Winterizing gray and black tanks

[Bilcin]

Almost done camping for the seaon. First time winterizing my TT. Is winterizing the gray and black tanks as easy as flushing them out and then filling them with a few gallons of water and add antifreeze?

Thanks,

Bill

[lindy]

Just flush them out and leave them dry. Just make sure they are drained dry, no need for any anit-freeze in the grey or black tanks.

[donn]

Actually no need for antifreeze in any of the tanks, including the water heater. Antifreeze is designed to prevent the water lines from freezing in case there is some residual water left in them. Using an air compressor set at about 10PSI pressurize the lines and turn on the faucets one at a time until there is no more water coming out. Take the drain plug out of the water heater tank. Be sure the winterize valves are set correctly and fill the system using the water pump. Done deal.

[dimurrrw]

I suggest you get one of these for flushing your tank. It makes filling the black tank prior to flushing it very easy. Just open the toilet and drop this in the hole. Gently release toilet flush lever and this will remain in place, water will run and tank will fill. When about full, go outside and open the sewer connection to drain the tank. Repeat several times.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by dimurrrw

I suggest you get one of these for flushing your tank. It makes filling the black tank prior to flushing it very easy. Just open the toilet and drop this in the hole. Gently release toilet flush lever and this will remain in place, water will run and tank will fill. When about full, go outside and open the sewer connection to drain the tank. Repeat several times.

Now, ain't that the neatest item. When using my spray wand, I usually end up taking off my right shoe and opening the valve with my toes. Many times I have wished for a foot control flush valve. This should solve the problem.

[dimurrrw]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

Now, ain't that the neatest item. When using my spray wand, I usually end up taking off my right shoe and opening the valve with my toes. Many times I have wished for a foot control flush valve. This should solve the problem.

These have been around since day one. Surprised you haven't seen them before. Proof of the old adage about "Give a lazy man a hard job..."

[Bilcin]

Hey, to all those who replied, Thanks for the information and tips!

[Willis]

Originally Posted by Bilcin

Almost done camping for the seaon. First time winterizing my TT. Is winterizing the gray and black tanks as easy as flushing them out and then filling them with a few gallons of water and add antifreeze?

Thanks,

Bill

Personally, after flushing the black and grey tanks for the season and closing them, I add a gallon of antifreeze to the black tank (the grey tank will get enough antifreeze in it just from filling the lines and traps). I don't think there is any way to know for sure that the tanks are completely dry and I don't want any residual water sitting against the valve areas to freeze. A gallon of antifreeze is cheap insurance.

[MtnGuy]

I think 1 important last step is to drain the lines to both the black and gray tank. If any water is left in the lines at the valves, that has more potential to do damage than a little water left in the very bottom of the tanks.

[j2detroit]

i have our camper at a perm site we just drain rince with my wirly wand refill and drain a couple times and just lert them drain leaving what ever anti freeze gets in them and leave both valves open for the winter i change the water heater valve over to isolate it from the rest of the system pull the anode rod out and let it drain i put a small peice of screen over the opening and leve it open for the seasond an rv tech told me to do it this way works great

[tentcamper1]

Originally Posted by Willis

Personally, after flushing the black and grey tanks for the season and closing them, I add a gallon of antifreeze to the black tank (the grey tank will get enough antifreeze in it just from filling the lines and traps). I don't think there is any way to know for sure that the tanks are completely dry and I don't want any residual water sitting against the valve areas to freeze. A gallon of antifreeze is cheap insurance.

x2-

[revrnd]

Originally Posted by Willis

Personally, after flushing the black and grey tanks for the season and closing them, I add a gallon of antifreeze to the black tank (the grey tank will get enough antifreeze in it just from filling the lines and traps). I don't think there is any way to know for sure that the tanks are completely dry and I don't want any residual water sitting against the valve areas to freeze. A gallon of antifreeze is cheap insurance.

X3

That's the same procedure that I've been following w/ no issues up here in Ontario.

[bobsquarepants]

After pulling the anode rod and drain the water heater I use a wet and dry vac to pull out the remaining water...you would be surprised how much gets left behind.

[trudinator]

I flushed out our gray and black water tanks yesterday before winterizing. We're using the blow-out method. I couldn't believe how much "gunk" (I won't go into nasty details) was still left in the tanks. I rinsed and dumped them three times to make sure they were both clean as a whistle. Should I leave the dump valves open during winter? DH drained the water heater and apparently didn't read the info about the residual pressure....he came away totally soaked!

[F and E Damp]

The temperature at which water with "stuff" in it will freeze declines as a function of the percentage of "stuff". Your black tank contents probably wouldn't freeze until about 24 degrees, but why would you leave that stuff in there? Grey tank would probalby be OK down to about 28 degrees, but again, why would you leave stuff in there?

If both tanks are at relatively low content levels (say less than a quarter full) there's enough air space for them to freeze without doing any damage.