Winterizing & Black Water Tank

[KKonyha]

After dumping and flushing the black water tank, we always pump back in 5 or so gallons. For winterizing, does everyone completely drain the tank or just put some rv antifreeze down the toilet?
Also, do most leave the grey tank valves open or closed? I figure I can leave the valve open and put the cap back on to keep critters out.

 

[Draggo]

I will completely drain both the black and grey tanks and then close the valves. Depending on if you run anti-freeze through the whole system or just dump it in the traps it would make a difference. If your just dumping it in the traps then leaving the valves open shouldn't make a difference but if you fill the pipes with the anti-freeze then you would want the valves closed so what goes into the tanks doesn't just run out. I fill the entire system (not including the fresh water or hot water tanks) with the stuff so whatever goes into the tanks just stays there.

 

[TitanMike]

When I winterize I just drain black and gray water tanks. I don't use RV antifreeze, just blow all lines COMPLETLY DRY using compressed air and for p-traps, blow them dry using the exhaust from a shop vac. Blowing the system out just requires patience to make sure ALL water is gone. Payoff comes in spring when no need to flush out "the pink stuff" with no chance of residual taste.

My new winterizing plan is to just go South to AZ, and other areas with no freezing weather

 

[Aussieguy]

My new winterizing plan is to just go South to AZ, and other areas with no freezing weather

Arizona still gets cold .. Phoenix got a record of -9
better go further south
Florida is good

 

[TitanMike]

Arizona still gets cold .. Phoenix got a record of -9
better go further south
Florida is good

That was in 1913 and it was --9 Celsius. In this country it was only 16 degrees. The coldest ever high temp in Phoenix was 36 degrees so that "Low" didn't last all that long and was well above freezing. 1913 was long before "global warming"
Where I'm headed the average temps range from high40's on a cool day to nice 70's by noon--------AND ------ NO Hurricanes.

I'd rather thaw a pipe than have to searching for all or part of my RV.

 

[KKonyha]

Thanks for the replies.

 

[PhilFromMaine]

That was in 1913 and it was --9 Celsius. In this country it was only 16 degrees. The coldest ever high temp in Phoenix was 36 degrees so that "Low" didn't last all that long and was well above freezing. 1913 was long before "global warming"
Where I'm headed the average temps range from high40's on a cool day to nice 70's by noon--------AND ------ NO Hurricanes.

I'd rather thaw a pipe than have to searching for all or part of my RV.

To be fair, Florida doesn't have hurricanes during the Winter, nor does it have dust storms. However, if I had a choice I'd be in Arizona.

 

[PhilFromMaine]

After dumping and flushing the black water tank, we always pump back in 5 or so gallons. For winterizing, does everyone completely drain the tank or just put some rv antifreeze down the toilet?
Also, do most leave the grey tank valves open or closed? I figure I can leave the valve open and put the cap back on to keep critters out.

Right now I probably have 2 gallons of liquid in both tanks. I have no place to drain it out to. I will Winterize with antifreeze and IMO the -50 degree antifreeze will mix in with the water in the tanks and preventing any freezing. I leave everything in the closed position. There is plenty of room in the tanks to take care of any any expansion.

 

[D W]

After dumping and flushing the black water tank, we always pump back in 5 or so gallons. For winterizing, does everyone completely drain the tank or just put some rv antifreeze down the toilet?
Also, do most leave the grey tank valves open or closed? I figure I can leave the valve open and put the cap back on to keep critters out.

Put the water heater in bypass mode, drain it and open the low point drains to drain them. Close up the low point drains. After flushing and emptying the black tank I pump some antifreeze through the lines while flushing the toilet. I save enough antifreeze to place in the bowl to keep the seal from drying out. The gray tank and galley tank get completely dump and antifreeze gets run through those line via the sinks and shower. Also put antifreeze through the outdoor shower. Pour some down the drains into the P traps and I'm done. I always leave the valve closed on the tanks. It keeps the seals from drying out.