Newbie opening seasonal for first time

[kevmo52]

After reading this forum for six months and watching countless You Tube videos it is almost time to open our 2014 Cherokee 304BH that we bought the last day the campground was open.Had it winterized by a local dealer on site and it will not move.Correct me if these procedures are out of order--1-Connect to shore power,2-Hook up sewer hose(It's under one of the sliders which are in for the winter).3-Clean out water heater and install new anode rod,4-Hook up city water with regulator and filter and 90 degree elbow on trailer,5-Check water heater to make sure it's filled by opening safety valve,6-Turn on propane and check for leaks,7-Is it time for a beer yet? Anything I'm missing?

[youroo]

DON"T hook up "Elect Power" until you verify the Water Heater is "OFF" power wise and the Bypass Valves are in the Correct position! Also check that the Battery is Charged and has Fluid! After you replace the A-rod fill with water and hook up Elect! Youroo!!

[Kaadk]

As Youroo said, don’t hook up power without making sure the electric is off first. If it gets power with no water then the electric element burns out instantly. Also, you probably only need to check the anode rod, not necessary to replace until it’s down below 25%. The first TT we had I used the same rod for 5 years and it still had at least a season or two of wear left when I traded it in. Harder water will burn through them quicker, but it’d have to be pretty hard to blow through an anode per year.

Also, you’ll want to review the FAQ section on winterizing:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/forums/f225/

There’s a sticky thread at the top with a dewinterization step by step guide that covers how to clear out the antifreeze, prep the water heater, sanitize, etc...

[cavie]

Originally Posted by kevmo52

After reading this forum for six months and watching countless You Tube videos it is almost time to open our 2014 Cherokee 304BH that we bought the last day the campground was open.Had it winterized by a local dealer on site and it will not move.Correct me if these procedures are out of order--1-Connect to shore power,2-Hook up sewer hose(It's under one of the sliders which are in for the winter).3-Clean out water heater and install new anode rod,4-Hook up city water with regulator and filter and 90 degree elbow on trailer,5-Check water heater to make sure it's filled by opening safety valve,6-Turn on propane and check for leaks,7-Is it time for a beer yet? Anything I'm missing?

Find your low point drains and open them to drain the antifreeze. open your faucets to allow air in the system to help drain. Do not open the water heater until you have done this. Close the faucets once all is drained and low point drains. Hook up the water hose. turn on the water. go inside and open all faucets one at a time until all pink water is gone. Flush toilet. Don't forget the shower hose. Now go to the water heater and switch the by-pass valves. Open the safety valve and fill the WH. Now it's time for a beer

[Black]

Thoroughly rinse your water lines with fresh water to remove antifreeze.
Then sanitize them with water and bleach solution via fresh water tank and pump, let sit overnight and rince again.
now fill up hot water heater and your good to go.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Suggest you connect a surge protector ( or the fancier Electric Power Management system ) to your power supply, then plug in the electric cord.

Ours has protected our rig from reverse polarity or ungrounded plugs on more than one occasion.

[DouglasReid]

ALL the above are excellent suggestions and things you should do.

Just one suggestion, when you remove the Anode Rod inspect it (assuming you have a Suburban WH, Atwood units do not have and do not need an Anode Rod). It is a sacrificial material designed to be consumed in use.

You will be able to see how large in diameter it was when it was new (about 1/2"). If more than 1/2 of it is remaining, no need to replace it. Let it work for another season. Would you toss out a 1/2 full bottle of liquor because it sat over the winter? Neither would I!