Winter storage

[Relie]

What, if anything, do you guys put in your black water tank for winter storage. Thanks !

Dave

[Gene]

"The Pink Stuff"

Good question.

When I winterize I blow out the water lines with air then I always run some RV Antifreeze (AKA "The Pink Stuff") through the toilet flush line so the valve doesn't freeze and burst. Some of that gets dumped into the black tank that was emptied on the last campout of the season.

Also, make sure there is some pink stuff in the toilet bowl so the seal doesn't dry out.

I am sure others have a different variation on how they do it.

[krazedave]

When winterizing my own trailer and the ones at work, I run antifreeze through all faucets, shower (inside and outside if it has one) and toilet. I then pour any leftover into all drains. When done I open the grey water valve and drain because what is in that line is diluted with water. The black water system I don't worry about because of the size of drain pipe. I have seen grey water drain pipes crack because of freezing with the diluted water and antifreeze.

[Relie]

Thanks gang, that was a big help. This will be my first time winterizing on my own. Still trying to figure out how you get it( the pink stuff) into the lines.

[MACK C-85]

A simple mod is to put a three way valve into the line between the fresh water tank and the pump. You add a piece of hose to the third opening of the valve long enough to go into your bottle of pink stuff. Valve set in line you get water, set to your new hose you get pink stuff. Check around your pump, winterizing kits were a factory option.

[Makers Mark]

Also don't forget to bleed the low point drains with pink stuff or air.
Boy, I hate this subject!

[Relie]

Originally Posted by Makers Mark

Also don't forget to bleed the low point drains with pink stuff or air.
Boy, I hate this subject!

Low point drains......that's a new one for me.. Where do I find them?

Dave

[Makers Mark]

Low point drains on my 2363 were in a cabinet under the stove. Just two valves that drain the hot and cold lines. In each model they are easy to find as there are two PEX tubes that usually come out of the underbelly together. Above that location you should fine the valves that open and close them. I may be a bit paranoid but I want to be sure the pink anti freeze get to those valves too. Did I mention how much I hate this topic??
MM

[Relie]

Thanks! You guys are so much help. I'll look into this tomorrow. Time to close is getting close.

Dave

[krazedave]

One thing I forgot about and with the cold this last winter some customers who winterize their trailer had broken lines or cracked city water hookups. When everything else is winterized, turn off the pump and relieve the water pressure by opening the hot and cold on one faucet. Go to the city water hookup and turn the strainer washer so the screen presses the back flow preventer in. Then turn the pump back on for a couple seconds. Then put the strainer washer in the right way. Another thing is that the anti freeze will not freeze solid but will solidify some and expand. On the older trailers with gray water lines it sometimes becomes a problem. So I would use the -50 for them.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Makers Mark

... Boy, I hate this subject!

Nooooooooo ...... not time yet. We still have one more trip planned to Acadia for Columbus day and probably as soon as we get home it will be time to ......................

[Makers Mark]

Originally Posted by Gene

Nooooooooo ...... not time yet. We still have one more trip planned to Acadia for Columbus day and probably as soon as we get home it will be time to ......................

And we have one more planned in Narragansett, funny how we all move around like chess pieces. One leaves RI, another comes in.
Then I will have to.......lets just say I will utilize the pink stuff.

[Relie]

Mark, where are you going to stay in Naragansett?

Dave

[Makers Mark]

At Fisherman's Memorial.

[Relie]

Mark, if you haven't been there you're going to love it. Nice sites. I don't think there's a bad one in there. We have been seasonal this year right down the road. We love RI and decided to come back this year after 40+ years away. Glad we came back. Enjoy!

Dave

[Makers Mark]

Not to completely hijack this thread, perhaps you could PM me where you are camping seasonal. Someday post retirement, lord willing, I would be interested in spending a summer near there. Thanks,
MM

[jim44646]

Winterize? I'm pulling my Sunny to Fl. mid Oct. for at least 2 weeks. I'd stay longer but DW says no

[Relie]

Originally Posted by Makers Mark

Not to completely hijack this thread, perhaps you could PM me where you are camping seasonal. Someday post retirement, lord willing, I would be interested in spending a summer near there. Thanks,
MM

PM sent!

[nwsherwood]

Hello, I'm just winterizing my Advancer for the first time, and am having a problem using the water pump to circulate the antifreeze through the entire system. I've been able to circulate the pink stuff through to the bathroom sink and commode with the bathroom faucet cold water faucet is on, but once I close it, the pump stops working. Can you give me any suggestions?

[MACK C-85]

There is a pressure switch on the pump. When you don't have a valve open, the pressure builds up and turns off the pump. Move on to the next valve when you open it the pressure drops and the pump will come back on.