Bypass Valve for Adding Antifreeze
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2909
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 6:06am
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Topic: Bypass Valve for Adding Antifreeze
Posted By: Footslogger03
Subject: Bypass Valve for Adding Antifreeze
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 3:41pm
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Pretty day today but nothing to do and nowhere to go ...so I decided to install a bypass valve next to the pump under the bed in our 177. It is a little brass "T" with a little gate knob that allows water either to flow into, or pypass the hot water heater. The "T" end has a brass cap on it and the assembly came with a cap and tube for pulling antifreeze into your system. With winter approaching I decided this would be a lot more convenient way of preparing for the freezing temps.
Had to lower the water pump a little in order to allow space for the factory "quick disconnect" assembly and clearance for one of the factory bypass valve handles. I'll get a picture of the final installation and post it later. ....back to the job !! 'Slogger ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Replies:
Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 4:20pm
| Wasn't there already a set of bypass valves for the hot water heater? What does the new valve do the the factory valves don't do? |
Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 7:41pm
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Yes, on my 177 model (maybe they're all the same) there are 3 handles that can be turned 90 degrees to bypass the hot water heater, either while on City Water or pumping from your holding tank.
The reason I added this brass "T Valve Kit' was that it has (on the T end) a removable cap and the entire valve assembly has an "open" and "bypass" setting. The kit comes with a metal cap and 20" clear hose. When it's time to winterize, you set the 3 factory valves to the bypass setting, attach the hose and stick the loose end in a bottle of antifreeze and turn on the pump. You keep the sink and bathroom faucets open so that you can see when the pink stuff has filled the plumbing. 'Slogger ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 7:45pm
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While I was at it and had the bed all propped up, I added a 12V receptacle near the floor next to the factory 110V outlet.
'Slogger ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 8:08pm
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I like the idea of the 12 Volt receptacle but ours has a valve and hose for pulling RV antifreeze through the system from the factory right there next to the pump. I thought that they all came standard with this in place. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 8:20pm
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The valve and hose for the anti-freeze are behind a panel under the sink. The bypass valves for the water heater are under the bed. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 8:23pm
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Not on my 177. There are 3 bypass handles for the hot water heater - - but there are NO valves under the sink.
Camco sells an adapter kit with all the parts for a direct tie-in on the input side of the water pump. Not much room to work in there but I get er done !! It's gonna make winterizeing a breeze. 'Slogger ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 9:09pm
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Whatyear is your 177? Mine is a 2011 and they came with one. ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 9:11pm
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2012 - - no valves ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 9:12pm
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I'm a little confused, too. As far as I know all models come with the bypass valves and the antifreeze uptake valve/hose.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 9:13pm
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Maybe HRE's different ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 9:34pm
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I re-watched the video we shot during our turnover briefing the day we picked up our 177. The service rep told us we'd need an "L" valve to use for pulling in antifreeze and bypassing the hot water heater. But when I saw this kit from Camco I thought it was a better system.
'Slogger ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2012 at 12:22am
We have an HRE 171 and it came with an extra hose that has a quick-disconnect fitting on one side. At first I was looking around for somewhere to plug it in, but there are no additional valves. You just disconnect the intake side of the pump and connect the hose instead. It was a bit intimidating the first time I tried it (I disconnected the wrong side of the pump and ended up blowing bubbles in my antifreeze
 ). But after I did it once it was actually pretty simple. |
Posted By: MTB Pod
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2012 at 8:29am
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Our 177 is also a 2012. I have looked everywhere, and have not been able to locate an intake hose. The bypass valves are under the bed, but there is no intake hose off the pump or under the sink that I've found. I was beginning to think it was just ours! Luckily, in Portland, we don't get below freezing long enough to have to worry about doing a full winterization. I just make sure to blow all the water out of the lines, drain the water heater, and pour anti-freeze down the drains to get the low-lying points in the traps. Marila ------------- Pete & Marila Sacramento, CA 2012 RPod 177 2001 Ford F-150 Crew Cab |
Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2012 at 9:28am
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What like the most about the valve I added is the cap that you just removed and replace with the tube for additng antifreeze. I figure I have to lift the bed to turn the bypass handles by the pump/water heater ...so it's an ideal place for the new valve. A long time ago I added hinges to the large board that sits under the bed so lifting it up now isn't so hard. Plus, I added some "legs" that hold it up at a steep enough angle for me to sit on a stool to do all the work. Lots easier on the back/knees.
'Slogger ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2012 at 10:11am
In our case it was just loose in the "goodie" bag that the dealer gave us. It's just couple feet of white hose with one of these on the end:  That fitting fits directly into the intake side of the pump. If your dealer didn't give you one, you could easily make one for a few bucks (or upgrade to slogger's method).
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Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2012 at 10:43am
Here's a picture of the "T Valve" assembly installed.
Everything to the left of the blue slide lock came with the kit. There was a black double female ended coupling, the brass valve assembly and the chrome covered brass cap with hose (laying on the floor to the rear of the hot water heater. The round brass cap in the middle of the assembly screws off and you attached the separate cap and hose. Then you turn the 3 white factory handles 90 degrees and do the same to the little lever you see just below/in front of the removable brass cap. Then just stick the loose end of the hose into a jug of antifreeze, open open your faucets and turn on the pump until you see pink stuff coming out. This assembly stays in place year-round and the only need to access it is to remove the cap/replace it with the cap-hose assembly and turn the valve from the "open" to the "bypass" position. Not what I would call a "perfect solution", and honestly I believe that Forest River should have just added an assembly like this to the base plumbing near the pump - - but sometimes you just have to play the cards your dealt. It works ...and that's all I care about. I think the entire kit (Camco, ordered off of Amazon) was around $6 or $8. I ordered some other stuff and got free delivery. ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2012 at 10:46am
=========================== Never got one of those ... 'Slogger ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2012 at 11:15am
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Has FR stopped providing an antifreeze 'suction' hose on the pump line? My Pod came with an open ended hose adjacent to the pump with enough length to insert into an antifreeze gallon bottle. Just turn the divertor valve toward the open hose, turn on the pump and open the faucets.
------------- TIDALWAVE |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2012 at 1:21pm
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It looks like there may be a difference between the eastern and western setup of the Rpod My 2011 came with a setup like this. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2012 at 2:37pm
Same here.
------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: RPodWeGo
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 12:53am
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Once again kudos to all on this forum. After following TechTrac's winterization instructions i got to point off "turn the valves and insert hose in anti freeze jug" . No problem for this newbie until i started to become frustrated as i was unable to find the damn hose. Back to the forum as i realized this project was extending into the next day. Thanks to the smart search function it tells me "i'm hosed". LOL. Tomorrow i'm off to Home Depot to buy parts to create a bypass system. Thanks all. ------------- RPodWeGo RPod 177 04 v8 Toyota 4Runner |
Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 7:53am
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For the life of me, I can't figure out such stupid move on the part of FR, not to install the bypass kit on all units/models. That just a crappy way to cut-costs if you ask me.
------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 11:47am
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Maybe it's a model year thing.. prior to late '11, they don't have black water flush systems either. We are going to add one.. but in therory, we shouldn't have to, because for 2011, they include one.. of course '11s have the new graphics too.. we don't. Or an east-west thing.. two different factories, and it is a fact that the west gets a different "package" then us.. ? ------------- |
Posted By: Footslogger03
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 11:52am
===================== If you're not in a big hurry check out the Camco Winterizer Kit on Amazon. Comes complete with everything you need, including teflon tape and a dip hose for the antifreeze bottle. Not sure if you can buy all the parts for that price ($14.99) http://http://www.amazon.com/Camco-36543-Pump-Converter-Winterizing/dp/B0006JJ588/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_2 - http://www.amazon.com/Camco-36543-Pump-Converter-Winterizing/dp/B0006JJ588/ref=pd_sim_sbs_sg_2 'Slogger ------------- Livin' the Dream ...'Slogger |
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 5:45pm
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What model Pod do you have? Some Pods have the antifreeze intake hose located in different parts of the Pod than other models.
If you 'reply' and give the year and model Pod you have...I am certain that another member will know if your Pod has the hose and where it is located. ------------- TIDALWAVE |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 8:13pm
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I think there have been enough reports of "no hose" here that it sounds like they have in fact removed it. As Nascar said, its a stupid move. Just like not including a battery cutoff switch or plug. All campers must be winterized. All campers must disconnect the battery between trips. It would be like removing the light switches on the interior fixtures. Who needs the lights off to sleep, and hey it saves the cost of all those switches. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: RPodWeGo
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 1:19am
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Thanks all for commenting on Forest River's decision not to have a winterization bypass system on the 2012 Hood River 177 models (I can't comment on other models). Slogger is in Wyoming, others in Oregon and myself in Utah all have the same comment, "what the heck"? ------------- RPodWeGo RPod 177 04 v8 Toyota 4Runner |
Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 8:58am
Wow. I hadn't realized any models had this. Wish mine did.
------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 9:16am
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Our 2011 177 was made in Indiana and has the winterization hose, blackwater flush, and new graphics. It was made late enough so it came with the light bar and didn't need to be recalled for it. It sounds like folks without the hose have pods made in the west. Is that right? Is it east/west? ------------- Keith-N-Dar Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers) 2011 R-Pod 177 2010 Ford F-150 |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 9:19am
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After a rather extensive perusal of my 2013 171HRE and checking under the bed, and taking off the panel in front of the kitchen sink to expose the water pump, I DO NOT have a connector for winterizing. Just ordered the Camco unit from Amazon. Guess they removed this and leave it up to the owner to deal with winterizing. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 2:59pm
We have a 2011 171 HRE (west coast edition) and it also has blackwater flush, but the winterization hose is literally a loose hose with a fitting on the end (no valve). The intake side of the pump gets unplugged and the "winterization hose" gets plugged in instead.
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Posted By: duck42
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2012 at 5:05pm
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Note to Forest River: Don't you folks ever read these comments on the forum? It would be nice if you could shoot the forum a message when a simple maintenance change occurs such as the one pertaining to the apparent disappearance of the winterization RV antifreeze hose and valve in the 2012/2013 RPOD models so we would not spend all our time describing a non existent hose and location to a baffled new RPOD purchaser who actually doesn't have what we are describing . Every previous RPOD has had the RV antifreeze hose and valve, albeit in various locations since 2009. The new coupler and short length of hose looks like a cost cutting step for Forest River but does not appear to be very user friendly compared to the old valve hose arrangement and comes as a bit of a surprise to fellow RPODERs trying to help other PODERS. A technical note from the factory when this controversy started about a month ago would have been put this to rest and would have been much appreciated. Thanks!  ------------- duck42 |
Posted By: Podsible Dream
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 10:25am
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Duck42,
My impression from being part of both this and the Rpod Nation forum is that FR participates in only the Nation forum, and for unknown reason has not joined this one. Perhaps some of the 'rogue' nature of the genesis of this forum still exists in their thinking. Maybe a serious invitation to them to join the owners' forum is needed. We are up to over 1000 members, and to my eye, more active by posting participation than the other. ------------- Chris and Walt '10 RP-171 'Free Spirit' '13 Dodge Durango Crew 5.7 L Hemi V8 |
Posted By: duck42
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 10:48am
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We do speak freely on this post, don't we? I hope Forest River appreciates our constructive comments and also takes notice of some of the perceived problems that users experience. The RPOD is a nice concept that should benefit form user input and continuing attention to quality construction and control at Forest River.
------------- duck42 |
Posted By: RPodWeGo
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 3:42pm
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Agreed with your comments that FR at the minimum needs to monitor the forums. Customer feedback is important to all manufactures. Note to self, email Kirsten @ FR. Suggest to monitor forums and send a dang valve to those in need, we'll do the labor. ------------- RPodWeGo RPod 177 04 v8 Toyota 4Runner |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 4:57pm
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I also agree that there is more action on this forum than the other, but what I realy like is, that there is a record of the people that have been on line every day. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 24 Oct 2012 at 10:25pm
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Yeah, we are the wild ones over here, breaking away from the pack and going rogue. Cool to hear that this may now be the "mainstream" forum. marwayne, the other forum used to have the list of logins at the bottom, not sure why they removed them. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: P&M
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2012 at 8:33am
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I would be surprised if someone from FR wasn't checking the two forums from time to time ... it would be a rather bad business decision if they didn't. I really appreciate this one much more than the other one, having spent a lot of time on both researching the Pod's before buying, but the number of "rah-rah" posts about FR on the other one basically pushed me away. The fact that this is independent as an owners site and not sponsored by a distributor appeals to me more, and I never even go to the other one anymore. ------------- P & M ... and Comet too! 2012 171 -- The Monkey Pod 2018 Ram 2500 |
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2012 at 11:09am
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It appears that FR no longer installs the Antifreeze pickup hose on the R-Pods manufactured on the West Coast! Seems FR wants to save a couple of bucks. If so, why not make the pickup hose an 'option'? Not all of us want (or are capable) to crawl under cabinets, cutting and splicing hoses. ------------- TIDALWAVE |
Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2012 at 11:24am
Kind of makes you wonder about FR. If cutting this was the only remaining choice to cut costs, what does that tell us of the quality of everything else that's being used to fabricate the RPOD? If cutting the "winterization kit" was what they came up with, I'd be concerned about the "quality" of the components which are being used for everything else.
Are all the RPODS now coming with that corner shelf in the wet-bath? Why not do away with that. From what I've read, many folks don't like it due to the fact it's taking much needed space from an already crammed area.
------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: rpodcamper.com
Date Posted: 25 Oct 2012 at 1:34pm
They have had several personal invitations to join this site. They are aware of it but for some reason they wish to support a Dealer's site vs an owners site. Forest River preaches about buying local and not just going for slick cheap internet sales person but skips taking that advice. Forest River has listened to ideas and made changes if you look at the early models to the later models.
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