btd35
Spokane, WA
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Joined: 03/24/2005
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I have never put anti freeze into the lines and never had any problems and we get down to -10 here. I don't put anti freeze in my sprinkler systems at home after I blow them out, and I've never had any problems with broken heads or lines. Yes you do have some moisture left in the line, but it's not enough to cause much more than a few drips for the full length. I guess it depends on how long you run things blowing them out. If you're still getting a lot of mist out, then keep them blowing till clear.
I do pour anti freeze down all the drains to fill the traps, and a little in the holding tank.
Tom & Beth
05,Grand Junction 35TMS
99, Dodge 3500 Dually.
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Dieselgem
Northeast
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Joined: 04/07/2005
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If you prefer to download a copy here is a link to where I keep some files. I have a pdf in Different RV checklists, "How to winterize with air". Its how I do mine, works like a charm .
dieselgems files
HOW TO WINTERIZE USING AIR
1. Open all low point drains
2. Open relief valve on water heater
3. Remove water heater plug, a good thing to do is put a hose and run water for
a few minutes in the water heater to remove any residue. This will save you
work next year. When water stops coming out of drain put plug back in with
some Teflon tape on the threads.
4. Close relief valve
5. Insert blowout adapter in the city water source. The adapter is available at
Wal-Mart or any Rv supply store
6. Place 40 to 45 psi pressure in lines
7. While one person places the air in the lines the other should go inside and
Start with the shower open the cold till no water comes out only air, then the
hot water. Keep the shower head close to the floor. Shut the valves, then
move to the sink and do the same thing, each time closing them when
finished. Drain the toilet. Then move to the kitchen. Be sure to take any
water out of any interior spay nozzle you may have. Go out side and open
hot and cold of exterior shower then close.
8. Run water pump for about 1 minute.
9. Open all the water valves hot and cold and leave open including out side
shower and leave open for the winter.
10. Place one gallon of antifreeze divided into each sink and shower trap.
11. Place one gallon of antifreeze down the toilet leaving about a quart to be left
on top of the toilet flap after you finish.
12. I remove the spray nozzles but that is up to you.
13. Remove all liquids from the unit that may pop when they freeze over the
winter
14. Leave refrigerator and freezer doors ajar with a cup of baking soda in each
15. Leave some fabric softener sheets around the unit it will help keep bugs
down.
You will be able complete this process in ½ hour after doing it the first time. Good
part about this is trailer is ready to travel. Just close the drains and all faucets and
you are good to go. Some folks add the third gallon of antifreeze but that is up to
you.
08-KZ Escalade 41'CKS Escalade
2008 F450 Super Duty Truck
2003 FLSTS
2003 FLSTC (Wife's)
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Mile High
Lone Tree, CO
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Joined: 02/05/2008
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I do both. In general I use the antifreeze but there are a couple of places I only use air because I don't want the antifreeze there (too hard to flush out).
I use air to blow out the tank fill line from the control center so I don't get antifreeze in the fresh tank, I blow down the hot water tank lines before I turn on the bypass so I don't get antifreeze in the HW tank, and I blow down the black tank flush, just in case it didn't drain right.
Brad & Dory
2006 Ford F350 4X4 SB CC SRW Powerstroke 6.0
2007 Montana 3400RL 5th Wheel Our Rig - Our Mods
Visit Us, Our previous rig - 2003 2955RL
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lat471
Lebanon, PA
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Joined: 06/15/2007
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Can't see the use in blowing out the lines if your using antifreeze. Just takes more time.
07 Cameo LXI F35FD3
R Taj-We-Haul
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Hi lat471,
I find it saves me 1/2 gallon of anti freeze if I blow the lines first. I know that doesn't make any logical sense--but it is what happens.
I also "salvage" 1/2 gallon when I de winterize by using my air compressor to blow most of the anti freeze out. I use a cup under each faucet and a large funnel in the shower.
As I winterize 6 to 8 times per winter this is worth while doing.
lat471 wrote:Can't see the use in blowing out the lines if your using antifreeze. Just takes more time.
Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts solar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries 2500 watt inverter.
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ShapeShifter
Buffalo, NY
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Joined: 04/03/2007
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lat471 wrote:Can't see the use in blowing out the lines if your using antifreeze. Just takes more time.
After blowing out most of the water, it takes me about 5 gallons of pink stuff to fill all of the lines (none in tank, and water heater bypassed.) If the lines were full of water, and I had to deal with dilution effects until the pink stuff pushed out all of the water, it would use a lot more of the pink stuff. That's just too much money to spend to save a few minutes with the air compressor.
Also, like Mile High states, there are a few lines that are not worth pumping through the pink stuff:
Mile High wrote:I use air to blow out the tank fill line from the control center so I don't get antifreeze in the fresh tank, I blow down the hot water tank lines before I turn on the bypass so I don't get antifreeze in the HW tank, and I blow down the black tank flush, just in case it didn't drain right.
In addition to that, I also blow out the line to the refrigerator, because I don't want to fill the ice maker mold with antifreeze.
I also blow out the refer lines because I winterize that before everything else -- this weekend I will winterize the refer because with the vents those lines are exposed to the cold, while the rest of the lines are interior. We will still be using the rig for a few more weeks, and I keep everything else safe with heat, but there isn't enough heat behind the refer to keep that safe. (Learned that lesson the hard way when the refer's filter cartridge froze and split, fortunately there was no collateral damage.) If I were to use pink stuff on the refer, I would have to then shut off that line and dewinterize the rest of the plumbing again for the last few weeks of travel -- certainly not worth it!
2007 Holiday Rambler Endeavor 40PDQ
400 ISL Cummins/Allison
2002 Chevy Avalanche toad
Inside: Him, Her, and a pack of little furballs...
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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I blow mine out and put pink in to the lines. I thought once I was safe and would save some money not buying the pink, the next spring I had some serious leaks, so now I do both and have had no leaks. It works for me and I will continue to do this my way.
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Sandy & Shirley
North East, MD
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Joined: 01/02/2004
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We blow out the lines and then use the pink stuff in the drains. Just make sure that you blow the line out completely by doing it multiple times.
My problem with the pink stuff is getting ALL of the tase out of the lines in the Spring.
'02 F350 7.3PSD CC LB DRW, Reese 20K Hitch, Brake Smart, AirLift, C-betr mirrors,
'04 Everest 343L, TrailAir, RotoChoks, Wayne's stabilizer
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Pipeman
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
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Joined: 10/25/2004
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I blow the lines out after opening the low point drains. I put the pink stuff in all the drains, throw some down the toilet and then pump some through the water pump. Don't forget your outside shower and the black tank rinse.If you have an inline water filter, get the water out that also. If you have a clothes washer hook up don,t forget to drain them also.
Pipeman
Ontario, Canada
Full Member
35 year Fire Fighter(retired)
VE3PJF
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Dieselgem
Northeast
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Joined: 04/07/2005
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lat471 wrote:Can't see the use in blowing out the lines if your using antifreeze. Just takes more time.
You do not put any antifreeze in the water line,only the tanks and traps. I don't care to put the chemical in my water lines. In addition my unit is ready to go when I am throughout the winter.
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