that should take care of the faucets and I will pour antifreeze down the traps but I want to make sure the water pump is protected.
4 REPLIES 4

cthompson
Explorer
Explorer
I have a Lacrosse. The water heater bypass is behind the panel as well as the water pump and RV antifreeze pumping line. I bypass water heater then put hose in gallon jug and start pumping untill pink stuff comes out off all faucets as well as low point drains. If you have a black tank clean out hook up do not forget to remove water from it. I forgot and the line froze and busted.

jrs1871
Explorer
Explorer
We have winterized other RV's so we are familiar with the process. But this is the first trailer where the water heater and water pump are not readily accessible. So my primary question was if someone was familiar with this specific trailer and knew if there was bypass valve(s) and an antifreeze pickup hose before we unscrewed the panels. I guess we just take off the panels and see what is back there.
I can see that in the future, after you have removed and replaced those screws several times that it will likely enlarge the screw holes. Guess some modifications are in the future to rework those panels somehow.

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Explorer
Do not put pink stuff in your fresh water tank and pump from there. In all the best efforts, there is still some water in the bottom of the tank and it will dilute the pink stuff (not good).

Second, you do not want pink-stuff in your water heater. It will take at least 6 gallons to fill it before the hot water will pump to the rest of camper. It needs to be by-passed. Remove the screws and panel. There's no short cut here.

More than likely, you'll have only 1 valve to switch. There are in-line check-valves that will prevent the water from back-feeding into the water heater once this is flipped. If you have 3 valves, set each one in the opposite setting from where they are now.

More than likely you'll need to get an adapter to pump the pink stuff from your on-board water pump. You removed the intake line side on the pump and replace it with a hose and connection that goes into the pink-stuff gallon jug.

You then simply flip your water pump switch on, let the pump suck the pink stuff from the bottle until the water pump shuts off because the system has reached its pressure.

Then go to each faucet, cold then hot (not both at the same time) until pink stuff comes out of the faucet. When you start sucking air, you'll need to open a new gallon of pink-stuff until all your faucets are done. Remember, bathroom, kitchen, toilet, and outside faucets or outside shower.

Also, remember to let some drain down the bathtub/shower drain, the kitchen sink drains (both sides) and bathroom sink drain so the pink-stuff fillls the p-traps. If you have normal water in them without draining or replacing with pink-stuff, they could freeze and crack. I had this happen to the bathroom sink last year. Easy fix, since it's all standard plumbing parts, but still an aggravation having to do it.

Good luck.

WyoTraveler
Explorer
Explorer
If you are going to pump in the pink stuff you need to use water heater by pass valves. You don't want to get pink stuff in the water heater. If you are going to blow out lines withe air you don't have to be concerned with the by pass valve. I would decide which method you prefer to use and pose that question. I just blow my lines out with air. Still have to put antifreeze in traps, black tank to cover dump valves, in toilet to cover valve to keep it from drying out. If you decide to pump pink stuff through lines there should be a pick up hose for that near your pump or in your wet bay.