Chad, been using the cheaper stuff and the antifreeze method in several RV’s over the past 50 years, one for 18 years, for the entire winter (northern Minnesota) with no problems on piping or fixtures. Just saying, works for me. I’ve helped a number of friends who blew out the lines and had a little pooling of water in a connection point or the water pump that froze and broke causing a problem when they got ready for a new season…. Thanks for your “how I did it” videos. Hope all goes well for her procedures. 🙏🏼💓
Hey Chad, Kevin from BJC RV here. I have a tip, when pumping the pink stuff through the city water inlet, pull out that little cone shaped screen and flip it around and then screw your hose in. That will depress the check valve and makes it a lot easier to get the pink stuff in through the RV. (Then remember to flip it back around when you're done). Oh, also, the pink stuff does freeze, it just doesn't expand to burst the lines. So maybe your pink ice cubes froze with undiluted pink stuff (but didn't expand).
We use various rodent deterrents but always add old fashion Victor snap traps around areas of entry. This is how we know if the deterrents are working. We usually get mice in the traps early on, then fewer, then none. The traps help us gauge rodent activity.
Too many people doing that and the Furrion tankless water heater will trap moisture. Then they try to claim warranty in the spring. I'd advise if you have a tankless, antifreeze is highly advisable.
@@joestephan82 you must not have the Furrion like we're talking about and was shown in the video then. Even Lippert & Furrion will tell you to use antifreeze for temps below 34°. Keep doing it if it works for you, but anyone else that does not want to take the chance and have to replace the $800 Furrion instant water heater in the spring, will use antifreeze.
I can’t imagine putting any antifreeze in tank you will drink out of. We have winterized campers for 45 years in Minnesota . The latest a 35 foot Montana with a washer dryer. Never a problem . It gets very cold up here.
In 1976 I used the antifreeze method but haven’t used anything but air since. So that’s a lot of winterizing with absolutely no issues ever. And that includes 2 travel trailers and 7 fifth wheels. I can de-winterize in just a few minutes and about 30 minutes to winterize again. Which is a good thing since I use my camper several times each winter.
You guys are fun to watch! It was a good idea to have a home base for when health related issues arise. I hope Tara is okay 😊 Always watching from BC Canada 🇨🇦
Hey Chad, the ice maker freezes the "antifreeze" that you used. This type freezes but does not expand until the "burst temperature". Your water lines will freeze i believe around 15 degrees but are protected from expansion up to -50. The downfall is if you need to use the rv urgently in the cold winter months your lines can be frozen and you will have to wait to use the system until the heat thaws them out. I use prestone rv with a lower freeze temp incase i need to use the rv for an emergency.
The bottom of the ice maker has a button to force the ice tray to cycle through filling and dumping the ice tray. Push the button then close the drawer until it fills again. Maybe 6 or 7 times and antifreeze will appear. Same with de-winterizing in the spring.
Chad, don't forget to back flush your water pump suction line going to your fresh water tank. I just use a cheap hand suction pump to push antifreeze thru that line. I also pump a small amount into the drained water heater, although I know many people that don't do that and have never had an issue.
Good info. Might add to disconnect solar system if removing the batteries, either by a dedicated solar panel disconnect or pulling the solar panel wires from the charge controller and isolating them with electrical tape.
I added a switch in the wet bay so I can turn pump off and on when winterizing. Its easier than running inside to turn off / on pump when antifreeze jug runs low .
Just go to a little Beach town in South Florida and you can save a ton of money on heating cost.. I know the perfect little town if you are interested.. I am an old man with arthritis and the cold weather affects my arthritis in a bad way.. I am living out my retirement in the Philippines and married to a beautiful Filipino woman.. we watch your channel because I want to show her the snow in America.. we are planning a trip this winter or next winter for sure.. I am from deep south southern Louisiana so I do not have much experience with snow.. I have worked in areas of the USA like Wyoming and Montana and Alaska and I have had a few experiences with the snow.. when I was young the cold did not bother me but as an old man it does.. I know for a fact in the cold cold climates there are tricks you have to learn to survive and live comfortably in the cold cold areas of the USA.. my wife and I enjoy you showing us and telling us all the little tricks that you know..really enjoy your channel and all of your great information.. thanks 👍👍🍺🍻😎🇺🇸
Your ice maker should have a button on the bottom that each time you push it, it will cycle your ice maker. Someway between 5 to 10 cycle the ice maker will be winterize. Takes about 10 minutes to winterize our ice maker.
Chad, what about the lines from your fresh tank/tanks to your water pump. My manufacturer recommends running water pump with empty fresh tank until nothing from air at faucet!
The problem with Grand Design's piping system is that its a spaghetti mess. There is no standardized layout that they follow, its basically just run wherever its possible to get from point A to point B. You would think they would secure the pex in a well ordered system, so repairs would be simplified and putting less materials in, saving money. Same goes to their electrical lines.
I have an Atwood tankless water heater, it is NOT sufficient to open the T&P valve and drain the heater. You either need to blow the system out or do not bypass the system and pump antifreeze into it and then bypass it an pump antifreeze through it. Fortunately my heat exchanger is copper and I just soldered the breaks and everything is now fine, but it could have been a $1,300 or so mistake. What I'm saying is be careful.
That might not be just your electric for your RV. Our electric bill on our house has gone up almost 75%. I guess they got to make up for what they lost during the virus days.....
