Leaving Dump Valves Open

[HankO]

Hi all,

I just was talking to a mechanic friend of mine that owns a RV campground, he seems to know a lot about RV's. We were talking about winterizing the RV and he said it is important to leave the dump valves in there open position when putting the RV away for the winter, as this saves the seals from freezing against another object and causing premature failure of the seal. I'd never heard of this before, but I trusted him and besides I just spent a ton of money replacing all my seals last year and don't want to go through that again. Has anybody had any issues doing this?

Hank

[GeocamperAS]

I drain all my tanks but that doesn't necessarily mean all the water is out. All it takes is a tablespoon to freeze and have nowhere to expand but to break something. So I always add about a 1/2 gallon of RV anti-freeze to each tank. The anti-freeze helps keep the seals lubricated.
Leaving the value open wouldn't work for me.

[IanPoulin]

I always leave my gate valves open when storing with no ill effects to date.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by GeocamperAS

I drain all my tanks but that doesn't necessarily mean all the water is out. All it takes is a tablespoon to freeze and have nowhere to expand but to break something. So I always add about a 1/2 gallon of RV anti-freeze to each tank. The anti-freeze helps keep the seals lubricated.
Leaving the value open wouldn't work for me.

Likewise for me.....23 years with two trailers, in freezing storage weather, never an issue with this method.

[A W Warn]

I also close valves because I use antifreeze.

If I were only draining the system, not using antifreeze, I would definitely open the valves.

[kdickinson]

antifreeze in the tank and closed valve

[jimfa440]

I put antifreeze in the tanks and leave the valves closed. I don't want critters looking for a place to spend the winter.

[jeffbec51]

He is correct in my opinion

[Doc Foster]

Originally Posted by jimfa440

I put antifreeze in the tanks and leave the valves closed. I don't want critters looking for a place to spend the winter.

That is what I do...

[rmkrum]

Consider a sturdy screen over the open end to keep critters out. Like 1/4 inch mesh galvanized hardware cloth.


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[dcasr]

For 44 years I have drained the tanks and put in potable RV antifreeze and closed the valves leaving enough antifreeze in the tank to cover part or most of the valve. It has worked for me from northern Montana to California to Atlanta. If I leave the vaves open and uncovered except for critter mesh, I'm afraid that the valves would dry out. Just saying this is what has worked for me for 44 years.

[CRH]

Keeping the seals wet sounds like the better plan to me.

[Woosch]

Closed. Antireeze keeps seals lubed. Keep little animals out.

[garry]

Another "closed with antifreeze". I prefer to have the valve lubricated.

[Larry49684]

I have a problem that is stumping me. Hoping that someone can bail me out. This year I have a new (used) 23ft Flying Cloud - 2010. I have been doing this winterizing process with my RVs for over 40 years without any problem, including an old AS. Winterizing the AS this year, I disconnected the intake on the water pump and attached my tube to take in the anti-freeze. The problem is the anti-freeze would go back into the water tank. The by-passed valves are set correctly for winterizing. Is there something that I am missing? My only thought is maybe a check valve is failing somewhere in the system? But then again the system holds pressure when using the water pump. My dealer which is 1,200 miles away told me to put the anti-freeze in the tank and feed it from there? Not too crazy about that idea. The winter storage for our unit is in Coastal Alabama so I still have time to get on top of this! Perplexed and/or confused...

[dbj216]

Hi larry 49584. Welcome to Air Forums. I'll bet someone more knowledgeable than me will help solve this problem. But here are some thoughts:

The "anti freeze" valve on the intake side of the pump typically blocks the fresh water line. Thus the pump only draws anti freeze from the hose and jug.

Sometimes opening a faucet helps the pump develop some flow.

If you have anti freeze draining back to your fresh water tank, there might be something amiss with the valve.

David

[donma]

because my 2005 safari is in a permanent setting is there any issue with leaving the fresh water tank valve open to avoid the overflow I get when I'm hooked up to outside water source?

[RickBullotta]

Originally Posted by HankO

Hi all,

I just was talking to a mechanic friend of mine that owns a RV campground, he seems to know a lot about RV's. We were talking about winterizing the RV and he said it is important to leave the dump valves in there open position when putting the RV away for the winter, as this saves the seals from freezing against another object and causing premature failure of the seal. I'd never heard of this before, but I trusted him and besides I just spent a ton of money replacing all my seals last year and don't want to go through that again. Has anybody had any issues doing this?

Hank

I just didn't want to take the risk of little creepy crawlies and flying bugs getting in the tanks so I close them.

[jeffb831]

Originally Posted by donma

because my 2005 safari is in a permanent setting is there any issue with leaving the fresh water tank valve open to avoid the overflow I get when I'm hooked up to outside water source?

What valve are you talking about on the fresh water tank?

Unless there is a problem with the pump check valve, the water tank shouldn't be filled when connected to an outside water source.

[waninae39]

open the valves, let them drain, then close them

small animals like mice would like to go through the pipe, eat the plastic and make a winter home