1) Where exactly is the bypass pump and bypass valves on my 2017 178?

2) What is the purpose of the "in between" bypass valve on the hose between the hot and cold inlet bypass valve?

3)What is the purpose of the bypass pump, if any, other then to be able to pump antifreeze thru the system for winterization?

1) Where exactly is the bypass pump and bypass valves on my 2017 178? Pump is behind the service panel below the sink. Valves are under the bed.

2) What is the purpose of the "in between" bypass valve on the hose between the hot and cold inlet bypass valve? When closed, prevents hot and cold water from mixing when the other two valves are open. When open allows water to flow while the others are closed to prevent flow into the water heater.

3)What is the purpose of the bypass pump, if any, other then to be able to pump antifreeze thru the system for winterization? Not really a pump, but an uptake valve. It allows RV anti-freeze to be sucked up into the plumbing system by inserting the pigtail hose connected to the same valve into the anti-freeze jug, opening the valve and turning on the water pump. 

Here is a great video by my main man Travis "aka...MoosePOD" on how all of this works...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNw5wujU9tI - R-Pod Winterization with "Pink Stuff"

In my 180 both the heater and pump are under the bed.  I winterized using anti-freeze once, but it was such a pain in the arse that this time I bought an air compressor, drained the water heater, blew out all the lines, poured some anti-freeze in drains, and called it a day.  MUCH easier.

Owners that have to store off-site where the option with having an air compressor with a tank on site is not really an option, will find the pink stuff option favorable. 

Cliff, thanks so much for the information. I really appreciate the reply. Do you own a 178? It sounds like a tremendous amount of trouble to open and close the shut the bypass valves. 

I am going to get a hold of my selling dealer Monday. When we received our initial walk thru it was done by a mechanic that had prepped and serviced our R-Pod. He at that time told me that it was already winterized, but he did not find it necessary to use the pink anti-freeze, they blew the lines out with compressed air and that was it. I never asked him, nor did he mention the bypass valves and their status of being open or closed, that is why I was looking for them to know where they are at and to be able to know how to access them in the future when I do add antifreeze to the system. So all this information brings me to these questions. 

1) When I winterize is simply blowing out the system with compressed air enough? Or do I want to make sure I always add pink anti-freeze to the system (I live in southern Oregon and we do get cold winters, in the 20's)?

2) If I do winterize using antifreeze how difficult is it to...

a. access the bypass valves under the bed (tips and info would be greatly appreciated)?

b. access the pump and utilize the hose for uptaking antifreeze from antifreeze container?

3) How difficult is it to utilize the access to the pump (post mentioned it is under the sink behind a service panel) to be able to add the pink anti-freeze?

4) When winterizing by blowing out the lines, in lieu of adding anti-freeze, would you still need to open and close the bypass valves for this operation ( I assume no, but hate to assume anything with my lack of experience and knowledge)?

I NOTICED THAT WHILE I WAS WRITING THE ABOVE NEW QUESTIONS THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME REPLIES THAT ADDRESS SOME OF THE QUESTIONS. I WOULD APPRECIATE AS MUCH INPUT BY THOSE HOW OWN A 178 AND DEAL WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THANKS...JOHN

Cliff, thanks a million for the answers and the photo. Great help. 

Cliff thanks for the photo.

Is the photo shown with mods you did or is that how the set-up came from the factory?

Do you own a 178?

Oh, that's a NICE bed setup.  Too bad they don't build them that way.

And I agree that the blowout method may not be an option for some owners.

And I agree it is more time consuming (mostly just standing around).

And the pink stuff does work well (we dropped to 5 a few weeks ago and no freeze issues).

But not having to practically take the bed completely apart to bypass/syphon is just easier (for me).

It's a matter of preference I suppose.

I recommend trying both (if have that option) and then decide.

The first time is a little scary (did I do everything right?).

But once done you'll realize it's really not that hard.

Moose-pod has an EXCELLENT video on YouTube.

Watch it 4 or 5 times, then do it, and you'll be an expert.

I just ran out to my 2017 model 178 to verify where my pump and bypass valves are located. I looked close under the sink and can't seem to see anything that looks like a service panel or pump (including removing the panel under the cabinet door directly under the sink). 

I then lifted the mattress and plywood seeing what I think is probably both the pump and bypass valves. Trying to inspect this area close while holding the mattress and plywood by hand made in difficult to know 100% that both are in fact located under the bed (I am going to recheck when I can do so with help). 

I did find the loose pigtail hose the would be used to upload antifreeze, so the fact that that hose is indeed under the bed implies to me that both the pump and bypass hoses are located in that one spot under the bed.

Is that correct? 

Can someone else with a 2017 model 178 verify that?

I did find the loose pigtail hose the would be used to upload antifreeze, so the fact that that hose is indeed under the bed implies to me that both the pump and bypass hoses are located in that one spot under the bed.

Is that correct? Yes, sounds like FR may have relocated the pump on your model. 

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