Compressor to Winterize Pop up

Tiguan Tow r · 08-25-2016, 04:40 PM

We have a 2011 Rockwood Freedom 1940 we bought used this summer. It has city water in, a water storage tank and a grey water drain.

We want to winterize the trailer end of September. Is a small 3 gal. compressor (Delivers 0.6 CFM at 40 PSI and 0.4 CFM at 90 PSI) enough to blow out the water lines? We will be putting non toxic anti-freeze in the drain after blowing it out.

Thanks for your input.

SeaDog · 08-25-2016, 04:52 PM

If you are going to use air to winterize your rig it doesn't take allot of air pressure, the key is to blow the lines with the faucets open and then leave all the faucets open. Drain your gray tank and then add enough pink antifreeze back to it so that there is antifreeze against the blade of the dump valve. drain your portable water tank also. One other thing make sure you drain your pump, blowing air thru the city water connection will not blow the water out of the pump.

Teamfour · 08-25-2016, 05:49 PM

Use a good bicycle air pump, it will provide plenty of pressure for the small water lines.

gspot01 · 08-25-2016, 07:14 PM

Whatever you do, I'd use an oil-less compressor. Don't want that getting in your water lines.

Sent from my SM-T320 using Tapatalk

raspivey · 08-25-2016, 07:30 PM

I use 20 PSI on mine. Something you may want to consider is getting a winterizing kit off of amazon or similar. When I had my popup, I installed one. It's basically a three way brass valve that screws onto the suction side of the water pump with a hose coming off of it. After you blow the lines, all you have to do is turn the valve and stick the hose into a jug of antifreeze. Turn on the pump and fill the lines. Done. Wastes less that way. Don't forget to drain and bypass your water heater as well.

gspot01 · 08-25-2016, 09:35 PM

Pardon my ignorance please (newbie TT owner here), but why is antifreeze even necessary? It would seem as if blowing out the lines and draining the holding tanks would get rid if any residual water that could freeze. Not trying to challenge convention--just wondering...

Sent from my SD4930UR using Tapatalk

raspivey · 08-26-2016, 10:22 AM

It depends....some people do one or the other, some both. With blowing the lines clear, there's always the chance that you're going to miss a little here and there. Little nooks and crannies like inside the water pump, etc. There's a small chance that something you miss will freeze and expand causing damage. You could just add antifreeze but it will get diluted somewhat with all the water in the lines and/or take more to do the job. Doing both just adds extra insurance. I'm on the Gulf coast and it rarely freezes for more than a few hours. Most times I just blow mine out. If I see temps are going to be low for a few days, I'll go out and put a gallon or two in. Only take fifteen minutes or so.

EastlakeRoo · 08-26-2016, 10:31 AM

I agree with raspivey. Cheap insurance to add pink stuff after blowing out lines than repairing/fixing pipes in the spring. I have been doing this for the past 4 years with no issues.

NMWildcat · 08-26-2016, 11:10 AM

Don't use more than 40-50psi to blow out your lines to be safe, same as your water pressure restrictor you use at CGs. They make one way valves you screw into your inlet connection just for that. Set your compressor to 40psi and pressurize your system using the valve until you hear no more air movement, then open an outlet. Repeat for each outlet. As far as antifreeze, depends on where you live. In the southwest we only get a handful of short, hard freezes so we don't use it. But farther north I would think it would be a necessity.

**Flybob** · 08-26-2016, 11:37 AM

Blowing out the lines only gets the bulk of the water out. There is always a little that ends finding its way to the low point and can accumulate to a point that it can freeze and do damage. For less than $8.00 you can fill the system with antifreeze and not worry. Don't forget sink sprayer if you have one and outside shower.

bob caldwell · 08-26-2016, 11:49 AM

And the trap under sink, if your unit has a sink...

gspot01 · 08-26-2016, 12:48 PM

Ok thanks. I'll be sure and use it. We get a few really hard freezes so I'm pretty sure it would be necessary in my area.

Sent from my SD4930UR using Tapatalk

Paulie1138 · 08-26-2016, 01:39 PM

Just a fast note to the newbies! use anti-freeze designated for RV use-not your vehicle radiator! Yes, there is a difference! One can kill you, the other, just a bit unpleasant tasting!

NMWildcat · 08-26-2016, 03:07 PM

Here's the plastic blow out (one way valve) plug used with a compressor I was talking about for about $2. You can also get a brass one at Home Depot for about $8. Makes the job much easier!

Blow-out Plug - Camco 36104 - Winterizing - Camping World

aceinspp · 08-26-2016, 03:15 PM

You can buy at Walmart for about $3.00. Later RJD

Teamfour · 08-26-2016, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Here's the plastic blow out (one way valve) plug used with a compressor I was talking about for about $2. You can also get a brass one at Home Depot for about $8. Makes the job much easier!

Blow-out Plug - Camco 36104 - Winterizing - Camping World

I use the brass version and just use the clamp on air chuck from my bicycle pump.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

rockfordroo · 08-26-2016, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMWildcat

Here's the plastic blow out (one way valve) plug used with a compressor I was talking about for about $2. You can also get a brass one at Home Depot for about $8. Makes the job much easier!

Blow-out Plug - Camco 36104 - Winterizing - Camping World

These are NOT one way valves, they're basically just "reducers;" (at least, mine's not, and it looks exactly like your pic).

NMWildcat · 08-26-2016, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

These are NOT one way valves, they're basically just "reducers;" (at least, mine's not, and it looks exactly like your pic).

Don't know what you have, but the ones I use let the air in and then hold the pressure until I open a faucet. Can't remember where i bought mine. Is possible that the link I grabbed is not the exact one I have but looks the same.

TARVIDSON · 08-27-2016, 09:45 AM

I use the small compressor like you do, the trick to really getting enough water out is to keep the pressure on, not over 40#, let it build up, release one valve at a time and keep repeating until you are getting pretty much nothing but air. Don't forget to run the pump dry a couple times. Don't forget toilets, outside showers etc. Using this method I have never used antifreeze except down the drains and in the black and gray tanks, never a problem.

Ian Walker · 08-27-2016, 10:55 AM

I was told that it's better to pump antifreeze thru the entire trailer. The trouble with air is if there's a low spot in the piping (and there's probably plenty) the air will just blow by & the pipe can still freeze. Of course you have to turn the by pass on the HWT. HWT's don't like antifreeze. Also pull the electric anode after doing the bypass & dump all the water in the HWT.

You may also like: