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11-07-2012, 09:40 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 325
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Antifreeze, pink or green or blue
All the winterizing threads always talk about RV antifreeze. The pink stuff.
I just don't know why regular antifreeze cannot be used. To why not windshield washer fluid.
Gotta be a reason. Can someone enlighten me please?
__________________
Rick and Linda, Lindale, TX
2011 Flagstaff 8528 CKSS
2006 F350 SW
Camping nights 2013: 130
Camping nights 2014: 17
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11-07-2012, 09:43 AM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rickthelen
All the winterizing threads always talk about RV antifreeze. The pink stuff.
I just don't know why regular antifreeze cannot be used. To why not windshield washer fluid.
Gotta be a reason. Can someone enlighten me please?
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1st off....don't even think about it. 
Both automotive antifreeze windshield washer fluid contain chemicals that can kill ya. Even if you don't end up dead, you could end up with liver and/or kidney damage, even from the residual effects left over after a thorough flush of the water lines.
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Chap , DW Joy, and Fur Baby Sango
2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
2017 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS
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11-07-2012, 09:49 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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The (Skull&Crossbones) on the containers is a good hint!!  Youroo!!
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11-07-2012, 10:03 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 881
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The pink stuff is non-toxic. The green stuff will kill you; matter of fact we lost a calico that way when I was a kid thanks to some neighbors carelessness.
The blue stuff has (per Wikipedia) "methylated spirits": denatured alcohol. Probably cause blindness, then death if accidentally ingested.
The pink stuff is designed to go in RV systems. It may take a while to flush and taste yuck if it gets in the WH, but it won't cause major physical damage at least.
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2011 PrimeTime Tracer 2600rls
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11-07-2012, 11:11 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,367
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I have read where people use windshield washer fluid in their drains only, but really for a couple more bucks why take the chance?
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11-07-2012, 11:17 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Jefferson County, MO
Posts: 5,452
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Len & Cheri
I have read where people use windshield washer fluid in their drains only, but really for a couple more bucks why take the chance?
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I totally agree. I mean really, you spend thousands of dollars on an RV and you want to save a couple of bucks by using windshield washer fluid.
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Bob and Joyce
2013 CC Silverback 29RL
2010 Ford F250 XL Crew Cab 6.4 liter diesel
ATU Local 788
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11-07-2012, 11:24 AM
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#7
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Phat Phrog Stunt Team
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
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Not only what has been already said but what about environmental waste when you dump your tanks?
A lot of cg's are on septic systems and well 1 or 2 gallons of automotive antifreeze put back into the ground ......
Get real.
Turbs
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11-07-2012, 12:02 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bloomington MN
Posts: 96
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I just a Menards add in the paper for RV antifreeze for $1.79 after rebate. I will get some now, mail in the rebate and be ready for next year. That is pretty cheap protection.
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Bloomington MN
Rockwood 2304S
TV is a 2014 F150 5.0 V8 with Equal-i-zer
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11-07-2012, 12:43 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 325
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I'm thinkin' the death part is good enough reason.
I hadn't planned on using the other stuff -- just wanted to know why.
Thanks for the responses. 
__________________
Rick and Linda, Lindale, TX
2011 Flagstaff 8528 CKSS
2006 F350 SW
Camping nights 2013: 130
Camping nights 2014: 17
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11-07-2012, 12:49 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,106
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Whatever tastes best is the simply answer, but all the above posters explained it in more depth.
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Terry/Bernadette Lily the Yorkie 2019 Dodge Ram Sport 1500 2019 FR Vibe 28RL
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11-07-2012, 01:42 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Maple Ridge, BC, Canada
Posts: 640
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I had to check the date --- when I read the first post I thought it must be April 1st.   
...VTX-Al
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11-07-2012, 07:19 PM
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#12
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Oklahoma Proud
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: central OK
Posts: 2,784
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Yep, what they said.
Pink bottle-
Green jug
At atwoods the pink is $2.99, at walmart I think $3.99. Green is usualy $8-12 a gal. Pink is safer and cheaper and does not have to be "disposed of properly". Blue will evaporate out the alcohol over time and loose its anti freeze effectivness.
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11-07-2012, 07:22 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Brook Park, OH
Posts: 202
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I get the pink stuff at Wal Mart for under $3 a gal!
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Don
2013 XLR 27HFS Toy Hauler
2014 Silverado 2500HD Z71 Crew Cab
99 Club Car Golf Cart
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11-07-2012, 07:47 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 325
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Wow that was a fun experience. Sorry I asked
__________________
Rick and Linda, Lindale, TX
2011 Flagstaff 8528 CKSS
2006 F350 SW
Camping nights 2013: 130
Camping nights 2014: 17
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11-07-2012, 07:49 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Cedar,Minnesota
Posts: 207
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Do you "REALLY" have to winterize down in texas-- it would take many hours below 30 degrees to do any damage...
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Rod & Linda Johnson
Cedar, Minnesota
2006 F-250 SD 4x4 6.0
2012 Columbus 320RS
K-9's Lucy & Lizzie
Enjoying Life 1 Campground at a time
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11-07-2012, 10:21 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Komoka Ontario
Posts: 2,680
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Quote:
Originally Posted by youroo
The (Skull&Crossbones) on the containers is a good hint!! Youroo!! |
Couldn't have said it any better.
__________________
"Well that didn't go as expected"
2015 Chev 2500HD Highcountry Duramax
Cedar Creek Silverback 33IK
Donald&Casey cairn terrier
Rest in Peace Mary my darling wife.
Scottish by birth Canadian by time.
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11-07-2012, 10:28 PM
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#17
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Just Love to Camp
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,429
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rickthelen
Wow that was a fun experience. Sorry I asked
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It never hurts to ask!!!! You are just lucky they all answered the same
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11-08-2012, 08:04 AM
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#18
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rickthelen
All the winterizing threads always talk about RV antifreeze. The pink stuff.
I just don't know why regular antifreeze cannot be used. To why not windshield washer fluid.
Gotta be a reason. Can someone enlighten me please?
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Ethylene Glycol is the "antifreeze agent" used in cars and trucks.
It tastes sweet like sugar water and is a deadly poison.
Used in some areas of the world to control wolves and other dangerous animals.
Illegal here due to "collateral damage" (killing unintended victims like family pets and children), elsewhere a bowl of antifreeze left out overnight is cheap poison.
It is a horrible way to die.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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11-08-2012, 08:08 AM
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#19
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Site Team - Lou
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,269
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Additionally, FYI while the "pink stuff" will not freeze when used straight, it WILL freeze if diluted. It will also allow bacteria to grow so a thorough sanitization is required when you "de-winterize." in the spring.
Windshield de-icer (the winter stuff) has SOAP in it to dissolve bugs.
Summer stuff is just soapy water with vinegar in it to cut road grime and will freeze just fine.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
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11-08-2012, 08:15 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 881
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Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769
It is a horrible way to die.
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As I mentioned, personal experience with our cat - it was really, really bad.
__________________
2011 PrimeTime Tracer 2600rls
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