Pink antifreeze "FROZEN"

[Charles Firth]

Checked my Windjammer today before the snow hit. I found that the pink rv antifreeze that I put in the toilet was frozen into a block of ice. Never seen that happen before , sure hope there is no other damage. I put more in the toilet as well as the P traps. That antifreeze is supposed to be good to well below zero. It has been cold here in eastern Va, in the 20's for several days, but that stuff should not have frozen. Now I have my fingers crossed there is no other damage.

Chuck in frigid Va 17 degrees here now. ( we are not used to this )

[Shinny]

I hope nothing happens to your camper. I'll have to check mine after this 5-8" hits tomorrow. It's been in the 20's and below in Maryland too.

[youroo]

The Pink I use says (-40f) yours is Cheap or Diluted! Youroo!!

[SammySabre]

RV antifreeze has a burst rating. The good stuff is -50°F below zero. There is other stuff out there that may be less money however, burst rating is around 20-25 below. Burst rating means the antifreeze wont expand till the burst point is reached. It will freeze long before it expands however.

Read this for more details..............
The burst point of an antifreeze is the temperature at which a sealed copper pipe filled with the undiluted product will burst. Burst points are a standard created by the plumbing industry in the 1930s to indicate the relative strength of antifreeze. They have since become synonymous with the name of antifreeze products used for winter storage. Burst points help consumers choose the proper product based on the lowest expected temperatures for their specific area.

A freeze point is the temperature at which ice crystals begin to form in the undiluted product. Freeze points are the measurements given when using refractometers and hydrometers. Note: most refractometers provide readings on both a PG and an EG scale, so it is important to use the PG reading when testing this product. Hydrometers are either made to provide PG or EG readings. It is critical to test this product with a hydrometer specifically designed to provide PG readings. Most hydrometers are purchased at auto supply stores and are designed for use with EG, so they cannot be used to test PG antifreeze. Keep in mind that it is normal to see readings that may vary by several degrees from the product's stated freeze point based on ambient temperature or the age of the product. For example, the freeze point of the -50°F product is +12°F, but it is not unusual to see readings in a range of +12°F to +16°F. Shake PG antifreeze well before testing as the heavier PG component may have settled toward the bottom.

Because the stored engine or water system is not in use, preventing ice crystals is not necessary, and to do so would require the use of a more expensive product with a higher PG content. As an example, the -50°F antifreeze has a freeze point of +12°F while the -100°F antifreeze has a freeze point of -60°F.

However, as the temperature drops the solution begins to solidify and expand, it puts pressure on pipes that can lead to damage. This is why it is important to select an antifreeze that will provide burst protection appropriate for a specific region's lowest anticipated temperatures. Products providing lower burst point temperatures contain higher concentrations of PG and are thus more expensive, but they will provide the protection needed in the event of extreme weather.

[AVid]

RV anti freeze will freeze but not to the point of expanding and bursting pipes. Mine went through -13 last winter with no ill effects. -12 yesterday and -10 today.

John

Whoops...SammySaber beat me to it!

[caper]

RV anti freeze will freeze but it does not expand when frozen.

[SpaCityBulldog]

Supposed to reach the lows teens tonight in "Hot" Springs The area is now covered in ice.

[Charles Firth]

The antifreeze was not diluted, so hopefully there is no damage. I just have never seen it freeze. I use the same in my boat and no problems in the past. I am fairly new to camping, but the plumbing an winterizing is about the same. I guess we will see during the spring thaw.

[keep camping]

Mine will freeze and look slushy in toilet bowl and it gets down to -25 to -30 all the time. Never had a problem.

[DBsRedVett]

I'm in Scarsdale, NY we used -50 Anti-freeze, with the below temps we have been having ours froze. We moved my RV up to the house so I can load up and leave for Florida on Thursday, opened my water door and called my husband to look, the water filter container froze, I did not go and check the toilet, etc. Last winter we had no problems. I was going to leave the antifreeze in until I got closer to NC or SC and then I was going to flush it all out. Any suggestions as I'm driving by myself and 3 dogs

[stallsmi]

I panicked last winter when my antifreeze froze (I live in the South where freezing is not common). But when spring came, all was okay. Like pointed out by others, antifreeze does not expand and damage your plumbing. You will be okay when the warm weather arrives (and not a minute too soon).

[gashog]

I wonder if the freezing of the RV antifreeze is why they say keep all your faucets open?

[B and B]

I used a Canadian Antifreeze that is good to -40 C. We had Record setting temperatures at -35 C last night. I have a jug in the Garage and it did not freeze. There are 2 types of antifreeze sold here, -40 and -50. I put the plugs in the sinks to prevent evaporation.

[ksignoles]

Thanks for the information and helping me understand. I will sleep easy tonight now.


2013 Sierra 346 RET
2010 Ford 350 6.4 l CC SRW
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[jtownstumpjumper]

Originally Posted by SpaCityBulldog

Supposed to reach the lows teens tonight in "Hot" Springs The area is now covered in ice.

-2 tomorrow night in Jonesboro and NE Arkansas......you think the horses will run tomorrow down there???...lol.

[mjones12]

Dbsredvet: FYI, temps may drop to single digits in NC this week, even in the lower elevations. Fairly unusual in this part of the state.

[DBsRedVett]

All the faucets are open on my unit. We have two gallons in the garage, in a metal cabinet they are good. My RV was under cover and sitting in a sunny area, when we had sun. Hoping to make it thru to Florida starting on Thursday, if not try to get out on Friday.

[Dave Lyon]

Originally Posted by B and B

I used a Canadian Antifreeze that is good to -40 C. We had Record setting temperatures at -35 C last night. I have a jug in the Garage and it did not freeze. There are 2 types of antifreeze sold here, -40 and -50. I put the plugs in the sinks to prevent evaporation.

That's an interesting comment. Last winter I checked on the trailer several times and noticed the pool of pink in the toilet bowl had frozen......I chalked it up to evaporation as well.

[TURBS]

Op did you "blow" out lines then just dump antifreeze in bowl and traps?
Or did you winterize the whole system with antifreeze?

[GeoArm]

We have been in the single digits or below all last week and this week - will be pulling the RV out in a couple of weeks to head south ;-) I will update on the antifreeze - I winterized by sucking it through the pipes, and putting some in the bowl and holding tanks.


I can tell you there is more and more CHEAP stuff, I had winshield washer fluid freeze up in my vehicles - diluted or just blue food coloring ;-)