Winterizing questions

[dcarterjr]

I'm new this year with an RV, and am trying unsuccessfully to winterize. Questions below.

I can not get the pump to run, although it ran the last time I had it out a couple weeks ago. The trailer is in storage. I've drained the hot water tank and the 2 bottom drains. I've opened all of the faucets and put AF down all of the drains.
I've added 3 gallons of AF to the fresh water tank.
is the pump 12 V or 120V? I've tried both.
Do I need to add more AF to get it to a certain level for the pump to run?
Does the trailer need to be level for the pump to run?
Anything I'm not thinking of?

Also, I do not see a hot water bypass, so not sure how to flush the hot water lines once I get the pump to work.

Thanks in advance.

[Skip12]

The pump will run dry and you'll hear it. If you don't hear it, that's where you need to start. It's 12v. Get a multimeter to determine if it's getting electricity to it. Maybe your battery is low or bypassed.

You're much better off getting a witerization kit Iike this than using the fresh water tank. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006JJ588...QEDSH4JQSKEJ7J

It's simpler and you'll spend a lot of time getting all the antifreeze out of your fresh water tank.

Hot water bypass is generally right behind the water heater. You'll need to find an access panel to get to it.

Start with the faucets closed and open on at a time. Furthest from the pump to nearest. If you leave them all open, you'll run out of antifreeze very quickly and you won't be sure that all time lines are clear of water.

Hope that helps.

[mac1_131]

The pump will run on air you should hear it. You sure your batteries aren't already disconnected or the battery switch turned off?

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by dcarterjr

I'm new this year with an RV, and am trying unsuccessfully to winterize. Questions below.

I can not get the pump to run, although it ran the last time I had it out a couple weeks ago. The trailer is in storage. I've drained the hot water tank and the 2 bottom drains. I've opened all of the faucets and put AF down all of the drains.
I've added 3 gallons of AF to the fresh water tank.
is the pump 12 V or 120V? I've tried both.
Do I need to add more AF to get it to a certain level for the pump to run?
Does the trailer need to be level for the pump to run?
Anything I'm not thinking of?

Also, I do not see a hot water bypass, so not sure how to flush the hot water lines once I get the pump to work.

Thanks in advance.

It’s always a good idea to post the year, make, model of your unit (better to add it to your signature so it’s on every post). Most people won’t recommend putting antifreeze in a fresh water tank. Unit info might help us guess if you have an antifreeze suction kit and we could tell you how to use it.

[Herk7769]

In order to suck antifreeze (or water if you boondock) you need to open a faucet to create a demand on the output side.

It will not create the vacuum needed to suck antifreeze (or water from the fresh water tank) if there is a closed system on the other side that is trying to be pressurized.

[dcarterjr]

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I'll let you know how it goes.

[WFD]

It's likely going to require a lot more than 3 gallons in order for the pump to be able to draw from the fresh water tank. That's one reason why majority of people don't do it that way. Plus you will need to flush that tank like crazy now when you dewinterize to get all that RV antifreeze residue out of your fresh tank.

[jeff64]

Originally Posted by dcarterjr

I'm new this year with an RV, and am trying unsuccessfully to winterize. Questions below.



I can not get the pump to run, although it ran the last time I had it out a couple weeks ago. The trailer is in storage. I've drained the hot water tank and the 2 bottom drains. I've opened all of the faucets and put AF down all of the drains.

I've added 3 gallons of AF to the fresh water tank.

is the pump 12 V or 120V? I've tried both.

Do I need to add more AF to get it to a certain level for the pump to run?

Does the trailer need to be level for the pump to run?

Anything I'm not thinking of?



Also, I do not see a hot water bypass, so not sure how to flush the hot water lines once I get the pump to work.



Thanks in advance.

Your biggest problem is that you put the AF in the fresh water tank. Should either be a af inlet port outside or you would have a plastic hose at the inlet side of the water pump coupled with a selector valve to accommodate drawing AF into the system

[dcarterjr]

I want to thank everyone for your suggestions and feedback. I removed the wood covers under the sink, and there was the hot water bypass and the fresh water bypass along with a syphon hose for adding anti-freeze. The power cable was loose on the pump. Now I just have to work on getting the A/F out of the tank. I should have asked before I started, but I had generic instructions given to me by the place where I purchased it. Why don't these things come with an owner's manual? I know Forest River has generic manuals on-line, but I couldn't find anything about winterizing. Anyway, thanks again.

[tomkatb]

We carry an air compressor for tires.

Have experimented with using air and antifreeze and just antifreeze to winterize. We normally have to winterize more than once a year. Christmas trip! Spring break.

It is easier to use air and antifreeze. Half gallon of antifreeze.

Cleaning up the water tank is easy. Open the drain. Close and add tank sanitizer. Fill it up to sanitize the system which should be done yearly. Follow instructions and drain the tank. No big deal.