Winterizing TT for 1st time and have a ??? about the toilet.

[bacabunch]

Howdy,

We just purchased a Springdale TT with toilet cleaning system. I flushed the line several times and still see some residue down in the line. I plan on blowing out the supply lines. Is it common to have about an inch of water down in the toilet drain?

[lane_hog]

Not all tanks are the same. My last few trailers have had the valve on the tank vs. a wet outlet pipe.

But yes, there are some with a wet outlet pipe and leaving those wet in winter could be a problem.

[afidel]

Terryallan wrote:

bacabunch wrote:
The cleaning system, hook a hose to the outside hookup and it sprays out the black tank. The water left is in the bottom of the black tank not the bowl. Does the water ever completely drain from the black tank? Im sure im over thinking this but im sure rv antifreeze will just mix with any water residue.....

Honestly. NEVER leave the black tank completely empty, always leave a couple gallons of water in it to keep it from drying out, and causing a septic smell. I leave about 4 gal in mine with tankchem in there.

and there is no need to put antifreeze in there. Freeze damage only occurs when there is no room for the water to expand, once it starts to freeze. If you have 5 gal in a 30 gal tank. There is plenty of room for expansion.

If you have 5 gallons then your outlet pipe is likely full and when that freezes there's nowhere for it to expand to. I'd put antifreeze in, a few dollars to avoid having a burst pipe seems like cheap insurance. I say that as someone who blows out their lines because I use my trailer for extended trips well after winterizing up north and the one time I used pink stuff on there supply side my whole family hated the residual flavor even after 60 gallons was flushed through the system.

[Terryallan]

bacabunch wrote:
The cleaning system, hook a hose to the outside hookup and it sprays out the black tank. The water left is in the bottom of the black tank not the bowl. Does the water ever completely drain from the black tank? Im sure im over thinking this but im sure rv antifreeze will just mix with any water residue.....

Honestly. NEVER leave the black tank completely empty, always leave a couple gallons of water in it to keep it from drying out, and causing a septic smell. I leave about 4 gal in mine with tankchem in there.

and there is no need to put antifreeze in there. Freeze damage only occurs when there is no room for the water to expand, once it starts to freeze. If you have 5 gal in a 30 gal tank. There is plenty of room for expansion.

[GrandpaKip]

To winterize the black tank flush, I attach a hose from the outside shower to the inlet. When the system is pressurized, open the shower valve and the pink stuff goes in.
If using air, just switch from city water inlet to the flush inlet.

[kellem]

Accidentally left black tank half full one winter, no issues simply because there was room for expansion.

A little residual water left in any of the tanks will present no issues.

[opnspaces]

Ah, you're referring to the black tank flush system. Since I don't have to winterize I can't say what I would do. But if you can see the fresh water hose up to the sprayer on the tank I would make sure there's no residual water in it.

As far as the toilet and black and gray tanks. I think based on reading here for many years that most people put a little antifreeze into the waste tanks so that it can flow down to the drain valves and protect them. As far as the tanks as a whole just drain them for winter. The residual liquid in the tanks will freeze. But since the tank is drained there won't be enough ice expansion to damage anything.

In the toilet itself most people pour a little antifreeze to cover the blade seal. Though I've also read about people using mineral oil to cover the blade seal because the pink stuff can stain the plastic bowl.

Bypass and drain the water heater. But do not put antifreeze into it.

[bacabunch]

The cleaning system, hook a hose to the outside hookup and it sprays out the black tank. The water left is in the bottom of the black tank not the bowl. Does the water ever completely drain from the black tank? Im sure im over thinking this but im sure rv antifreeze will just mix with any water residue.....

[Terryallan]

bacabunch wrote:
Howdy,

We just purchased a Springdale TT with toilet cleaning system. I flushed the line several times and still see some residue down in the line. I plan on blowing out the supply lines. Is it common to have about an inch of water down in the toilet drain?

Define toilet drain? Mine just has a straight drop to the black tank. , and yes there will be water in there. If you mean inside the bowl. Open the flapper and let it out, then put some pink in it to keep the seal from drying out

[kellem]

Owned 4 trailers and have not heard of toilet cleaning system.
Make sure everything is pink with RV antifreeze and should be good.

[AJR]

Never did air only to winterize. The toilet has to have some RV antifreeze in the bowl.

[Lwiddis]

An inch is excessive IMO. Should just cover opening valve.