Winterizing question

[GreenHorn Hauler]

Hello everyone, brrrr it’s getting cold out in Missouri. I had a quick winterizing question.

This is the first time winterizing our new/used camper. Our last camper did not have a bypass winterizing kit like our current camper does. My question is this.

I winterized my entire camper using the bypass kit and boy was it great. My one question is I poured several gallons of antifreeze in the fresh water tank and turned the pump on, but the system wouldn’t pressurize (pump would just keep running and wouldn’t turn off). I assume because there’s wasn’t enough antifreeze in the 40 gallon fresh tank to pull through the system although there’s was already antifreeze in my lines from winterizing through the bypass kit.

My only concern is if there is antifreeze in the line between my fresh water tank and pump. I’m probably being paranoid, but wanted to check with you all as this is my first time using a bypass kit for winterization. Thanks in advance for the comments!!!

[CHICKDOE]

you raise a point about that hose. the general advice is to not pour antifreeze into the fresh water tank. but you have. did you change the winterizing bypass valve back to the normal position when you tried to pump it from the tank?

[TheWolfPaq82]

Depending on how the FW tank is set up, you may have to put 6-8 gals of AF into the tank before it ever reaches the intake for the pump. That is why it is "Repeatedly" recommended...NOT ! to put AF into the FW tank. I can drain my FW with the pump and when I open the drain underneath, I'll still get about 3-4 gals of water out of it.

[A32Deuce]

I tilt my RV to that side to drain the tank and still can't totally empty it. The out hose is about an inch up from the bottom.

[GreenHorn Hauler]

Originally Posted by CHICKDOE

you raise a point about that hose. the general advice is to not pour antifreeze into the fresh water tank. but you have. did you change the winterizing bypass valve back to the normal position when you tried to pump it from the tank?

I did, do you know why general advice cautions against putting antifreeze in the fresh tank? Note: we sanitize thoroughly and do not drink from our Camper’s water.

[GreenHorn Hauler]

Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82

Depending on how the FW tank is set up, you may have to put 6-8 gals of AF into the tank before it ever reaches the intake for the pump. That is why it is "Repeatedly" recommended...NOT ! to put AF into the FW tank. I can drain my FW with the pump and when I open the drain underneath, I'll still get about 3-4 gals of water out of it.

Then how do you protect the FW tank and lines from damage if you don’t put AF in there?

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by GreenHorn Hauler

Then how do you protect the FW tank and lines from damage if you don’t put AF in there?

I just drain the FW tank from the valve on the bottom. The intake line for my pump from the tank connects right at the valve. I disconnect the intake line from the tank, I attach a hose I made that fits the intake line and then goes to a bucket with 3-gals of AF in it. Turn on pump, hit all the faucets inside and out....done. Have a pic somewhere and I'll post it.

[GCDoubleD]

To make things simple, I think I’m going to buy an air adapter and blow air in the city water and black flush ports. This “should” take care of these connections correct?

The fresh water tank fill tube connection, maybe just blow it out with air too? Like it’s been stated, I definitely don’t want to put antifreeze in FW tank.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by GreenHorn Hauler

Then how do you protect the FW tank and lines from damage if you don’t put AF in there?

Something I use to do on our old Jayco that had a "Kit" installed. After I was done with the AF, the valve between the tank and the pump, I'd open it just a little and I'd let the AF that was still in hose I put in the jug run back thru the line to the tank. It would push any water out and I had maybe a couple teaspoons of AF in the tank. All that would wash out in the spring.