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Topic ClosedWinterizing a R-pod 195
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ArenaBlanca View Drop Down
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Joined: 07 Sep 2016
Location: Alamogordo, NM
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Posts: 158 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Winterizing a R-pod 195
    Posted: 08 Sep 2020 at 12:40pm
We traded in our 179 for the 195 last year.  We also spent the winter at home where I could plug in.  The forecast for tomorrow calls for overnight temps ins the 26-30 degree range.  I drained the hot water heater and used the air method to blow out the lines and the toilet valve.  So I should be okay to go.

But just for the record, are there shut off valves for the water heater? And how does one get to them in this model?  It looks to me that one would need to pull out the converter or the vacuum but that seems like a lot of hassle.
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 08 Sep 2020 at 2:00pm
Vaccum? In last years model? Not mine. Oh maybe the 2020.5 had it.  But the hot water tank valves should be behind the bottom panel, under the fridge. Is it going to be above freezing in the daytime? If so I wouldn't worry about it yet. 
2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding
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Pod_Geek View Drop Down
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Posts: 259 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Sep 2020 at 3:42pm
You have to pull the vacuum in the 2020.5 (which I have). Not a huge deal, but as I recall from last spring's dewinterization it is possible to screw up and lose one or more of the brackets that hold the vacuum's face plate on. I use compressed air so don't have to get at the water heater bypasses, which lowers my stress level.
2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River
2018 RAM 2500 6.4L
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BMJ View Drop Down
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Posts: 24 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Oct 2020 at 10:06am
Winterize the 195 in a jiffy... bypass to water heater behind vac...hose for winterize fluid is front compartment ( I replaced. the 4 screws with Velcro) takes about 1 1/2 gallons for complete   .... they did a great job in engineering access for winterizing..: it’s just sad to have to end the travel session
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ArenaBlanca View Drop Down
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Posts: 158 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Nov 2020 at 10:13am
This is just for the record and I wanted to close out the discussion.  I finally got an answer from Forest River on accessing the water heater by-pass valves. They believe that there are hoses and plumbing issues associated with removing the vacuum, therefore, they recommend removing the converter.  But they caution to be careful of all the wiring behind it.

I'm with Pod_Geek on this issue.  I drain the water heater and  use compressed air to blow out the water lines. But I wanted to know where the valves were located as I'd never seen them on this model.
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mjlrpod View Drop Down
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Nov 2020 at 10:16am
Well I don't know about all 195's, but mine was super simple to get to the H/W tank valve. 4 screws and the cover came right off. They even had a tag on the water line showing how to set the valve for winter or summer. Was a pleasant surprise to see that they cared enough to do that. Not that it's hard to figure out, but it's about the fact someone cared. 
2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding
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Pod_Geek View Drop Down
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Posts: 259 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Nov 2020 at 10:25am
Originally posted by ArenaBlanca

...They believe that there are hoses and plumbing issues associated with removing the vacuum, therefore, they recommend removing the converter....

No issues for me.  As I mentioned, only had to get in there one time to open them up (took delivery of a winterized unit 11/2019) and now it's all about the compressed air!

Originally posted by mjlrpod

Well I don't know about all 195's, but mine was super simple to get to the H/W tank valve. 4 screws and the cover came right off....

I suspect that you have a 195 that includes an access panel that I don't have.  You can see it here at about 8:50 around the corner from the vacuum:

youtube.com/watch?v=xA1Ycl3alQI
2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River
2018 RAM 2500 6.4L
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mmulroy View Drop Down
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Posts: 1 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jan 2021 at 3:41pm
My 2020 195 does not have a vacuum.  There is a panel below the fridge.  Needed to remove 4 screws, plus the bungee netting. 

The first time I tried to remove the panel it was fitted too tight and would not come out.  I needed to remove the inverter (kill the battery before doing this) and push the panel from behind.  Sanded the panel so it is now easy to remove. 

Instructions are on the water line for how to position for winterizing.  
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