Travel & winterizing

[Eborges]

We live in Michigan and winterize our unit in late October since we won't be going anywhere. Well, now we're retired and are thinking of heading south only for a month then returning in late November or early December. What do people do when you're coming from warmer temps to cold or freezing temps? I'm thinking that I'll have to winterize while we're on the trip back. What have others done! I know the wise thing to do is stay south until it warms up, but we need to come back.

[harley]

Bring a jug of anti with you and winterize on the way home ...it is a 10 minute project..keep water in jugs for dishes etc.

[Lloyd]

When we use to winter in AZ. I would winterize on the way back home. Depending on the temps, usually about one or two nights from home.
Like harley stated, it is a 10 minute project.

[mark5w]

Take along a blow out plug and blow out lines at a gas station if you don't have a small compressor.

[Eborges]

Thanks. That is what I thought I would need to do.

[BillBolly]

Originally Posted by mark5w

Take along a blow out plug and blow out lines at a gas station if you don't have a small compressor.

What is a "blow out plug"?

[mark5w]

This video will help;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_ZSGDnI19c

[Lloyd]

Originally Posted by BillBolly

What is a "blow out plug"?

https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-P235...85QR4BB4S7QPRR

[Papa-T]

I’ve used a blow out plug to get most of the water out of the lines. However, I’ve always been a little nervous about just blowing out the lines. It doesn’t take much water to freeze and crack a joint in a line. For the cost of a couple gallons of RV antifreeze; it’s a small price to pay for piece of mind and not having to worry about (“Did I really get all the water out and none drained back to a low spot”)

[MartyinSC]

We have mild winters here in SC. I use the blow out method for the water lines, making sure to open low points, and also disconnect indoor and outdoor shower heads, and blowing those fixtures in both the down (tub) and up (shower) positions. I now only use the pink for the P-traps in the drains, and the above-the-gate-valve in the toilet. You can guess why I'm so specific about the showers - yes I cracked one once!

[Aceallenk]

I'm with Papa-T, would never just trust blowing out the lines, in case water pooled in a low spot by an elbow, safest bet is run a little pink through everything, drain again at low spot, for 6 liters or 7 bucks and your done, safe another year.

[coastn]

X3.

[mdbeck1]

I used to use the pink stuff in the water lines but got tired of washing the taste out. So now I just blow the lines and pump out. ...of course I'm in Oklahoma and we don't usually get sub zero (F) temps.

I DO use the pink stuff for the p-traps and toilet except for this time. I forgot it and rummaged around and found some vodka. I figured a 1/2 cup in each p-trap would keep them from freezing (note that it was CHEAP vodka).

I'll be back at the RV in a couple of weeks for deer season. We'll see how good of a job it did.

[harley]

Originally Posted by mdbeck1

I used to use the pink stuff in the water lines but got tired of washing the taste out. So now I just blow the lines and pump out. ...of course I'm in Oklahoma and we don't usually get sub zero (F) temps.

I DO use the pink stuff for the p-traps and toilet except for this time. I forgot it and rummaged around and found some vodka. I figured a 1/2 cup in each p-trap would keep them from freezing (note that it was CHEAP vodka).

I'll be back at the RV in a couple of weeks for deer season. We'll see how good of a job it did.

Bring a straw to suck out the traps...lol

[jmnsn57]

Cheap blow out plug homemade style is a short section of garden hose with a male end(you might be discarding an old one) a quick connect fitting (male hose to male pipe), and a hose clamp.


New question - opinions on propping open the toilet flush valve for winterizing? And do you leave any liquid in the toilet above said valve?

[Lloyd]

I think you can buy one cheaper.
https://www.campingworld.com/blow-out-plug


I don't think it would be a good idea to try and prop open the valve in the toilet. Good chance of deforming and/or damaging the seal.
Yes to leaving RV anti freeze sitting in there. Will help maintain the seal.

[mdbeck1]

Originally Posted by harley

Bring a straw to suck out the traps...lol

I ain't tellin' my buddy Hillbilly. He would bring a whole box of straws JUST to do that!