Winterization |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Topic: Winterization Posted: 17 Nov 2009 at 7:53pm |
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Last edited 11/15/2011. Re-ordered some steps and cleaned it up. 1) Make sure the black and gray waste water tanks are empty. 2) Outside and underneath the trailer, unscrew your fresh water tank's drain and allow it to empty. 3) Turn on the water pump and open a valve to suck up any remaining water in the line between the tank and the pump. 9) Re-insert the fresh water tank plug while you are outside. 10) Turn the bypass valves on the hot water heater. The valves are inside the trailer - mine are under the bed on the road side. 17) Pour some RV antifreeze down the shower and sink drains. 18) Set the fridge's door latch so it stays open - look at the assembly on the wall of the fridge, you can slide it out some so when the door is latched it stays open enough to prevent mold from growing. |
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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mountain mist
Senior Member Joined: 25 May 2010 Location: Gatlinburg Tenn Online Status: Offline Posts: 426 |
Posted: 16 Oct 2010 at 8:51am | |
Thank you for this "how to", easy to get to.
Before getting on the road at the end of my last trip, I emptied the holding tanks, black and grey, Then added 3 flushings of water and blue AND at least a half bag of ice. As it sets in my yard, I note there is 2/3 full. NOW , suggestions on what to do with that liquid (will it need to be taken somewhere and dumped before temps in the 30's, or is is ok as is) I am leaving, without the Escape Pod, for Texas in 4 days, we may get weather to wonder about while gone, but back to balmy for weeks.
I plan to try some camping near by that has no hookups in November. Having propane for most of the emenities is pretty nice. I take it that having it "winterized" as stated above will be ok since I won't need to use any of the "water" . What may seem logical to me, without the experience, may not be correct. Glad for this forum , may times over.
To the point here, if ANY liquid is in ANY of the tanks, there is danger of freezing? OR if I am putting the pink into system, flusing it into the tank that has water, melted ice and Blue, will that keep it OK?
If this keeps ok, is it the best idea when I go out in November, to dump. Then what have I dumped out that might need to be in there, do I do some additional things.
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'11 Forest River r.pod 171
'10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
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mountain mist
Senior Member Joined: 25 May 2010 Location: Gatlinburg Tenn Online Status: Offline Posts: 426 |
Posted: 16 Oct 2010 at 8:55am | |
To add to my last post. I plan to Winterized it before I leave for Texas, if the Pink is in the tank with blue and water, will that hold it from freezing?
And to ask again, if I get out with it in Nov, and dump, would there be any additional things to do in the lines?
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'11 Forest River r.pod 171
'10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
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Outbound
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 19 Nov 2009 Location: Oshawa, Ontario Online Status: Offline Posts: 767 |
Posted: 16 Oct 2010 at 11:13am | |
RV antifreeze does not dilute well. Your tanks will freeze.
Pour some antifreeze down the toilet and down the sink so that your knife valves are protected.
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Craig :: 2009 RP171 towed by a 2017 F150
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Guests
Guest Group |
Posted: 16 Oct 2010 at 1:27pm | |
I agree with Outbound. If there is a concern at all about freezing, go ahead and dump your tanks. I am sure you know there is a dump station at GSMNP Sugarlands Visitor Center.
It seems odd that your monitor would show 2/3 full, based on what you say. I've never done the "ice thing"...I've always just added 2-3 gallons of water with the blue stuff (and much prefer the liquid over the powder). Have a nice trip to TX!
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mountain mist
Senior Member Joined: 25 May 2010 Location: Gatlinburg Tenn Online Status: Offline Posts: 426 |
Posted: 16 Oct 2010 at 7:26pm | |
well, I did not see it myself, the husband did. Unless I DID NOT get all out of the tanks when I dumped , then added 3 full flushes of toilet, plus 1/2/3/4 bag of ice. hmmmmmmmmm.
I do know there is dump at Sugarlands, that is where I will go after a stay in Elkmont in November.
I think I was trying to confirm my unease at leaving canned goods in Pod. I know one year I left a pack of tt in a closet and WOW, mouse nest, inflated by many times! Any pot holders with stuffing too.
Guess my dry goods have to come out too. Really getting lazy here.
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'11 Forest River r.pod 171
'10 Ford Edge ESCAPE POD Trudi and Austin mini-schnauzers change here, Trudi has gone, Austin now has a small black schnauzer buddy, Bentley |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 16 Oct 2010 at 11:47pm | |
I agree, dump the tanks. The little bit of water left in them after dumping isn't a problem.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Tusten Traveler
Senior Member Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Location: Catskills NY Online Status: Offline Posts: 235 |
Posted: 19 Oct 2010 at 10:55am | |
We just completed our second annual winterization this weekend. Very sad . My question is I did everything above and am sure that the water tank is drained, but I didn't use a blow out plug and I didn't see pink (or any) water come out when I pressed the pin in on the city water connection. Even if there is a little bit left in the tank, will I be OK, or do I have to take a wet/dry vac to it?
Also- word of caution. Remember how you leave the bypass valves when you head out in the spring. We forgot that we left it on bypass and burned out the electric heating element by turning on the hot water on our first trip.
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John and Linda
One 14 lb Cockapoo 2010 RPod 174 |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 19 Oct 2010 at 12:20pm | |
The little bit left in all of the tanks is ok, even the water tank. You probably have less than 1/4 gallon in there and 30 gallons of room for expansion when it freezes.
Was your water system pressurized (pump on) when you pressed on the city water connection pin? It may have a drainback preventer/valve on it (I know my popup did) so even if the rest of the system was pressurized you might not see any pink come backwards. That is why I recommend using the blowout plug so you push any water in that little section of hose into the rest of the water system instead of trying to get any pink stuff to come out. If you have easy access to the inside of your 'pod where the city connection is, you could look to see if its possible to temporarily disconnect that section of hose and drain it that way.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Tusten Traveler
Senior Member Joined: 22 Jul 2009 Location: Catskills NY Online Status: Offline Posts: 235 |
Posted: 19 Oct 2010 at 12:35pm | |
Thanks, Doug- no I didn't have the pump on when I pressed the pin. Thanks. That makes sense. I'm sure it will probably be OK, but I think I will invest in the blowout plug to finish the job correctly this weekend- the extra step is worth not losing any sleep over! |
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John and Linda
One 14 lb Cockapoo 2010 RPod 174 |
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