First time winterizing.

[Nodnerb]

Hi All.

I went and winterized our new to us trailer for the first time by myself. Last year when we bought it, the previous owner graciously helped me winterize since we are new to travel trailers all together.



Anyway, 95% or more sure I did the water system winterizing properly with maybe one exception. I failed to leave a tap or two open. I've seen this mentioned before but not always.



So my question is, does it matter if a tap is left open over the winter to allow for any expansion? Or is that not a real concern? Just don't want to drive all the way back if it's a non issue, but I certainly will if it means preventing any issues.



Thanks!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Nodnerb

Hi All.

I went and winterized our new to us trailer for the first time by myself. Last year when we bought it, the previous owner graciously helped me winterize since we are new to travel trailers all together.



Anyway, 95% or more sure I did the water system winterizing properly with maybe one exception. I failed to leave a tap or two open. I've seen this mentioned before but not always.



So my question is, does it matter if a tap is left open over the winter to allow for any expansion? Or is that not a real concern? Just don't want to drive all the way back if it's a non issue, but I certainly will if it means preventing any issues.



Thanks!

If you got all the water out and/or pumped antifreeze into the system, there is no need to leave a tap/faucet open.

Air will not expand enough (from changes in ambient temperatures) to break anything if the system is truly empty and antifreeze won't either. Water will.

[Nodnerb]

Ok, thanks for the reply and re-assurance. In all logic, I felt the same way but I appreciate the advice of someone with experience instead of just my theoretical logic. lol


Pretty confident it's good then. Drained system and filled with the pink stuff. I'm in Canada though where we can get to -40C at times so needed to be sure.



Thanks!! Love this site! Someone almost always here to help out right away.

[kenandterry]

Here’s the link. You might even want to print a copy to keep on board.

Step By Step RV Winterizing Checklist - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

By the way.....where in Canada?

[Nodnerb]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

Here’s the link. You might even want to print a copy to keep on board.

Step By Step RV Winterizing Checklist - RV Information (RV Maintenance)

By the way.....where in Canada?

Thanks!


Balmy Winnipeg summers, frigid Winnipeg winters. Similar to you I'd imagine. Never mind, just checked. You have decent winters!

[Seasonal]

I use the slightly more expensive -70 degree pink stuff and not the -50 degree pink stuff. Blow the trailer out first with my compressor, then add the pink stuff. Coldest we see is -20. Question is, am I wasting $5 total on the more expensive RV antifreeze? When selecting antifreeze, I always think of dilution and it's $5 of cheap peace of mind on very cold winter nights when your mind ponders the quality of your winterization.

Bruce

[Boomerweps]

It depends on your methods of winterizing. I leave my taps shut after flowing RV AntiFreeze through the line to trap the AntiFreeze. If I were to blow out the system with air and not add AntiFreeze, then I would leave all the taps open to allow for any trapped water. Just my opinion.