RV Antifreeze - What's your flavor ????

[cobiker]

Originally Posted by cobiker

There's a bunch of different brands of RV Antifreeze (the Pink Stuff) that you can buy. All seem to protect down to -50 degrees F. Wondering if they're all basically the same or are there differences to consider. What do you use?

So to summarize

Pink (11) vs Blue (3)

Pink (-50) there are two main ingredient types;
Ethanol (aka Alcohol) or Propylene Glycol

Blue (-100) also uses Propylene Glycol, just a higher %age.

Possible issues with using Pink (Ethanol based Antifreeze)

1. impact on rubber seals and plastic in the water system
2. residual taste even after flushing system
3. lower flash point then propylene glycol. 110 vs 200 something

Another issue not brought up but discussed in the link Tech Tips: RV Antifreeze: Not All the Same - RV Life Magazine is whether the materials used are recycled vs virgin.

Conclusion:

Best value, cost vs function for RV'rs is Pink (-50) using propylene glycol. Some also may be mix it with Glycerin * or Glycerol ** unless temps get close to -50 and then would opt for the Blue (-100)

Brands using propylene glycol and percentages

Dowfrost ** 18-21% / 11-13%
Super Tech (Walmart) 30%
Splash (O'Rielys) * <20% / < 20%
Prestone 20-40%
Polar 25.5%
WinterCare 40%
Camco EasyGoing ???

Percentages based on MSDS sheet

Brands using Ethanol

Camco Artic Ban
Peak
Zecol (Lowe's)

[BarryD0706]

Great info cobiker. Thanks!

[Janet H]

Not sure about the alcohol content but the mint stuff is horrible, imo. It can permeate pipes and pex lines and the flavor can linger long after it's drained and flushed. Nothing worse than minty coffee in the morning

[Poppy Bill]

Use air and blow the lines out.

[OldCoot]

I like my way better, just hook up and go to FL for the duration.

[B47]

With highs of 70-74 and lows of 50 here,what is this "Pink Stuff" and "Antifreeze" you are talking about?

[KyDan]

You and OC are killing me!! I can't believe summer is over so fast.....
We've got 2 shortie trips left on the calendar and the 2nd is iffy.
Weather man mentioned the F word last nite for next week. (Freeze- not what you were thinking!)

[John4th]

We're heading for Brown County today, our last trip for the year. Hoping the rain ends very soon tomorrow. Will winterize next weekend. Following weekend I'm moving my business to a new location.

I have always used the pink stuff, cost roughly $4/gallon around here. I also blow out my lines.

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by KyDan

I've been using the "cheap stuff" for 8 years.
No problems that I know of.
YMMV

Have to correct myself-- looked in my garage at some old empty jugs.
Most all say "does not contain alcohol". I just never paid attention before now. I usually pay $2.50-$3 for these. Hate to hear some of you guys
are paying North of $4 or even $5 for it!

Recently (this month) bought Meijer house brand and it says no alcohol.
Sent the wife back for more on her weekly shopping trip and she came back
with CM tech group redish orange that says - contains propylene glycol, glycerine and ethanol. Guess they are covering ALL the bases!

[Bryan2503S]

Ace Hardware has "Artic Ban" Pink stuff on sale in the Northeast this week for 1.99/gal if you have one of their cards.

[pappcam]

I usually pick up 4 gallons of the cheap stuff in the fall. Usually 3-4 bucks a gallon up here in Canada.

I don't even look at the brand.

[Ford Idaho]

Walmart $4.89 a jug.

[B47]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

Walmart $4.89 a jug.

Not sure - but that sounds like a good price for a big brand antifreeze. Thankfully I don't have to buy any of the stuff.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by B47

Not sure - but that sounds like a good price for a big brand antifreeze. Thankfully I don't have to buy any of the stuff.

They did have another brand that was cheaper by about a buck and a half, did not know the name so I paid a little more.

[B47]

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

They did have another brand that was cheaper by about a buck and a half, did not know the name so I paid a little more.

That's usually what I do in these situations also.

I have read studies about whether the famous brands are really better than the store label brands and they have mixed reviews.

I figure the store brand has to cut some corners to have the lower price.

[Herk7769]

I have "Murphy Proofed" my RV Antifreeze and ONLY buy PINK colored RV Antifreeze.

I bought an orange colored one once and almost put in in my truck's windshield wash filler.

My winter flavor windshield wash (De-Ice formula) is also orange.
GFB, I should have reversed it.

[cobiker]

Originally Posted by cobiker

Brands using propylene glycol and percentages

Dowfrost ** 18-21% / 11-13%
Super Tech (Walmart) 30% <====== Incorrect
Splash (O'Rielys) * <20% / < 20%
Prestone 20-40%
Polar 25.5%
WinterCare 40%
Camco EasyGoing ???

Correction on Super Tech. It does contain Propylene Glycol but Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) is the primary ingredient.

Here's the breakdown;

Ethyl Alcohol
Propylene Glycol
Water
DI Potassium Phospate
Colorant
Fragrance

I was going to use it yesterday, but opted out and picked up some Pink Stuff from O'Rielly Auto (Splash). On sale 2 for $8.

Ingrediants for Splash (RV & Marine Antifreeze)

Water
DOW® USP propylene glycol
Proprietary plant-derived additive (Glycerin)
DOW® corrosion inhibitors
Dye

[Herk7769]

Other than color, I buy what is cheapest. I would most likely pay more attention if temperatures routinely dropped sub-zero for any length of time.

PA does not get all that cold and stay there for weeks at a time like other places.

[itat]

Originally Posted by herk7769

I have "Murphy Proofed" my RV Antifreeze and ONLY buy PINK colored RV Antifreeze. I bought an orange colored one once and almost put in in my truck's windshield wash filler. My winter flavor windshield wash (De-Ice formula) is also orange. GFB, I should have reversed it.

Up here, we can buy pink windshield washer fluid for summer use. It apparently does a better job at cleaning bugs. And you can get a pink RAINX product for the winter. So, I use the entire container of RV antifreeze every year to be sure it doesn't get used in my vehicles.

[racer4]

I use whatever RV Antifreeze Walmart or Tractor Supply has. Then I drain it.