Step by step for 1st time winterizing

[Joe.A]

I have a new 400 BH but do not see where to get Anti-Freeze into the system, not clear on the manifold, directions seemed less than helpful, any directions would be appreciated before it freezes. Never owned a class a sorry if it seems dumb but you tube search did not help either.


Thanks,

Joe

[tmmar]

Joe,
Congrats on your new Berkshire and welcome to the forums.
If you open the door just in front of the rear wheels on the passenger side (the one that has 2 clips on the bottom- you will need something to prop the door open), you will see the water pump there. There is a short length of hose that is piped into the system. You need to turn the valve to the right of the pump so that the pump, when turned on, can suck the anti-freeze into and through the system. Stick the hose into the anti-freeze (I use a pail and put about 3 gallons into it) and turn the pump on. It will then suck the anti-freeze into and through the system. Go around and open each faucet until the anti-freeze comes out. You should also do this for the toilet and water on the fridge door and icemaker. Don't forget about the outside shower. Then pour some anti-freeze into the drains. You will also need to run the washer/dryer if you have one to get the anti-freeze through that.
I used about 6 gallons of anti-freeze when I winterized mine.
Good luck.
Tom

[NO3putt]

Joe,

Make sure you bypass the water heater before pumping anti-freeze in, also we picked up a extra length of the clear tubing and connected it to the short piece that is ther so we could set the anti-freeze container in the ground. We take the filter out of the water filter, and dump the water, and put it back on and it will fill with anti-freeze, when done like tmmar said, we take the filter housing back off the dump the anti-freeze into the traps leaving the water filter housing off for the winter, had one break due to freezing and there about $50.

[tmmar]

Joe/No3putt,
The water heater in the new Berkshires is an on-demand system. There is no holding tank for the hot water and no bypass is needed. There is however, a switch behind the outside cover to turn the water heater off. If you don't turn it off, it will come on when you pump the anti-freeze through. Just turn the water heater off and pump the anti-freeze through.
Tom

[po 185]

and it will not take you that long to do it,,, its easy to do, less than 30 min.

[Witch Doctor]

I do not have a MH but I'm sure they are the same, do any of you put the pink stuff in your black tank clean out? That's a direct line and really not hook-up to your winterizing system. At least it's not on a 5th wheel.

[tmmar]

When you say black tank cleanout are you talking about the black tank flush? If so, I do not put the pink anti-freeze through but I do blow the line out with air. Just being careful.
Tom

[Joe.A]

Thanks all of you for your help! Got is all done including washing machine.
Not sure if ice maker fills from residential fridge fills from same as from water dispenser?
Ran through water dispenser but ice maker was in off position.
Also Do you leave manifold drains closed or just leave the manifold full of the anti-freeze.

Hope I can return the favor, it's going to get cold here in Colorado next week.

Joe

[silver]

Originally Posted by Joe.A

Thanks all of you for your help! Got is all done including washing machine.
Not sure if ice maker fills from residential fridge fills from same as from water dispenser?
Ran through water dispenser but ice maker was in off position.
Also Do you leave manifold drains closed or just leave the manifold full of the anti-freeze.

Hope I can return the favor, it's going to get cold here in Colorado next week.

Joe

Did you remember the toilet and hand sprayer? A lot of people forget that.

You should get pink into frig ice maker and water supply tank.

[NO3putt]

Joe, we out here in Pueblo West, see your in Pueblo. Let us know if you need us to show you anything.

Skip

[lefaivre]

I blow out all of my lines before running antifreeze through the system. I made up my own brass fitting that connects my compressor to the city water inlet .... walmart or camping world sell plastic versions.

I turn the compressor on and one by one I open up each water source until only air comes out.

Do taps, shower, toilet and all low point drains ... don't forget the one being the water heater ... Under the washer..

Turn the washer in briefly until dry air blows thru.

Repeat the process with antifreeze. Making sure to pour a small amount of antifreeze down each trap.

Before storing unit open all low point drains and remove filter canister.

Draining antifreeze from system before storing will reduce the amount out flushing required in the spring.

Many of us in northern climates choose to error on the safe side

Tim

[NO3putt]

Joe, check your PM. Skip