Winterization 2015

[ammobob]

[quote source="/post/16838/thread" timestamp="1448802926" author="@surfsup"]Thanks for the feedback and guidance. Hey Tinkeringtechie, is the strainer basket part of the water pump? Not familiar with that.. [/quote]Yet the strainer is in line right next to the pump but separate. Just unscrew the clear bowl and dump it out.

[joanne]

[quote source="/post/16840/thread" timestamp="1448803167" author="@surfsup"]

[quote source="/post/16788/thread" timestamp="1448472099" author="@billmoore"]..It helps a lot to have two people when you are doing this, one outside with the air hose, and one inside to open/close each valve.[/quote]I bought a male air connection that threads right onto the city water connection, so I should be able to do this job alone?

[/quote]I do it solo, using either the anti-freeze or air pressure method.

For the air pressure method, after draining the hot water heater by depressurizing the water system and pulling the hot water heater plug, I set my compressor to 40-50psi, hook it up via the city water connection with the adapter, then I go inside and open up each faucet, the toilet, the low point drains, and the outside shower (one at a time). I hit each one a few times, just to make sure.

Then (because I'm paranoid, and it's -20f here in winter) this year I bypassed the hot water heater and pump some anti-freeze through the plumbing anyway.

By doing both anti-freeze and air pressure methods, I'm clearly in overkill mode. One would be enough.

--Mike
 

[jtelles3993]

Thanks, ammobob..

[billmoore]

[quote source="/post/16840/thread" timestamp="1448803167" author="@surfsup"]

[quote source="/post/16788/thread" timestamp="1448472099" author="@billmoore"]..It helps a lot to have two people when you are doing this, one outside with the air hose, and one inside to open/close each valve.[/quote]I bought a male air connection that threads right onto the city water connection, so I should be able to do this job alone?

[/quote]Yes you should be able to do it alone. In fact, after my experience this year with needing two people, I ordered one of these for next year:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002XL2IEA

With that, I can just hook up my quick connect hose to the adapter and won't need another set of hands...

[jtelles3993]

Thanks Mike and billmoore, good input for us RV noobs!
 
billmoore, yep, that's the same fitting I bought for the job this year..

[jtelles3993]

Winterize complete.

Just want to mention that while I had the compressor and air fitting going, I attached it to my black tank rinse and blew all the water out of that line too. Also, pulled up my stabilizers and tilted my trailer down in the front as far as it would go and got an extra gallon or three of water out of my fresh tank. I.e., the drain valve on mine is on the front, ymmv?

I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas and an awesome winter!

[jtelles3993]

Winter seems to be over here so I hooked the camper up to water yesterday. Found a leak with my outside shower faucets. The leak was inside the water heater compartment area - lots of water - once again thankful for my metal floor. They must have had a little water in them, froze, expanded and cracked. I obviously overlooked draining them!?!? Anyway, ordered a new set on Amazon, $30. Everything else seems to be good, so far?!

[pinstriper]

Second year in a row my dealer missed the outside shower in their winterizing. Last year all I had was a drip on the outside, and only when the faucet was on and the sprayer closed (water pressure between the valve and the hose fitting.

This year ? Cracked on the inside. we had to abort our shakedown cruise due to water gushing from the trailer side of the faucet assembly.

Pulled it over to the dealer next morning, tech intercepted me before I could go in to check-in, asked me what I needed and to show him. He went in, grabbed a new faucet and pulled the panel under the fridge and replaced it on the spot, no charge. The only thing I needed to go inside for was to use the bathroom. He had me pull it around back and hooked it up to water to verify no leaks. Great service and the proper way to handle such an episode.

And yeah, this was ABOVE the aluminum floor, and there is a big enough gap that all the water flowed down and out instead of sloshing around into the bathroom or the "foyer" by the front door. SOOOOOoooooo glad for aluminum construction.

This is why you do your first trip of the year 20 minutes away from home.

[jtelles3993]

Good for you! Yep, first camp trip is my side yard. Next one will be within an hour to shake down the rolling gear. We're planning another cross country trip this summer. NC-WA-NC.

I did my own winterizing, so I'll pay for the new faucets. I definitely won't do that again!!

[jtelles3993]

replaced and tested.. all is good!