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10-03-2017, 10:08 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 15
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Winterizing Question?
Can you drain the fresh water tank and put a few gallons of antifreeze in the tank and run the pump to fill the lines? What is the negative if there is one to doing it this way, instead of disconnecting lines near the pump?
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10-03-2017, 10:27 AM
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#2
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Kasual Kamper
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Fairfield County CT
Posts: 1,297
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Do a search for "winterizing". This is a fairly popular topic recently. The short answer is that you don't put a/f in the fresh water tank.
__________________
Current: 2013 Flagstaff MicroLite 21DS
Past: 2000 Fleetwood Mallard 19N
TV: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder SL 4x4
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10-03-2017, 10:33 AM
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#3
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Always Learning
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Four Corners, FL
Posts: 21,891
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The negatives are that 1) it takes a lot more antifreeze to fill the tank enough to the point that the pump will suck it and 2) that it takes a lot more work getting it all out in the spring.
If you’re going ahead and disconnecting lines, it seems like it should be easy to just install a winterization kit. Do it once and it’s there for future uses.
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Officially a SOB with a 2022 Jayco Precept 36C
Checkout my site for RVing tips, tricks, and info | Was a Fulltime Family for 5 years, now we're part-timing on long trips
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10-03-2017, 10:36 AM
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#4
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JayArras
Do a search for "winterizing". This is a fairly popular topic recently. The short answer is that you don't put a/f in the fresh water tank.
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Why would that be? I know that it is a popular topic. I believe that some videos do it through the fresh water tank. I am trying to get the positives and the negatives.
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10-03-2017, 10:38 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Southern NM
Posts: 9,565
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Do it once, and after the process of cleaning it out of the tank in the spring, you won't do that again 
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Scott and Liz - Southern NM
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL - w/level up (best option ever)
2007 Chevy 2500HD Duramax
Reese Fifth Airborne Sidewinder
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10-03-2017, 11:03 AM
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#6
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,152
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tomahawk246
Why would that be? I know that it is a popular topic. I believe that some videos do it through the fresh water tank. I am trying to get the positives and the negatives.
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Other than in an absolute pinch of being up against a couple of freezing days/nights and you had no other way of ingesting antifreeze into your system, I can think of NO pros for putting antifreeze in your fresh water tank.
It wastes too much to get to the level of the suction port and it takes multiple flushes to get it out in the spring. Add an antifreeze port and you have all positives and no negatives.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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10-03-2017, 02:27 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 173
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Why not just open all of the faucets. Open the low point drains and let the lines drain. The fresh water tank should have a drain valve too. Once the tank is empty, run the fresh water pump for about 15 seconds to get the water out of it. That is what I do every year and have had no issues.
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10-03-2017, 02:39 PM
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#8
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by otrtrucker
Why not just open all of the faucets. Open the low point drains and let the lines drain. The fresh water tank should have a drain valve too. Once the tank is empty, run the fresh water pump for about 15 seconds to get the water out of it. That is what I do every year and have had no issues.
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Sound EZ but the first time I heard that one.
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10-03-2017, 02:44 PM
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#9
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Kasual Kamper
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Fairfield County CT
Posts: 1,297
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Quote:
Originally Posted by otrtrucker
Why not just open all of the faucets. Open the low point drains and let the lines drain. The fresh water tank should have a drain valve too. Once the tank is empty, run the fresh water pump for about 15 seconds to get the water out of it.
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As mentioned in other threads, unless you blow out your lines with compressed air, you run the risk of water remaining in parts of the line.
__________________
Current: 2013 Flagstaff MicroLite 21DS
Past: 2000 Fleetwood Mallard 19N
TV: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder SL 4x4
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10-03-2017, 02:57 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by otrtrucker
Why not just open all of the faucets. Open the low point drains and let the lines drain. The fresh water tank should have a drain valve too. Once the tank is empty, run the fresh water pump for about 15 seconds to get the water out of it. That is what I do every year and have had no issues.
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I've been doing it this way for years and never had a problem.
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10-03-2017, 03:08 PM
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#11
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Pickin', Campin', Mason
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: South Western PA
Posts: 19,152
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Quote:
Originally Posted by otrtrucker
Why not just open all of the faucets. Open the low point drains and let the lines drain. The fresh water tank should have a drain valve too. Once the tank is empty, run the fresh water pump for about 15 seconds to get the water out of it. That is what I do every year and have had no issues.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CamperWill
I've been doing it this way for years and never had a problem.
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You might get away with doing that but there are others not so lucky.
I've said this before...I've seen far too many toilet valves or faucet cartridges with a drop or two of water left behind from only blowing out the lines which have froze and broke to convince me to suck antifreeze into the system. Why take a chance when you can be 100% sure.
__________________
2022 Cedar Creek 345IK 5th Wheel•Solar & Inverter•2024 Ford F-Series SCREW•7.3L•4x4•Factory Puck•B&W Companion•TST Tire Monitor w/Repeater•Sinemate 3500w Gen.
F&AM Lodge 358 Somerset, PA - JAFFA Shrine - Altoona, PA
Days Camped ☼ '19=118 ☼ '20=116 ☼ '21=123 ☼ '22=134 ☼ '23=118☼ '24=90
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10-03-2017, 03:09 PM
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#12
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Kasual Kamper
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Fairfield County CT
Posts: 1,297
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CamperWill
I've been doing it this way for years and never had a problem.
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You've been lucky.
__________________
Current: 2013 Flagstaff MicroLite 21DS
Past: 2000 Fleetwood Mallard 19N
TV: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder SL 4x4
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10-03-2017, 11:26 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,502
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Camperwill forgot to say he lives in Southern Florida ;-)
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10-04-2017, 06:12 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 173
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I live in Virginia, and have never had an issue by not using RV antifreeze. I just make sure the lines are empty. I do pour just enough -20° windshield washer fluid in the p-traps to get the water out of them.
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10-04-2017, 06:39 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CamperWill
I've been doing it this way for years and never had a problem.
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If all RVs were Plumbed the "SAME" as your unit it Might be good advice,but to give "Blanket Advice" is "BAD Advice",because of Location,Type of unit,Options,ect!  Youroo!! 
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10-04-2017, 06:43 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Waynesville
Posts: 14,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyliner
Camperwill forgot to say he lives in Southern Florida ;-)
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He is listed as "Boston" is the RV in Fla.?  Youroo!!
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10-04-2017, 06:51 AM
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#17
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"On the road again"
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Parker County Texas
Posts: 1,152
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Quote:
Originally Posted by otrtrucker
Why not just open all of the faucets. Open the low point drains and let the lines drain. The fresh water tank should have a drain valve too. Once the tank is empty, run the fresh water pump for about 15 seconds to get the water out of it. That is what I do every year and have had no issues.
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I did this - and then used air to blow the remaining water out of the lines...except, I forgot to make sure someone/something was holding down the toilet flush pedal while blowing the air into the lines.
Unfortunately I guess I'm a slow learner...did this twice and replaced a valve TWICE after freezes.
I now know better.
__________________
Robert & Estha Shiflet
Georgetown XL 378TS
Jeep Gladiator Willys Tow Vehicle
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10-04-2017, 07:01 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 672
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When you drain the water heater, be sure to release the pressure before you remove the anode rod/plug. Don't ask how I know. 
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Retired Auto body teacher
2021 Arctic Wolf 3550 Suite
2019 F-250 Lariat Super Crew 6.2
Having lots of Fun traveling with my wife
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10-04-2017, 07:08 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 173
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rjshiflet
I did this - and then used air to blow the remaining water out of the lines...except, I forgot to make sure someone/something was holding down the toilet flush pedal while blowing the air into the lines.
Unfortunately I guess I'm a slow learner...did this twice and replaced a valve TWICE after freezes.
I now know better.
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Oops.
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10-04-2017, 08:13 AM
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#20
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Kasual Kamper
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Fairfield County CT
Posts: 1,297
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Quote:
Originally Posted by otrtrucker
I live in Virginia, and have never had an issue by not using RV antifreeze. I just make sure the lines are empty. I do pour just enough -20° windshield washer fluid in the p-traps to get the water out of them.
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Pouring windshield washer fluid down the p-traps is never going to "get the water out of them". At best, it will lower the freezing point. If you want to get the water out of them, you could suck it out with a shop-vac.
In Virginia, you're probably in a more temperate climate than most, but the weather across the country has been crazy lately, so it's only a matter of time before you will experience a deep freeze some day.
__________________
Current: 2013 Flagstaff MicroLite 21DS
Past: 2000 Fleetwood Mallard 19N
TV: 2013 Nissan Pathfinder SL 4x4
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