De-Winterization

[BigMike]

I haven't de-winterized my fiver yet and the way it looks, I may not have an opportunity to use it at all this year. I was going to just leave the anti-freeze in it. Is there any problem with doing that? Does the RV antifreeze lose it's effectiveness over time? Any other issues with leaving my 5er sit that long would be appreciated. I do have it under a cover.



Thanks, Mike

 

[bmoeller]

As long as you used "RV" antifreeze, you should be just fine. If you used a mix of car antifreeze, it should be flushed and RV stuff put in.



We used the RV stuff in transfer pumps and such at the farm. Works great.

 

[AWallace]

Cleaning Water Lines

The RV antifreeze probably will not hurt anything. If you are going to leave it longer than one season it would be a good idea to clean the lines with a Bleach soluation. Mix about 1/4 cup to one gallon of water after you flush the lines good and pump it through. Let it stay in the lines about 30 mins. and then flush again. I do this every spring. (not through the water heater) If you have a water heater by pass get all the water you can out of the water heater. I use a 1/4" copper tube bent so I can go in the drain hole and get all the water out for the winter. You would be supprised how much is still in there. If the RV does not have any power on it at least once a month or so plug it up and let your refrig. run a while also your air to keep your systems in working order. Just remember if you don't use it you lose it. These newer RV's with all the electronics on them don't like to be lazy. If you have a slide out room move it in an out ever once and awhile to keep your wall seals from compressing. Camping world sales spray to keep the seals soft. I use Silicone. Lower your jacks to keep some of the weight off of the springs and tires. Also keep a check on your batteries.

 

[duckcarvr]

i keep those moisture eaters in my rig [ i live in wa. state] and check them once a month. your refridgerater needs to be run, evidently they dont like to sit. i just had to replace mine because of sitting... almost $2000. if you can plug it in and run everything every three months, that would be better. i also put in decon for the mouses!! maybe you can go to an rv place and check on the longivity of the rv anti freeze. i dont think it will be effective for two years. robert

 

[BDeMartile]

The biggest problem with all that down time will likely be pests in the fridge area water heater and furnace. I read an article in Trailer Life about cutting up pieces of a dog flea collar and distributing them to all those spaces you want to keep bug free. The article said to change them every 3 months I believee... couldn't hurt. As far as the antifreeze goes if its RV safe its fine but if you have any fears of there not being enough in the system then add some more just to be safe.

 

[EricBu12]

All good tips above here... gotta kep using it to keep things good...



One thing I do... I DON'T use antifreeze to winterize and I live in Salt lake city where it can get to -10 overnight in the dead of winter... . Have never used antifreeze in 3 years...



I blow out the water lines...



fist drain water tank and run the pump til dry. . + 10 seconds til no water comes out.



Starting at the highest place, open faucets and open low point drains, Open other faucets and also cycle the toilet valve.



Now starting with only 1 faucet open at a time, use compressed ar at 40 psi regulated at the city water connection (adapter available), closing one faucet and opening another and then all closed to blow out the low point... .



Then take the same air with a rag and blow out the sink traps.



Leave all drains and faucets open and toilet valve open and you will never have to use antifreeze again...



Good tip on the bleach in the water lines... do that too every spring.

 

[groser]

I previously lived in Alaska and stored fiver there. I always blew out with air as described by EricBU12 then added 6 gals RV anti freeze to fresh water tank and pumped that thru system at each faucet, toilet, little in the hot water tank. In spring I drain everything, perform a little bleach flush incld fresh water tank and good to go. Probably overkill but fiver once sat in minus 25 degrees for over 2 weeks and rest of winter averaging zero and had no problem.

 

[groser]

Forgot to add to my earlier post. Pour RV anti-freeze in each drain trap. Buy the anti-freeze in the summer, it's sometimes goes below $2. 00 gal. Spending $12 to winterize is a lot cheaper than repairing pipes.