Winterizing a T-1950

[Downeast Campah]

Hi All,

I just got done adding a by-pass kit on my water heater, and then started to pump by hand, the RV antifreeze into the city water hook up. I opened the closest cold water line and some antifreeze came through. I did this with ALL the other lines as well. When I got through, even remembering to do the outside shower, I only used 1/2 of a gallon. Is this right??? Did I miss a step some where? Anyone having any suggestions, please feel free to share the knowledge.

Not sure why I'm winterizing yet, IT was 65 degrees today in the the Great State of Maine!!!

Thanks,

Ken

[Sunline Fan]

Message content deleted by author.

[Sun-n-Fun]

I always completely drain all my water lines and hot water heater,and fresh water tank, Then i add 4 gallon's of rv/antifreeze to my fresh water tank and shut off all hot water valves and run pump until the antifreeze comes out of hot water heater drain, then plug or shut off the water heater drain,close bypass, and open all cold/hot water lines and toilet, then run pump until antifreeze comes out of all open faucets and toilet. I have never had a freeze up yet and have been in areas of low temperatures 10 above zero at times.

[chuck & lori]

We had a 2002 T1950. It typically took about 2 1/2 gallons to winterize. I just attached a hose to the water pump and put the other end in the anti-freeze jug. Other than that my technique was essentially the same as others described.

[Downeast Campah]

Hi All,

Thanks for all the advice. I thought adding antifreeze to the water tank was an easier way as well. But, the directions I had with the hand pump said to go through the city water connection. I still have plenty of antifreeze, so I'll add more tomorrow. I knew a 1/2 of a gallon didn't seem right.

Thanks again, and Oh by the Way...GO SOX!!!

Ken

[PTHutch]

Hi Ken,

On 3 Sunlines and over 10 years, I’ve never added antifreeze to the fresh water tank. I just make sure the fresh water tank is completely drained.

I winterize the water lines by:
Drain water out using low point drains.
Blow out water lines using a compressor set at 30-35 PSI connected to the city water intake, making sure the HW tank is completely drained.
Bypass the HW tank
Pump antifreeze through the lines by attaching a hose to the input side of the water pump and using the water pump to siphon antifreeze out of the bottles into the lines.
Run the pump with all faucets closed until it stops.
Then I open each faucet until antifreeze comes out, including:

• Kitchen Sink – Hot & Cold
  Bath Sink – Hot & Cold
  Shower – Hot & Cold
  Toilet
  Toilet Sprayer
  Outside Shower – Hot & Cold.

Then I dump some extra antifreeze down each drain to make sure the traps are filled with antifreeze and make sure there's enough anitfreeze in the toilet bowel so the seals don't dry out.

This has always worked well for me here in WNY, were we always get a week or 2 of below 0 temps during the winter.

I think I use a little less the 2 gallons of antifreeze. I’ll update tomorrow, I’ve blown out the lines today and hope to add antifreeze tomorrow, so I’ll let you know how much I used. Last year I screwed up, forgot to close one of the low point drains when I started pumping antifreeze through the lines. Used up almost a full gallon of antifreeze wondering why the pump wasn’t shutting off.

Updated 10/21/07
I put antifreeze in today, used just under 2 gallons for everything.

Hope this helps.
Hutch

[Sunline Fan]

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[Steve Collins]

One other area that needs a bit of attention:

When you're running the pump, siphoning antifreeze into the trailer's water system, pull the plug off the city water hookup and remove the little sediment screen, and press the pin on the one-way valve that is now visible. Hold it just long enough for the liquid turn from clear to pink and then release it.

If you do this while the system is pressurized by the water pump running the pink stuff into the system, that little section of plumbing from the city water hook-up to the "T" where it hooks to the rest of the plumbing will fill with antifreeze. Otherwise, that little section would have water in itover the winter and possibly rupture from a hard freeze.

HELPFUL HINT: Don't stand right in front of the city water connection when you do this. Stand off to one side and reach out to press the pin. Otherwise, you will wear your antifreeze....

I can also tell you (from personal experience) that the plastic parts in the toilet valves are very susceptible to freeze damage. That is an area that needs close attention when winterizing.

[Michguy]

Just bought this '97 T3060 and will need to winterize soon. I've been told that the method described by PTHutch is a good one. However I don't know where my water pump is located. I see the FW tank under the sofa but I've been using city water hookup and so the pump has not run.

I would like to be able to just siphon RV antifreeze from the jug into my lines and pump it through the system. I just don't know how to access the inlet side of the pump.

I do see a short length of tubing coming from a 1/4 turn valve/tee that is inline with the line coming from the right side of the FW tank. I don't know what it is for.

Help please.

Michguy

[Gene]

Welcome to the forum Michguy.

Usually the water pump is close to the FW water tank.

I do see a short length of tubing coming from a 1/4 turn valve/tee that is inline with the line coming from the right side of the FW tank. I don't know what it is for.

That sounds like the line you would stick in the antifreeze bottle and then turn the 1/4 turn valve. You would then just turn on the switch for the water pump. The switch is usually near the kitchen sink. Mine is on the same white box that has the switch for the LP on the water heater.

Maybe you could try it out using a jug of plain water first .... just in case ....

Gene

[Michguy]

Thanks, Gene,

I was thinking the same thing about that tubing. It looks like it is on the suction side of the pump so it will probably siphon out the RV antifreeze. I will give it a try.

Thanks again,

Dean (Michguy)

[MACK C-85]

I was thinking the same thing about that tubing. It looks like it is on the suction side of the pump so it will probably siphon out the RV antifreeze. I will give it a try.

We have the factory winterizing kit and that is exactly how it is made. 1/4 turn valve w/clear plastic tube in the line from the tank on the suction side of pump. Stick the tube in the antifreeze bottle, turn the 1/4 turn valve towards the clear tube, and flip on the pump. My T-276SR takes a bit over 1 gallon with the Hot water tank bypassed and the lines blown out with air first.

Mack

[Michguy]

Thanks Mack,

This is my first time to use this site. You guys are great.

Michguy

[pwb01]

Originally Posted by Steve Collins

I can also tell you (from personal experience) that the plastic parts in the toilet valves are very susceptible to freeze damage. That is an area that needs close attention when winterizing.

And........expensive too. The valve cost me $55.00 to replace last spring.