bypass - Event Date: 28 Sep 2014

I don't know about a 179, but while you do need to flip the WH bypass valve as part of the winterizing process, you don't put antifreeze in there, or through the holding tank.  The antifreeze intake hose and valve on my 176 is under the kitchen sink.  It's an open-ended hose.  You do have to remove a panel but you don't have to hold up a bed.  That said, holding up a bed just requires some sort of prop -- a 2x2 cut to length, for example.

TT

When we bought our 177 the tech asked if I wanted the screws put back in the plywood after he showed me the valves.  I said no, and now to shift the valves I lift the mattress and plywood, hold it up with my shoulder and shift the valves.  On the 177 the hose is under the sink.

I blow out the system first but always pump the system full of antifreeze.  It is no big trick to flush out the antifreeze in the spring.

All I've ever down was drain then blow out the lines, has worked for me for 40 years.  I used antifreeze one time only and was dismayed at how hard it was to get the taste out of the system.   I do use it in the traps.