Another problem discovered with our 310rs

[TheEdge]

We've had a slight drip from our hot water drain hose under the Columbus.
Started to take the cap off and discovered the hose is under pressure and the position of the bypass lever in the water compartment makes no difference.

I'm baffled about what kind of plumbing mistake this one is. With winter approaching I sure don't want water in that tube freezing and bursting the drain hose.

The only way to depressurize the hot water drain hose is to turn off the city water hose.

[dimurrrw]

Good news. The trailer is fine, wrong f-stop! The drains, which are properly called low point drains, are to remove water from the water lines. To drain the lines you must first turn off the water supply, including the water pump. (Otherwise it is like trying to drain a hose with the water running!) Open your faucets to relieve trapped pressure in the system and to allow air to enter the line(s) as the water drains. Remove cap.

I think you are speaking of a water heater bypass system when you mention a bypass lever. If so, this causes the water supply to the water heater to bypass (go around instead of through) the water heater. This allows the water heater to be drained (separate procedure) so that the water system can be winterized (another separate procedure) without having to fill the water heater with 6-10 gallons of antifreeze. Note that the water in the hot water line remains under pressure as long as there is an active water supply.

I bypass, and kill all power to the water heater, before draining the lines or the heater.

[Oakman]

A word of caution. Always be sure the water in the water heater is cool or cold before draining it otherwise you run the risk of scalding yourself. When winterizing I turn off the water heater and then open a hot water faucet in the trailer so that cold water replaces the hot in the tank. Then you can turn your water off and relieve the pressure in the water heater by lifting up on the pressure relief valve on the heater before draining.

BTW, if you try to remove the anode rod on a pressurized water tank you will quickly discover the basic principle of thrust.

[TheEdge]

You can tell I'm a total newby. I put teflon tape on the hose cap and that should stop the dripping. Now I need to think about freezing in winter.

Thanks for the education, this forum is a fantastic resource for us beginners because of the wonderful members.

[dimurrrw]

Glad we could help. Search for information on "winterizing". Stop worrying about freezing in the winter. The basic idea is that you bypass and drain the water heater. Then you drain the water lines, and pump in nontoxic RV antifreeze. You also drain the fresh water tank, and dump and rinse the holding tanks. It really helps to do these things before the first hard freeze in your area. Problem solved! No water, no freezie.

[Wiscampsin]

Originally Posted by Oakman

BTW, if you try to remove the anode rod on a pressurized water tank you will quickly discover the basic principle of thrust.

Been there, done that, some lessons are learned the hard way.

[TheEdge]

You are going to think we are crazy, but not only are we newby's but we are also full-timers. I will need to think about those exposed tubes this winter.
I have some ideas but if anyone else has solutions they like lay it on me.

Thanks

[ritzyteach]

My solution is to move where it doesn't freeze...at least not a hard freeze! We are in CA, AZ, very southern TX in the winter...solves the water pipe issues!

[TheEdge]

That's a great solution, but work keeps me in cooler climates at least for this winter. But love your method.

[ritzyteach]

sorry I couldn't be more help with the winterizing issue

[joelek]

You might want to pay someone to do it the first time AND teach you what they are doing. After that, do it yourself. The school of hard knocks is great but the tuition is dang high. If you are in an RV park in the snow belt, lots of people there will be winterizing their own unit. Offer them a case of beer, bottle of whisky, or cash to teach you how to do it on your own rig. People tend to love showing others what they know. This forum is an example of that.

Go into craigslist, then services. Type in RV. You may find guys out there that are mobile techs and will come out to you to fix your RV. Many of them are dealer techs and moonlight for extra money.