winterize

[Turbo Thom]

I put in the RV antifreeze the other day and could not figure out how the fluid getsin the hot water line. My fiver has the hot water by-pass and with that valve activated how does it get there? I put a hose on the inlet side of the pump and the antifreeze filled the cold water side but none in the other. How does it get there? I have a drain under the trailer for each and was wondering if I should get a hand pump and pump from there? It just does not make sense to me at all.



Any ideas?



. . Preston. .

 

[klenger]

Here is a picture of the plumbing system in my 5er.



In mine, there is only one valve for bypassing the water heater. It closes off the intake to the water heater, and opens the bypass route with a single valve. In my previous camper, it had two valves, one to close the water heater intake, and one to open the bypass route. It sounds like yours has two valves, and you have only operated the water heater intake valve. You might want to look a bit more closely to see if there is a second one.



Also, post some more information about your camper so that someone more familar with your model can respond.



Good luck

 

[Fireman]

Preston,



I noticed that you live in GA, I live in AL, and because the winters aren't too severe I RV year round. I generally winterize by draining the system, using an adapter to blow out the lines, and put only 1-2 cups of anti-freeze in each trap. This keeps my 5er ready to use and easy to rewinterize when I return. It is also less expensive, a single gal of anti-freeze will last several years. Anyway it works for me.



Fireman

 

[Turbo Thom]

Thanks Y'all"

My system looks almost like klenger's. The valve is on the cold side and I have only one. It look's as though it should flow to the hot side but it won't. I tried again. If I fill the HW heater it will go. I have a Wanderer RV By Thor of Ca.



Also I tried the air method and still water was in the line. I'm missing something and I just don't know what.



. . Thanks.



. . Preston. .

 

[klenger]

Sounds to me like the valve is not operating properly. You might see if you can remove and inspect it.



By the way, although it's not shown on the picture on my previous link, the single two-way valve system has a check valve on the hot water line from the water heater to keep water from filling the heater when bypassed. The check valve may even be part of the water heater for all I know.

 

[GeneralMachine]

Bypass

Turbo on mine it has two valves I close both this stops the water from going to the water heater, I drain the water heater, and like Fireman I blow the line's out with air, I also use my pump and fill the line's with r. v. antifreeze for added protection, and when it flows from the faucit it gets some in the drain. Harv

 

[Paul Somers]

My hot water tank has three valves. One to close intake to water heater, one to close outlet from water heater and a third to open bypass around water heater. A 7/8" socket is used to open drain on Attwood water heater. If you put pickup tube into antifreeze, turn pump on and open your hot water faucet, antifreeze will fill hot water lines but not hot water tank( reason for bypass ). I'm like fireman, I use mine all winter and will wind up winterizing mine several times a year.

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by fireman56

Preston,



I noticed that you live in GA, I live in AL, and because the winters aren't too severe I RV year round. I generally winterize by draining the system, using an adapter to blow out the lines, and put only 1-2 cups of anti-freeze in each trap. This keeps my 5er ready to use and easy to rewinterize when I return. It is also less expensive, a single gal of anti-freeze will last several years. Anyway it works for me.



Fireman

You should also drain the fresh water tank . As to the valve look at the web site for your trailer or go to IRV2.com and ask after joining Free . one gal is fine for most trailers with a by pass Don't for get the toilet and the shower hose too . Ron in Louisville KY

 

[Blakers]

My TT is older and doesn't have a bypass around the water heater - just a shutoff to the heater. For this year I just pumped the antifreeze through the water heater and into the hot water lines. It took a little more as it had to fill the bottom of the heater before going into the lines. Next spring I will put a bypass line in.



Blake