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Old 01-07-2018, 05:58 PM   #1
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Trailer PDI in Freezing Temps? Water system faith?

How do you all navigate the PDI on trailers in freezing temps? I'm anticipating getting a trailer in the next few months and fully expect it to still be freezing. Thus, the trailer I buy will already be winterized and I want it to remain winterized. So, how do I verify that the water works, the water heater works, the shower works, the black water tank flush system works, and on and on?

Do you do the PDI, run water through the lines, and then re-winterize? If so, what if the temps at the time of pick-up are in the 15-20 F range?

Or, do you just assume the water system is good to go (faith) and check the other stuff as you're able?

Thanks.
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Old 01-07-2018, 06:06 PM   #2
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Have the dealer do the PDI in the heated service bay and re-winterize if needed. If they refuse, have them store it there until spring.
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Old 01-07-2018, 06:57 PM   #3
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We bought ours used. Once we had our pick up day set up the dealer called us and told us what day he was bringing it inside to do his pre inspection and gave us the chance to come down because of the distance we took his word for it that the plumbing was good. The up side was the weekend after we picked it up weather broke and we were out testing the plumbing out. But then again we had what I thought was a very good dealer the unit was bought new from them and traded into them. They also gave us the previous owners contact info. Our only issue we ended up having was i tested brake and parking lights separate only to find out later they were wired backwards parkingbto bright and brake and turn to dim
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Old 01-07-2018, 07:10 PM   #4
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Have the dealer do the PDI in the heated service bay and re-winterize if needed. If they refuse, have them store it there until spring.
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Old 01-07-2018, 07:11 PM   #5
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You could ask the dealer to do a pressure test of the plumbing system. This would also detect any leaks that you might not see during a PDI.
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Old 01-07-2018, 10:12 PM   #6
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We are picking up our new one Tuesday in VA and it’s been winterized. The weather is supposed to warm up some this week and I’ve asked they do the PDI in a bay and then we’ll go camp a couple nights to check everything out. If all is fine, we’ll winterize it before we head back home four hours from the dealer. They haven’t committed to doing it inside, but they know I want it all pressurized, heated and working. I guess I’ll find out Tuesday.
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Old 01-07-2018, 11:15 PM   #7
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Didn’t even have to ask the dealer it’s a standard part of their PDI to bring it into a heated bay with everything hooked up. They winterized when we were done. You better believe I turned on every faucet, checked water heater all appliances, etc.. There was absolutely no rush and the dealer had a person there answering questions every step of the way. Just my opinion but this is how it should be every time.
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Old 01-07-2018, 11:36 PM   #8
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Didn’t even have to ask the dealer it’s a standard part of their PDI to bring it into a heated bay with everything hooked up. They winterized when we were done. You better believe I turned on every faucet, checked water heater all appliances, etc.. There was absolutely no rush and the dealer had a person there answering questions every step of the way. Just my opinion but this is how it should be every time.
We got our trailer in October in Ohio - wasn't cold but the dealer did the PDI in the shop bay. Very good dealer.
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Old 01-08-2018, 08:42 AM   #9
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Didn’t even have to ask the dealer it’s a standard part of their PDI to bring it into a heated bay with everything hooked up. They winterized when we were done. You better believe I turned on every faucet, checked water heater all appliances, etc.. There was absolutely no rush and the dealer had a person there answering questions every step of the way. Just my opinion but this is how it should be every time.
Same here...on the day of pick up dealer had it inside, plugged in, and once we completed the pdi, then it was winterized.
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Old 01-08-2018, 12:00 PM   #10
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Thanks for the helpful responses. Appreciate the tips and the shared experiences of those who have actually had to do this.
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Old 01-08-2018, 03:36 PM   #11
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De-winterize

I paid $450 for a PDI on my new trailer and it was winter freezing temps. I made the dealer de-winterize the trailer so I could check the fresh water tank the Water heater for hot water and all of the taps as well as checking for leaks in the plumbing. It came from the factory already winterized. How would the dealer know if there was a problem or not. I would never pull a trailer or motor home off of a dealers Lot until everything was checked and repairs made to any problems found.
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Old 01-08-2018, 04:19 PM   #12
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Definitely have a PDI performed by the dealer. No matter that to do the PDI the unit needs to be dewinterized and then winterized again.

Once you get your unit, you'll want to do a test under camping conditions either in your driveway or close by CG. This will also test you and how familiar you are with your new unit and what you need to equip your unit. If it is still freezing then winterize your unit.

My final question is, why not wait until the weather improves and no longer freezing? Unless you have an eminite camping trip planned, let the dealer keep it until you need it. This will allow your warranty date to be delayed accordingly.

Good luck.
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Old 01-08-2018, 04:40 PM   #13
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we bought our camper in the winter as well. the dealer hooked up the water and we tested everything, except the a/c, and they re-winterized it while we were signing papers.
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Old 01-08-2018, 04:54 PM   #14
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Yes on the PDI.......................but all dealers do not have heated indoor bays.



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Old 01-08-2018, 06:02 PM   #15
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[...] My final question is, why not wait until the weather improves and no longer freezing? [...]
It's a good/fair question. I don't have any trips planned for a while, yet. My problem is window of opportunity combined with a non-local purchase. Feb-Apr are pretty busy months for me, so the time is now to purchase. Or, I could pay the $3,500 premium and buy local. No thanks.

I'd also rather have my trailer sit in Colorado instead of northern Indiana. Less rust and corrosion associated with our winters/cold than in the great lakes region.

Warranty doesn't concern me. It's 12 months, either way. And, in that 12 months, there will be 5 months of camping weather and 7 months of storage. There's no way around that fact. Doesn't really matter how the warranty period lays over the top of my camping year. I don't really care if the first 5 months of ownership coincide with the first 5 months of camping season ... or if it's in storage. Either way, I'll be using it for 5 months during the active warranty period. It's of no consequence to me if those 5 months of usage are in months 5-9 of the warranty period.

Thanks again for the comments.
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Old 01-08-2018, 11:35 PM   #16
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It's a good/fair question. I don't have any trips planned for a while, yet. My problem is window of opportunity combined with a non-local purchase. Feb-Apr are pretty busy months for me, so the time is now to purchase. Or, I could pay the $3,500 premium and buy local. No thanks.

I'd also rather have my trailer sit in Colorado instead of northern Indiana. Less rust and corrosion associated with our winters/cold than in the great lakes region.

Warranty doesn't concern me. It's 12 months, either way. And, in that 12 months, there will be 5 months of camping weather and 7 months of storage. There's no way around that fact. Doesn't really matter how the warranty period lays over the top of my camping year. I don't really care if the first 5 months of ownership coincide with the first 5 months of camping season ... or if it's in storage. Either way, I'll be using it for 5 months during the active warranty period. It's of no consequence to me if those 5 months of usage are in months 5-9 of the warranty period.

Thanks again for the comments.
I find it difficult to believe that sitting on an RV dealers lot in the "great lakes region" is really that different than sitting in Colorado. Mine's been sitting in a storage lot every winter for 3 years and it's certainly not rusting away.

But whatever rationale you need, go for it.
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Old 01-08-2018, 11:46 PM   #17
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Thanks for the permission to use my own rationale. Appreciated.

Go ahead and read the first paragraph. My options are get it now or pay an extra $3,500 and buy local. You probably have reasons why that's a stupid choice for me, too ... which is why I do appreciate you closing with allowing me to use my own criteria.

Cheers!
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Old 01-08-2018, 11:52 PM   #18
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Thanks for the permission to use my own rationale. Appreciated.

Go ahead and read the first paragraph. My options are get it now or pay an extra $3,500 and buy local. You probably have reasons why that's a stupid choice for me, too ... which is why I do appreciate you closing with allowing me to use my own criteria.

Cheers!
I was only commenting on ONE of your criteria, the one that seems to make little sense IMHO. Your others make a lot more sense, IMHO. So if I had not "allowed" you to use any rationale you like, someone else would have dumped on me for saying anything at all. Lots of thin skins out there.
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Old 01-09-2018, 08:42 AM   #19
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If it gets salt on it from the transport home, get under there in your bathing suit with a tooth brush and clean every square inch. Their paint is so horrible on the frames you'll be battling frame rust forever. Ask me how I know.
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Old 01-09-2018, 09:39 AM   #20
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That's a good point. I won't fool myself into believing I have the dedication for a hands-on wash, but that's no doubt a good idea. I will, however, take it to a pressure-washing station to try to rinse/clean the under carriage of any salt.

I'll let you all know how it goes when I pick up the trailer and go through the PDI. Hopefully, it all goes well and I'm in a heated bay, as opposed to freezing my butt off in the 15 F degree weather.
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