Dewinterizing Going to dewinterize.

[Grey9712]

Do you all dewinterize at a campground on the first trip or at home?

[bikendan]

my goodness, at home, not at a campground!
you need to have everything flushed out and sanitized before you leave.

plus, what if something was done wrong or you need tech assistance.
many people have the dealer winterize and have no clue how to unwinterize. so they end up not have any hot water and sure enough, they had the bypass valve in the wrong position.
can't even count how many posts we've had here, with that situation.

[Triguy]

Originally Posted by Grey9712

Do you all dewinterize at a campground on the first trip or at home?

I agree with Dan to do the first EVER dewinterizing (summarize?) at home if this is the first time with this trailer. Especially if its your first time ever with any trailer.

This is a topic that comes up frequently with campers new to RVing. It happens even to those of us who know how to do it. This year, I found two leaks (one with the o-ring on my filter and one at the outdoor shower) and I might have had some challenges fixing that at a remote CG. Its not the end of the world if it happens though and you just deal with it.

But, if you have done this before, know what you are doing, were the one to winterize in the first place and are just asking if its convenient to flush at a dump station than go ahead and do that. I've done that before, too.

Hope this helps you.

Happy camping.

[rattleNsmoke]

Always de-winterize at home. There seems to be at least some springtime maintenance needed after the long winter's nap. The first trip out is usually the 'shakedown' cruise to make sure all works as intended. Enjoy! It ends up being second nature and a ritual that gets easier with each new season.

[Herk7769]

My tips:

At Home - At least the first time for all the reasons stated.

MAKE SURE - BLACK OUTSIDE ELECTRIC SWITCH ON THE WATER HEATER IS OFF BEFORE YOU PLUG INTO POWER. (see photos for location)

LEAVE the water heater winterizing valve(s) in "winterize"

Remove and inspect Anode - If properly winterized, water heater is EMPTY.
If anode is good (see graphic and photo) re-install with Teflon tape or Teflon pipe dope.

My "dewinterizing" order:

1) Bucket under low point drains.

2) Open Low point drains.

3) Open all Faucets; including outside and inside shower

4) Hold toilet flush valve open for about 30 seconds.

5) When all RV antifreeze (Pink) has drained out; CLOSE all Faucets; PUT CAPS BACK ON LOW POINT DRAINS.

6) OPEN fresh water drain cock and drain out any old water in the fresh tank.

7) Close fresh water drain cock.

8) Pour 3/4 cup of Bleach (1/4 cup per 15 gallons of tank capacity) using a funnel into the (turned off) water hose and put a (closed) nozzle or shutoff valve on the end. (OLD CLOTHES, RUBBER GLOVES, GOGGLES!)

9) Connect or place the end of the hose into the fresh water fill port and turn on water. OPEN the nozzle or shutoff valve and make sure all water gets into tank as the first blast will be all bleach. FILL the fresh water tank.

10) CLOSE the shutoff valve and connect hose to city water port ("burp" the shutoff valve for one second to flush out city water check valve; then TURN OFF AND REMOVE).

11) Turn on Fresh Water pump and make sure it shuts off (should only take 2 minutes unless you have a water or air leak; or your water heater bypass valves are set wrong). If you have a leak, shut off pump and look for water in the strainer bowl. If the bowl is empty you have a loose fitting in the suction line; if full you have something open.

12) When pump shuts off, go to farthest faucet from pump and open the hot and cold water valves (individually) until you smell strong chlorine in the water. Turn off and repeat until all faucets and inside and outside shower heads have been done.

13) Place water heater valves in "NORMAL" (pump might come on) and go outside and open the pressure relief valve by opening the lever (see photo).

14) When water streams out and you smell chlorine; snap valve closed and make sure there is no leakage from valve or anode.

15) Let stand a MINIMUM of 24 hours; DO NOT rush this part.

16) Place the water heater bypass valves in winter bypass AGAIN. This should prevent anode and calcium bits from being sucked into the plumbing.

16) Open Low point drains and the fresh water tank stop cock and drain the tanks. INSTALL NEW WATER FILTER.

STEPS 17 - 20 are only required if you drink the water in your fresh water tanks and don't like the taste of chlorine.

17) Dissolve 4 heaping tablespoons of baking soda in 1 cup hot water.

18) Turn off water hose; open the shutoff valve; pour the baking soda water into the hose and close the shutoff valve.

19) When tanks and plumbing are empty (except for the water heater), close the low point drains and the fresh water tank stop cock.

20) Fill the fresh water tank to the top with the baking soda and water. Turn on the pump; place the water heater valve(s) to NORMAL and open the taps and the low point drains until all the chlorine smelly water is gone.

21) Shut off pump. Cap Low point drains.

22) Fill plumbing and hot water tank with chlorinated "house" fresh water from hose using the city water connection and add about 5 gallons of city water to fresh water tank. Turn on pump, open the pressure relief valve on the water heater to make sure the water heater is full.

READY for camping!

[gt40]

WOW this is great info. Great Forum everyone. Thanks a lot.