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Old 02-15-2012, 12:33 AM   #1
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RV Anti-freeze issue.......

Hope everyone is well. A friend told my wife that using RV anti-freeze is dangerous and we shouldn't drink the water after it's cleared from the lines and will absorb into the plastic water lines and ruin them. She stated tonight at dinner "she and our kids will never drink for the camper faucet again." Need help convincing her that is not true or is she right for once?

Thank you in advance!!
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Old 02-15-2012, 01:21 AM   #2
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Not true, plain and simple. Flush the system, then sanitize if you wish, (do a search on here), and enjoy.

During the last years of Andy Rooney on television, I caught a report of bottled water verses fountain water. 99% of the time, fountain water from a public place, mall or store restroom area, was better and cleaner than most of the major brands of bottled water.

I'll throw one other thing out here, quoted from first post, "A friend told my wife......".
Now is this friend an expert in the healthcare industry? Does this friend have any chemical engineering degrees? Does your friend have any proof that someone got sick, or terminally ill from drinking water from an RV that had antifreeze in it? Don't get me wrong, I'm not being down on your friend, we all here and read stuff, like all the experts that sprung everywhere on Y2K, that the world would end, computers would crash, the economy would be gone, the power grid would die, well, you remember.

In this day and age, I believe nothing I hear from and friends and neighbors. I believe little of what I read, and only half of what I see.

By the way, how is your tire wear with the new axles?
Hope it is OK.
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Old 02-15-2012, 03:03 AM   #3
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Ditto, it's a myth, kind of like the diet soda turning to formaldehyde once it reaches a specific temperature in your body, if that's the case, I have already taken care of my embolming and will not need the services of a mortician when I die, or I should have already died from it, along with millions of others.
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Old 02-15-2012, 05:03 AM   #4
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Here's the MSDS for Peak RV anti freeze. Hazards ID is rated a "0", can't get no lower than that.
http://www.peakauto.com/pdf/msds-peak_rv_marine.pdf
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Old 02-15-2012, 07:43 AM   #5
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RV/Marine non-toxic antifreeze is probably the most misunderstood commodity in the RV industry. There are currently three different varieties on the market at three very different prices.

Ethanol (alcohol) based: This type of antifreeze is most readily available in hardware stores and most RV shops it sells for approximately $3.00 - $4.00 a jug. However, this product is also extremely flammable and not to used around any sort of pilot flames or cigarettes. As well, this product has been known to taint certain RV plumbing systems and is only to be used with Quest or Pex plumbing lines. If you have ever used this product you will quickly remember how bad you water smelt and tasted the next spring. Furthermore, because this product is made from alcohol it works to dry out all the rubber seals readily found in your faucets and toilet.

Propylene Glycol based: This product is usually only available at your local RV shop (and not every RV shop for that matter). It sells for approximately $5.00 - $6.00 a jug. Like the ethanol antifreeze, this product is non-toxic and safe for all RV plumbing. However, propylene glycol does not have the same fire safety warnings, nor the risk of tainting your RV plumbing system. Furthermore, propylene glycol is a lubricant and will actually work to extend the life of the seals in your faucets and toilets, unlike the ethanol based products


Propylene/Ethanol Blend: Again this product is non-toxic and completely safe for RV plumbing systems. It will cost more than $4.00 - $5.00 a jug. This may seem like a good idea, however, it is unknown how much ethanol is required to taint RV plumbing lines and dry out plumbing seals.
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Old 02-15-2012, 08:20 AM   #6
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Once your wife believes what a "friend" told her you will never convince her otherwise. Just bring gallon jugs of bottled water for cooking and coffee, etc.

BTW her friend is an idiot, plain and simple.
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Old 02-15-2012, 08:42 AM   #7
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I have water listed as an ingredient in the RV antifreez that I use, and even that has an MSDS. Included are these 1st Aid instructions:

Eyes: If irritation develops, get medical aid.
Skin: Get medical aid if irritation develops or persists.
Ingestion: Get medical aid if irritation or symptoms occur.
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Old 02-15-2012, 08:46 AM   #8
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Hope her friend doesn't tell her that bleach can be used to sanitize the lines or she'll be afraid everyone's hair will turn blonde and all colored clothes will be fading instantly if you use the water.
Nice knowing you all. I made coffee when camping and ..........
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Old 02-15-2012, 09:08 AM   #9
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We are in FL as I type this. Drove down here on Friday with Pink RV antifreeze in
all the lines. Once here I hooked up to local tap with a filter and flushed the lines.
Some foam on the first day or 2. After that no foam, no taste, just good water.
We're drinking it and making coffee with it.
I do this every year.

RV antifreeze is safe and we have had no issues with residual taste beyond a couple
of days when we first start up the water system.
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Old 02-15-2012, 10:41 PM   #10
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Show her the jug. It says non-toxic right on it.

Tell your "friend" about dihydrogen monoxide and let them go nuts trying to stay away from it.
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Old 02-15-2012, 11:06 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by amxpress View Post
Here's the MSDS for Peak RV anti freeze. Hazards ID is rated a "0", can't get no lower than that.
http://www.peakauto.com/pdf/msds-peak_rv_marine.pdf
and a lower flammability rating than strait Kentucky bourbon.

although too much of that RV antifreeze can't be good for ya'. could create genetic deficiencies, don't you know.


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Old 02-15-2012, 11:15 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KyDan View Post
We are in FL as I type this. Drove down here on Friday with Pink RV antifreeze in
all the lines. Once here I hooked up to local tap with a filter and flushed the lines.
Some foam on the first day or 2. After that no foam, no taste, just good water.
We're drinking it and making coffee with it.
I do this every year.

RV antifreeze is safe and we have had no issues with residual taste beyond a couple
of days when we first start up the water system.
Glad to see you are in my neck of the woods

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ovair View Post
Show her the jug. It says non-toxic right on it.

Tell your "friend" about dihydrogen monoxide and let them go nuts trying to stay away from it.
I got a laugh out of this one -

Almost like telling some one to get you some neumatic fluid

To the OP - hopefully you can convince your wife the water is safe to drink - if you sterilize your lines and tank in your camper just make sure to remove the water filter prior to sterilizing and reinstall after you all is clean
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Old 02-18-2012, 09:05 AM   #13
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Get smarter friends. Sorry had to say it
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Old 02-18-2012, 09:20 AM   #14
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Give her the Pepsi challenge! Take a water sample from your camper and fill a bottle of her favorite bottled water and let her compare! I did this with my wife and she insisted the one bottle was better! The kids tried it and agreed with mom that bottle "a" tasted better, and bottle "b" was terrible......(s***) to quote her directly!
In the reveal BOTH bottles of water I filled where from the kitchen sink of the camper! BUSTED BABY! Sometimes its just all in your head!
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Old 02-18-2012, 09:23 AM   #15
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So dc whats the verdict? TO DRINK OR NOT TO DRINK?
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Old 03-04-2012, 10:10 AM   #16
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HAHAHAHA......Thank you all for the informative and funny thoughts. I will clarify it was HER friend and not mine that made the comment. The verdict is to DRINK after a good sanitizing of the water lines. Happy camping to all, we have plans to camp St Patties day weekend here in NC.....looking forward to it!!!!
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Old 03-10-2012, 05:08 PM   #17
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Propylene glycol is used in many things we eat and drink and put on our skin. It's in things like beer, mayonnaise, biscuits, syrup and even dog food. It's used in toothpaste, cosmetics, deodorants, shampoo and similar products. It's all around us and we're pretty much exposed to it every day in our lives. Folks ought to read labels on products sometimes. You'll find this stuff in ingredients lists all the time.

It's FDA approved and by other similar authorities around the world. By itself, propylene glycol is tasteless and nearly odorless. It's the other ingredients in propylene glycol based RV antifreeze that you see and smell. I can't imagine anyone being allowed to sell antifreeze for use in RVs if it was toxic. Come on..... Automotive anitfreeze is different of course and toxic to humans and animals.

I'd stay away from alcohol based antifreeze because it's hard on seals and components. Ethanol in gas is hard on seals in older cars. Tough to avoid ethanol blended gas nowadays.

There's waaaay more stuff out there that you should be concerned about and some that isn't even controlled (yet). Like sodium for example (aka salt). It's added to just about everything you buy.

I remember when Roundup first came out decades ago, they had an ad on TV showing a guy drinking the stuff to prove it isn't toxic. Not sure I'd want to try it.

I found it's easy to blow the lines out with compressed air so haven't bothered with RV antifreeze in the water lines. I used some in the P-traps and toilet though. Not sure why some people (esp. dealers of course) say air is a poor choice.
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