|
10-18-2016, 02:09 PM
|
#1
|
Weekend Camper
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: IN
Posts: 44
|
Antifreeze or Blow Lines
Hello all, for the last 3 years I have only blown my lines on our camper(Indiana). I haven't had any issues and hit all of the faucets/shower heads/etc.
Do you all use antifreeze or only blow the lines out? Or both?
Disadvantages of only blowing lines out?
|
|
|
10-18-2016, 02:31 PM
|
#2
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: 1
Posts: 2,036
|
The main issue I see with blowing the lines is you don't get antifreeze into the P-traps or a little into the grey/black tanks to drain down to the gate valves. You could solve this by pouring some AF into the sinks, toilet, shower.
I use the antifreeze method.
|
|
|
10-18-2016, 05:13 PM
|
#3
|
Family Vacation Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: S. Illinois (means South of I-80)
Posts: 141
|
I use both methods, I was amazed at how much water was in the lines. Mainly use antifreeze in the traps and toilet.
|
|
|
10-18-2016, 07:27 PM
|
#4
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: United states of america
Posts: 1,570
|
X2 on dual process. I do both. Incidentally I've had the dealership tell me twice now blowing out the lines voids the warranty. I could see if the pressure was too high it could damage the fittings, but I have a wall regulator on my compressor and run low <10 psi to bleed the lines.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
2017 Ford F350 Super Duty 6.7 King Ranch Crew
Sold the 2016 Crossroads Sunset Trail Grand Reserve 32BH
2020 Grand Design Momentum 320G
|
|
|
10-18-2016, 08:06 PM
|
#5
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: VA
Posts: 1,720
|
I blow the lines and put antifreeze in the drains.
__________________
2013 Silverado 2500HD LTZ CC 6.6L Duramax Diesel
2023 Rockwood 2445WS
Buster, miniature Dachshund
2024: 2 trips, 26 nights in 8 states, 4801 miles
2023: 9 trips, 48 nights in 12 states, 2 provinces, 8120 miles
2019: 7 trips, 43 nights in 6 states, 3904 miles
|
|
|
10-18-2016, 08:23 PM
|
#6
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,723
|
Blow out the lines, pump antifreeze, dump in traps and black and grey tanks. Put olive oil in toilet to keep rubber gasket soft and it will no evaporate.
If the rv has pex lines, they are good for over 120psi air pressure including the connectors.
Quote:
The pressure with water cannot exceed the following
pipe listings.
• 73.4°F (23°C) at 160 psi
• 180°F (82.2°C) at 100 psi
• 200°F (93.3°C) at 80 psi
Note:
The pressure with air must
not exceed 120 psi
|
__________________
Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
|
|
|
10-19-2016, 08:29 AM
|
#7
|
Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indiana
Posts: 258
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by DavisK
I blow the lines and put antifreeze in the drains.
|
X2, have done it this way on all of our trailers and have only had one issue of a shower head freezing and cracked but that was my fault. I forgot to make sure it was drained. I also pour antifreeze in the toilet bowl for the winter and haven't had any issues with dry seals.
__________________
Phil & Janine
2010 Dodge Ram Crew Cab Short Bed 2500HD Cummins
2014 Cruiser 333RL
|
|
|
10-21-2016, 06:39 PM
|
#8
|
Weekend Camper
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: IN
Posts: 44
|
Thanks all...I'll continue to "do my thing". Olive oil is new to me, but makes sense. I'll be doing that this year.
__________________
Jake, Stacy, Brock, and Braelyn
Zinger 2015 Zinger 32QB
2005 Bentley 24 Cruiser Pontoon
Bloomington, IN
|
|
|
10-22-2016, 06:48 AM
|
#9
|
New Camper
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: NJ
Posts: 3
|
This my first unit and my first time winterizing it I did both and I put vaseline on my oring. I'll find out next spring if I did it right or not.
|
|
|
10-22-2016, 07:44 AM
|
#10
|
Site Team
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: WI.
Posts: 9,161
|
If those pex lines and connectors are suppose to with stand 120#, I wonder why we are bothering with an inline pressure regulator?
If pex is any thing like regular plastic I think it might become brittle with age. (just my opinion)
For you guys that are putting some type of lubricant on the seals and blade in the toilet---I would not use something that is petroleum based. Rubber doesn't like that stuff.
|
|
|
10-22-2016, 12:01 PM
|
#11
|
Gone Traveling
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,392
|
Use plumbers grease on your toilet seal, Vaseline is petroleum based & will eventually deteriorate your rubber seals. The olive oil.or cooking oil or some kind would be better than Vaseline.
|
|
|
10-22-2016, 02:52 PM
|
#12
|
Site Team
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 5,723
|
The average life span of PEX for plumbing purposes goes well over 50 years, it is durable since PEX will not easily obtain leaks or holes. It is able to withstand temperatures as high as 200 degrees F.
__________________
Mark & Susan
Lehighton, Pennsylvania
EAGLE HT FIFTH WHEEL | 30.5CKTS - '13 Ford F150 SCREW - PullRite Superslide - Roadmaster Active Suspension
Member - "Northeast Adventures RV Rally Group" & "Mason-Dixon Bunch"
|
|
|
10-22-2016, 03:49 PM
|
#13
|
Full Time Camper
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: ca
Posts: 574
|
The best way to winterize your unit is to head way south in the winter
__________________
2015 Redwood 36RL pushing a 2015 Denali DRW
|
|
|
10-25-2016, 07:31 PM
|
#14
|
Weekend Camper
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: ON
Posts: 17
|
For the last ten years I have used a little different method for winterizing. After opening the low points and draining as much water as possible, I then run antifreeze through all of the lines. When I am sure they have been filled, I continue to run my pump with the taps open and drain back out 95 percent of the antifreeze. I use this to fill my traps and drains. This way the lines do not sit full of the pink stuff for the winter, but any low spots or sags in the lines do have antifreeze. In the spring it does not take very much flushing and we dont have that crappy taste in the water for long.
__________________
B W Smith
2011 F150XLT Ecoboost
2011 31RK Cruiser
|
|
|
10-26-2016, 07:20 AM
|
#15
|
Seasonal Camper
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location:
Posts: 476
|
I've been doing this for 10 years on my trailer with no issues:
1.Make sure the water heater is OFF! Drain water heater and leave drain plug out all winter. You can open the pressure relief valve so it flows faster, then close it.
2. Drain fresh water tank - leave drain valve open
3.Set the water heater lines to by-pass so the water heater is isolated
4.Open all faucets (hot and cold) and turn the pump on - let it tun until no water is coming out of any faucet - then turn the pump off.
5.Open your low point drains and drain the entire system then close the low point drains.
6. Close all faucets.
7. Connect air compressor to the city water connection. Set the compressor out pressure to 25 - 30 lbs. Turn compressor on and let it run until it shuts off. I use a 2 gallon compressor from Harbor Freight.
8. Start at the faucet farthest away from the city water inlet. Turn faucet on (hot and cold) and let run until no water is coming out. Turn the faucet off. Repeat this process for every faucet working from the farthest to the nearest to the city water connection. Do not forget the shower, the toilet, and the outside shower. Once only air is coming out of every faucet, disconnect the compressor. Open all faucets and leave them open for the winter.
9. Open your grey tank(s) and leave it/them open.
10. Pour antifreeze into traps until it is coming out of the sewer dump connection. Don't forget the shower.
11. Leave the black tank closed and dump about a half gallon of antifreeze down the toilet. This will protect the black dump valve. I always flush my black tank as the first part of winterizing until it is clean, but this is not necessary.
12. You are done! The entire process takes 1/2 hour to 1 hour not including the black tank flush.
In the spring, reverse the process to recharge the system. I only ever had to replace the outside shower faucet because I forgot to blow it out one winter.
Happy winterizing!
__________________
Rick...Millersville, PA
2012 F350 dually 6.7 PSD
2006 Cruiser CF32BL
The bunk bedroom is for Haley!
Crossing the Roads with The Mason-Dixon Bunch
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|