Low Point Drain ??

[steelpony5555]

Ok, never had a trailer with these so called low point drains....does releasing these, and I think there are 2, does it also drain the water heater or do I have to open the plug on it like normal too???

[rmac04401]

You have to empty WH by removing the plastic plug or the anode rod depending on what brand you have suburban vs Atwood and if your tank is steel or aluminum.

[youroo]

Isolate your W/H from the system BEFORE opening the Low point drains,this keeps CRUD/White Stuff from going Downstream in your F/W system! Youroo!!

[steelpony5555]

Thanks ...common sense was telling me I still had to pull the plug....

[youroo]

Originally Posted by steelpony5555

Thanks ...common sense was telling me I still had to pull the plug....

I dont know what you are referring to by this statement about the Plug? My reply was for your low point drains! Youroo!!

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by youroo

I dont know what you are referring to by this statement about the Plug? My reply was for your low point drains! Youroo!!

I think he is referring to his original question about draining the WH as in "or do I still have to open the plug" to drain the WH.

[dieselguy]

Youroo ... explain your W/H statement as to isolating it when draining. Unless you open the W/H pressure relief ... most all the water in the tank stays there.

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by dieselguy

Youroo ... explain your W/H statement as to isolating it when draining. Unless you open the W/H pressure relief ... most all the water in the tank stays there.

He means turn the valves to the winterize position before opening the low point drains. This keeps any crud that may be in the WH from going through the lines and out the low point drains.

[youroo]

Originally Posted by Iwritecode

He means turn the valves to the winterize position before opening the low point drains. This keeps any crud that may be in the WH from going through the lines and out the low point drains.

Correct answer!

[youroo]

Originally Posted by dieselguy

Youroo ... explain your W/H statement as to isolating it when draining. Unless you open the W/H pressure relief ... most all the water in the tank stays there.

Not really true,if they open a H/W faucet with the LP Drains open it will Drain the W/H on Some units! Pulling Crud with it! Youroo!!

[dieselguy]

I guess I'm used to my old SOB's (Montana's) they had a backflow preventer in one line right off the W/H. You would not drain the W/H via low points faucet open or not on them.

[robert.beck.7737]

Exactly what do the low point drains do. Is this all you have to drain to winterize your RV or do you still need to pump RV antifreeze or blowout the system? I know you have to put antifreeze in the P traps

[BillyBass]

I still have antifreeze in my low point drains since I bought it new 2011 never drain them. I don't know what you guys talking about with the wh and lp drains
But when i drain the heater I take a wet vac and I stick a small flex hose on the end and suck out the crud then leave it open. It explain to me what there propose are for

[Iwritecode]

Originally Posted by robert.beck.7737

Exactly what do the low point drains do. Is this all you have to drain to winterize your RV or do you still need to pump RV antifreeze or blowout the system? I know you have to put antifreeze in the P traps

The lowpoint drains are literally the lowest point in your RV's plumbing system. Once you drain your WH, you should be able to get any remaining water out by opening them up.

As far as winterizing with AF, you'll get mixed opinions on that. Most everyone blows out their lines with air. Some *only* add to traps and toilets. Others pump AF throughout. It's really your personal preference.

[Indymule]

Originally Posted by BillyBass

I still have antifreeze in my low point drains since I bought it new 2011 never drain them. I don't know what you guys talking about with the wh and lp drains
But when i drain the heater I take a wet vac and I stick a small flex hose on the end and suck out the crud then leave it open. It explain to me what there propose are for

If you don't have to winterize and you don't need to drain the water lines then this is not a problem. If you have been using the water in your trailer, you no longer have antifreeze in the lines. The low point (lp) drains are just what was said, the lowest point of the water lines and the easiest way to drain the water out of the lines. If you don't drain the water heater or isolate the water heater before you open the lp drains, it will draw the water out of water tank (and any sediment).

[BobHanke]

Make sure your rig is level or the low points are indeed the lowest to empty properly. By pass the hot water heater BEFORE adding antifreeze or you will use an unnecessary 6-10 gallons more.

[dieselguy]

If you've ever pulled panels in your storage compartment or been inside the underbelly above the astrofoil and batt insulation, you'll find there's just too many jogs and didos in your plumbing to depend on the low point drains to dependably winterize your unit. They are not the absolute lowest point in the entire plumbing run. Yes they drain most of the water, but always go ahead and blow out your lines or add "pink stuff" as it's just the smart thing to do.

[steelpony5555]

Ok what I meant was if I opened the low point drains would that also drain the water heater...I was not thinking of the crud in the tank so won't be relying on that. I concur with Dieselguy, there are way too many dipsy doos in the plumbing to rely on the low point drains to get all the water out...would take just one dip in the line to have a big leak in the spring... Now here in Texas would that happen?? I don't know but don't want to find out. So I at least blow out with air. and will remove the plug in the water heater for sure....Thanks

[Mr. Dan]

Yes, it could happen in Texas. I lost a toilet valve in an older trailer because I failed to hold it open when we were blowing out our lines. The trailer was 60 miles north of Dallas.


Sent (I think)

[steelpony5555]

Yes, but you are in the Tundra area of Texas......lol lol lol