Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Shakedown cruise question

Print Page | Close Window

Shakedown cruise question

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
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=9258
Printed Date: 03 May 2024 at 2:38pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Shakedown cruise question

Posted By: JET
Subject: Shakedown cruise question
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 9:28am

Hi all

Just in case I am assuming (assume...makes an "ass" out of "u" and "me") incorrectly...and it is my first outing...and I am a smidgen apprehensive about screwing up... I am posing this question that probably does not need to be asked, but here goes.

I just picked up my new R-Pod 178 and parked it at my house a little over a week ago. I have been diligently trying to learn all that there is to know about it's operation (especially winterizing and dewinterizing which I plan on doing myself). It came from the dealer winterized and I have not added water to the system. Living in southern Oregon we are at the time of the year where I would need to re-winterize if I did use the city and/or on board water supply.

So here is the question. My wife and I have decided for the fun of it...and as kind of a simple and easy preliminary shakedown cruise... to drive about 5 or 6 miles away to a local RV campground (it is open with full hook-ups) and spend the night and then come back home the next day. I plan on NOT hooking up to the city water hook-up or adding any water to the fresh water tank. But...I thought we would use the sink drain to dump some gray water and other appropriate liquids we might want to dispose of via the sink.

I am thinking that all I will have to do before returning home and storing the pod in the winter weather is simply dump the gray water (there shouldn't be but 2 or 3 gallons at most), pour a cup or so of pink antifreeze down the drain for the p-trap, and that will be all that is necessary....correct? It seems that all wintering and dewinterizing information I have seen simply says to empty the tanks (black and gray) and I assume that because of the size of the tanks vs the small amount of liquids/moisture left after dumping that freezing temperatures will not adversely affect either black or gray tanks (as mentioned though our black tank is not going to be used this trip).

Is that correct or is there something I am missing? I am leaving this afternoon and would like to feel just a little more comfortable when I return to the subfreezing weather to park my pod later tomorrow that I haven't missed anything in this regard.

John

Replies:

Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 10:00am

You are exactly correct. Have fun!

TT

-------------
2010 176
FJ Cruiser

Posted By: JET
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 10:10am

Thanks for your reply.

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 10:12am

Agree with Tars Tarkas, enjoy yourselves, no worries.

-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: ArenaBlanca
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 12:01pm

You might want to give some thought to the toilet valves. I've been told that water freezing in there can easily cause damage.

Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 1:17pm

Originally posted by ArenaBlanca

You might want to give some thought to the toilet valves. I've been told that water freezing in there can easily cause damage.

If his pod is already winterized and no water is introduced into the water system the toilet valves will not be in any danger.

-------------
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150

Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 2:31pm

Originally posted by ArenaBlanca

You might want to give some thought to the toilet valves. I've been told that water freezing in there can easily cause damage.

Pardon me if my cynicism is showing but the key phrase in the Jet's post is "it came from the dealer..." The toilet valve is particularly elusive and many dealers don't really understand it. IF IT EVER HAD WATER IN IT that valve will retain a small amount of water and, if not drained or flushed with antifreeze, will freeze and crack. Better to check it yourself and be safe. I no longer have a Pod so I can't advise on the exact toilet model but some knowledgeable owner will jump in here and help.

-------------
Charlie
Northern Colorado
OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 3:31pm

I add about a cup of pink antifreeze to the toilet, valve closed, the AF protects the toilet seal.

-------------
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 3:53pm

Pardon me, what is the AF?

-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 6:45pm

Sorry Jato, Antifreeze, being doing the wax on, wax off drill today, was lazy.

-------------
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2017 at 9:17pm

Thanks Mike.

-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."

Posted By: ArenaBlanca
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2017 at 4:17pm

My comment was more about the water input valve where the flushing water comes out to flush the toilet than the toilet seal. I am not sure what that valve is called. The seal isn't usually a problem.

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2017 at 4:51pm

Well, my take is the input valve doesn't have any water in it unless the toilet flush is being used. The seal can be a problem. Once winterized the flush line is clear. As long as you are not running more water thru the line. Once you open the line without a water source, it's clear. The flush seal on the other hand can sit dry and I like to keep a little antifreeze on it.

-------------
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2017 at 7:03pm

Originally posted by mcarter

Well, my take is the input valve doesn't have any water in it unless the toilet flush is being used.

Yeah... that's not the case. There is water above the flush valve that if not expelled or replaced with antifreeze can very definitely crack the valve if it freezes. You might be able to get enough of it out by flushing the toilet after the water is turned off, thereby draining it, but I'm not sure I'd bank on it.

TT

-------------
2010 176
FJ Cruiser

Posted By: JET
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2017 at 7:55pm

Originally posted by ArenaBlanca

You might want to give some thought to the toilet valves. I've been told that water freezing in there can easily cause damage.

Where and what exactly are the toilet valves and where are they accessed from?

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2017 at 9:45pm

JET,

They are in the toilet, and would normally be cleared during winterization process, either by pressurized air or replaced by antifreeze. From your original post I took it you were not using the toilet or adding any water to the Pod. If you're concerned winterize again. I agree with TARS you have to ensure valve is clear during winterization process. But after that unless you introduce water back in system you should be good.

-------------
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2017 at 10:31pm

JET,

The valve is controlled by the flush/fill lever of the toilet. Proper winterization would either clear the mechanism or fill it with antifreeze. Once winterized it will stay that way until water is put back to the toilet. On your shakedown you said your were not adding water and your dealer had winterized, so if you trust your dealer your toilet should be ok.

-------------
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."

Posted By: JET
Date Posted: 29 Jan 2017 at 10:47pm

Originally posted by mcarter

JET,

The valve is controlled by the flush/fill lever of the toilet. Proper winterization would either clear the mechanism or fill it with antifreeze. Once winterized it will stay that way until water is put back to the toilet. On your shakedown you said your were not adding water and your dealer had winterized, so if you trust your dealer your toilet should be ok.

Thanks for the clarification. I did do my first trip. And as planned I did not use water in the pod. I think I am good to go as far as knowing what to do when it is time to winterize. I did run into a few glitches on the trip that I am going to post on a new thread right now to get some input form the group before I call the selling dealer.