Winterizing How much antifreeze

[Bryan2503S]

Hi,

How much RV antifreeze will I need to winterize my camper? Anything else do people usually need to purchase to winterize there camper? Getting ready to make an order and trying to get everything I need for winter.

[Triguy]

I buy two gallons of the pink stuff.

I also buy damprid to place in the trailer to help mitigate the effects of moisture.

There's a bunch of good reading here on winterizing.

[Ford Idaho]

I have the built in winterizing kit.
I was told 2-3 gallons is what I should need.
Be sure to close the water heater bypass valve.
I plan on putting in some dehumidifying crystals in the bedroom and on the kitchen counter.
Then under the trailer I will stuff the holes with steel wool to keep out any fur bearing squatters.

I will also get the tires off the ground.

[rschoono289]

You need about 2 gals of antifreeze. Not sure if the 2503S comes with connection to antifreeze. In my case made hose to connect between pump inlet and the antifreeze jug. You don't want to fill the water filter canister with antifreeze so bypass it or use sealed pop bottle inside of canister. If you decide to purge lines with air you require adapter from water inlet to air line (not expensive). btw, I love the layout of the 2503S but need larger TV to pull one . sigh

[Bryan2503S]

Originally Posted by Triguy

There's a bunch of good reading here on winterizing.

The FAQ page, duh, I kept searching in Gen Tech wondering where all the stickys where. Thanks!

[rotorhead1250]

Mine only uses 1 gal. When all the faucets are purged and anti-freeze runs out, I’m done. I then pull the plugs on the low level drains and remove the anode from the heater. I also ensure fresh tank is empty by pulling that plug too.

[cpaulsen]

I use approx. 1 gallon....just enough to put in the sink traps and toilet.

[Oakman]

Originally Posted by Triguy

I buy two gallons of the pink stuff.

I also buy damprid to place in the trailer to help mitigate the effects of moisture.

There's a bunch of good reading here on winterizing.

I'll have to try Damprid this year, that's a great idea for winterizing.

I use about three gallons of the pink stuff in the Silverback.

[2Macs]

I quit using anti-freeze in my water lines years ago. I put an air pressure plug from Camco in my city water connection and attach a air line from my compressor set to 40 lbs. Then, I go through and open faucets until all I get is air. After making sure all water is out of the lines, I open my low water point drains until only air comes through. Finally, I dump the holding tanks. The only place I use anti-freeze is the drain traps. A gallon of anti-freeze lasts me about three years. I have never had a problem with leaks prepping in the spring and it makes sanitizing the water system much easier.

[Crusader]

Originally Posted by 2Macs

I quit using anti-freeze in my water lines years ago. I put an air pressure plug from Camco in my city water connection and attach a air line from my compressor set to 40 lbs. Then, I go through and open faucets until all I get is air. After making sure all water is out of the lines, I open my low water point drains until only air comes through. Finally, I dump the holding tanks. The only place I use anti-freeze is the drain traps. A gallon of anti-freeze lasts me about three years. I have never had a problem with leaks prepping in the spring and it makes sanitizing the water system much easier.

2X ....... I do the same as above. I think its safer this way. No liquid in the lines at all.

[camper1999]

I first purge the lines with air then use around 3 gallons. I also make sure I get anti freeze into the black flush and water tank lines and all the sink/shower traps. I also make sure anti freeze gets into the kitchen sink sprayer if you have one. I also use damp rid. If your unsure use extra anti freeze it is cheap compared to the pain/expense of a plumping repair.

[Rrickim63]

X10

[latner]

Originally Posted by 2Macs

I quit using anti-freeze in my water lines years ago. I put an air pressure plug from Camco in my city water connection and attach a air line from my compressor set to 40 lbs. Then, I go through and open faucets until all I get is air. After making sure all water is out of the lines, I open my low water point drains until only air comes through. Finally, I dump the holding tanks. The only place I use anti-freeze is the drain traps. A gallon of anti-freeze lasts me about three years. I have never had a problem with leaks prepping in the spring and it makes sanitizing the water system much easier.

X3

[Bryan2503S]

When you guys refer to low drains. Do u mean the hot and cold water lines outside that kind of hang down near the tires back by the water pump?

[Acableguy06]

I buy 2 gal., I can get the plumbing done with 1 Gal. but do not feel the traps have enough, so with the other gallon; 2 sinks and tub gets a bit and the rest down the head in hopes to get some antifreeze around the drain valve to keep the little water that is there from freezing.
As others have said don't forget to switch the bypass valves on the hot water tank. If you don't close the valve its a waste of antifreeze.

I blow all the lines out with air to the best of my ability thru the city water connection, this gets the water out of the city water line and check valve, but this leaves some water in my pump and lines between the pump and city water. So I still run antifreeze thru the lines after. This also gets any water droplets out of the valves in the faucets and toilet valves. A small bit of water in one of those valves can mess them up.

[cheatham09]

I think it all depends where you live and how you use the camper, live in North Carolina here. Leave heat on at 40. But we camp on weekends in the winter months.

[PHS79]

Last winter I decided to use air to blow out the lines with air, I had the problem that even after letting air blow through the cold water side of the kitchen faucet for more than 10mins (50psi and opening closing the faucet numerous times) I still could hear "gurgling" in the line. Since I could hear the gurgling I knew there must be water in the in the line yet, and since we live in Wisconsin and can get temps as cold as -30 and wind chills down to -50, I ended up using the good old pink antifreeze to make sure that I had it done right. I use 2 gallons to do our Grey Wolf, its about 1.25 to do the lines and the rest goes down the drains and the toilet.

When I put the camper in the shed of the winter I park it on 2x10s to keep the tires off the concrete, I also place dryer sheets all over inside the camper and also stuff them around all the tanks.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by PHS79

Last winter I decided to use air to blow out the lines with air, I had the problem that even after letting air blow through the cold water side of the kitchen faucet for more than 10mins (50psi and opening closing the faucet numerous times) I still could hear "gurgling" in the line. Since I could hear the gurgling I knew there must be water in the in the line yet, and since we live in Wisconsin and can get temps as cold as -30 and wind chills down to -50, I ended up using the good old pink antifreeze to make sure that I had it done right. I use 2 gallons to do our Grey Wolf, its about 1.25 to do the lines and the rest goes down the drains and the toilet.

When I put the camper in the shed of the winter I park it on 2x10s to keep the tires off the concrete, I also place dryer sheets all over inside the camper and also stuff them around all the tanks.

Blowing water uphill?

Gonna do this as well.

How to Use Moth Balls as Spider Repellents | eHow

Put one inside the outside cover for my hot water tank.

[DAISY BOYKIN]

I use one fifth of JD! That will just about get the job done!