Winterizing
Printed From: r-pod Nation
Category: Forest River r-pod
Forum Name: Maintenance Issues, Tips and Tricks
Forum Description: Have you ever wondered how something works? Found a good way to do something? Discovered the hard way what NOT to do? Share them here.
URL: http://www.rpodNation.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4411
Printed Date: 23 Apr 2024 at 7:06pm
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Topic: Winterizing
Posted By: DessertPod
Subject: Winterizing
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2015 at 3:48pm
| Is there a way considered best for winterizing? Something just scares me about putting RV antifreeze in something I might drink out of. I think I am going to go with the compressed air method. Any tips or tricks for winterizing a 2015 176-T? |
Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2015 at 8:35pm
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RV antifreeze is totally potable. It's mostly alcohol. I use air to get as much water out as possible, then pink stuff to make sure any pockets that didn't drain well are protected. Literally, millions of RV's get winterized with pink stuff every year. It's OK, it's safe, it works. ------------- Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie. '11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295 http://www.rpodnation.com/some-of-our-mods-so-far-with-pics_topic2786.html" rel="nofollow - FurPodsMods '17 Ford F250 CCSB |
Posted By: DessertPod
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2015 at 8:58pm
| What size is the h2o heater drain plug? |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2015 at 12:56pm
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27mm or 1 1/16th in. ------------- Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie. '11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295 http://www.rpodnation.com/some-of-our-mods-so-far-with-pics_topic2786.html" rel="nofollow - FurPodsMods '17 Ford F250 CCSB |
Posted By: DessertPod
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2015 at 4:02pm
| thanks, and according to the manual I just put the rv antifreeze into the fresh water tank and turn the pump on (drain H2O heater/bypass). that sounds alot easier than doing it at the pump. I can't seem to get all the water out of the indoor shower. I may have to do antifreeze and air. It gets down to -30 where we live. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2015 at 9:02am
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You can put it into the FW tank I guess, but you will probably need several gallons to get it through the system that way. After bypassing the water heater, less than a gallon is needed to be sucked into the pump, which is really easy to do, the hose is provided and hooked up from the factory. Just stick the hose in the bottle, turn the valve to feed from the hose instead of FW tank, turn on each valve one at a time and flush toilet, until you get solid pink. Don't forget to put a couple cups down each drain also. ------------- Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie. '11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295 http://www.rpodnation.com/some-of-our-mods-so-far-with-pics_topic2786.html" rel="nofollow - FurPodsMods '17 Ford F250 CCSB |
Posted By: DessertPod
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2015 at 11:04am
| yea, I have to be a contortionist to get to the pump. it is under the kitchen. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 18 Sep 2015 at 8:50pm
Most are... ------------- Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie. '11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295 http://www.rpodnation.com/some-of-our-mods-so-far-with-pics_topic2786.html" rel="nofollow - FurPodsMods '17 Ford F250 CCSB |
Posted By: DessertPod
Date Posted: 21 Sep 2015 at 4:22pm
| oh man, thanks. I would have never figured out to just pop that panel off. Then i turn the lever . Mine has a little clear filter looking thing on it. Do I take that off? |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2015 at 5:41pm
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Leave the filter in place, the anti freeze will run through it. ------------- Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie. '11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295 http://www.rpodnation.com/some-of-our-mods-so-far-with-pics_topic2786.html" rel="nofollow - FurPodsMods '17 Ford F250 CCSB |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 27 Dec 2015 at 10:07pm
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I realize I am quite late in posting on this however I wanted to add my 1 cents worth. We have a 2011 model 177 and after the first winter of winterizing with RV antifreeze and fussing around with several attempts to rid the tank of that nasty taste and finally got rid of I have been a firm believer of the compressed air method. This is our 4th year using compressed air, takes about 30 seconds, and 1 pint of antifreeze for the traps and we have had zero problems. I am located in northern Michigan where we do get very rather cold during the winter months. I know of quite a few others who use this method and none of them have had problems either. ------------- God's Pod '11 model 177 '13 Ford Explorer Jim & Diane by beautiful Torch Lake |
Posted By: DessertPod
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2016 at 4:25pm
| thanks for reply. I went with the compressed air. worked great. |
Posted By: johnbryanpeters
Date Posted: 09 Oct 2016 at 8:17pm
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I have been messing around with winterizing my RP-171 for the first time... - In trying to clean black water tank after emptying it, the vacuum breaker pissed all sorts of water in the wall between bedroom and bathroom, still trying to sort that out... - Pulled sacrificial anode and drained hot water tank after making absolutely sure electric heater was turned off, vacuumed residual water out of tank with the help of a piece of Tygon tubing... - Used compressed air to blow most of the residual water out of various and sundry lines... - Opened freshwater tank and low point drains... - Read manufacturer's manual for water pump, discovered that it's OK running dry, disconnected the output side and fired up the vacuum cleaner, turned on the pump, discovering that fresh water tank retains quite a few gallons of water after draining. Also discovered that one can route much of that to the pump by pushing up on the bottom of the tank. Planning to replace ell coming out of tank with a tee and another low point drain. I will be able to open the drain and "kneel" the trailer by lowering the tongue jack to dump residual water from tank and line. Really don't want to put antifreeze in the fresh water tank. - Vacuumed out all the traps and the toilet; removed trap under kitchen sink. Planning to put a cup of antifreeze in shower and bathroom sink traps. - Planning to leave black and gray water drains open and clamp some screening over drain to discourage critters. - Refrigerator turned off, cleaned, door open.Interesting learning exercise. |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 10 Oct 2016 at 1:26pm
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You don't need to go thru all that with the FW holding tank. The small amount of water it holds can't hurt anything. When you suck up the anti freeze with the pump, it will fill the filter and pump with anti freeze. That's all the protection they need. Any water left in the pex lines is no big deal, it's freeze damage proof. Believe it or not, what you are REALLY trying to protect is the fittings, the fixtures, and the traps. The lines themselves are fine. ------------- Mark, Susie, Micah, and The Maggie. '11 RP177(sold) '17 Lance 2295 http://www.rpodnation.com/some-of-our-mods-so-far-with-pics_topic2786.html" rel="nofollow - FurPodsMods '17 Ford F250 CCSB |