2016 25 ft flying cloud - forgot to open low point drains when winterizing?

[Bassmantweed]

So this is my first year with this trailer and I thought I was being pretty thorough when winterizing. I blew out all the lines. I put antifreeze in the fresh water tank and then ran the antifreeze through the lines. then blew out again.

I DID NOT OPEN MY LOW POINT DRAINS.

Fast forward to spring and I am recommissioning my trailer. everything works fine when connected to city water. However I can't seem to get any lasting pressure when running on the pump. In an effort to start ruling things out I replaced both the pump and the filter strainer. The pump turns on and pressurizes the lines after about 20 seconds (long). When I open a faucet it pumps for about 2 seconds then goes to a drizzle.

I thought maybe the antifreezes left over in the tank could be foaming in the pump so I have flushed it a few times.

Only thing I can think of is that I froze something by not opening the low point drains?

Thoughts and help appreciated.

[Fungus]

Do you see any leaks?

The low point valves drain very little water from my trailer.

Not likely an issue with low point valves since you have pressure with city water.

Check the strainer at the faucet. There may also be a filter under the sink.

Do any other faucets work? Try the outside shower.

[Bassmantweed]

Originally Posted by Fungus

Do you see any leaks?

The low point valves drain very little water from my trailer.

Not likely an issue with low point valves since you have pressure with city water.

Check the strainer at the faucet. There may also be a filter under the sink.

Do any other faucets work? Try the outside shower.

All Faucets work fine for about 2 seconds or until the built up pump pressure is released. They also all work fine on city.

I tried kitchen, bath sink, indoor and outdoor shower.

Thanks for the help - keep the ideas coming!

[mixolydian12]

Might not be the same deal but I had trouble getting pressure after dewinterizing as well. I added more water to the fresh water tank and it resolved.

[Bassmantweed]

Originally Posted by mixolydian12

Might not be the same deal but I had trouble getting pressure after dewinterizing as well. I added more water to the fresh water tank and it resolved.

Thanks. Tank is full. I’ve flushed it a few times.

Might try blowing out the lines with an air compressor as the filter was quite nasty. Maybe there is some mold growth in the lines.

[CBWELL]

Check the lines and filter on the inlet side of the pump for air leaks.

[Bill M.]

Probably not a broken low point drain if they are not leaking. I think the antifreeze mixes well enough with the little bit of water left in the low point lines to keep them from freezing. The long time run to get the pump up to pressure makes me think of an air leak or flow problem on the inlet side of the pump. That is where I would check carefully again.

[Bassmantweed]

I don’t know why it worked but I took the supply line off the pump and used my air compressor to blow out the line. Must have had something In The line by way or an air lock or debris. Hopefully if it was debris I broke it up enough to make its way to the filter.

Thank you all for the suggestions. I guess the good news is no I have a new pump and strainer filter.

[aftermath]

Bassman, I just reread your post and missed the part about putting the pink stuff in your FW tank. I sent you a PM and that is why my response was what it was. Sorry.


If you are putting antifreeze in your water tank and running it through your pump, you could simply run it through everything and be done with it. Yes, it would take more product but all your lines and faucets would be covered. Probably the best way to go by the way to prevent freezing. I choose to use air alone because I did this once and did not like the effort it took for me to "clean" out the FW tank. Had bubbles and taste for longer than I wanted that spring.

[richard5933]

Originally Posted by aftermath

Bassman, I just reread your post and missed the part about putting the pink stuff in your FW tank. I sent you a PM and that is why my response was what it was. Sorry.


If you are putting antifreeze in your water tank and running it through your pump, you could simply run it through everything and be done with it. Yes, it would take more product but all your lines and faucets would be covered. Probably the best way to go by the way to prevent freezing. I choose to use air alone because I did this once and did not like the effort it took for me to "clean" out the FW tank. Had bubbles and taste for longer than I wanted that spring.

Virtually the same can be accomplished pumping it through from the pump. There is really no need to put antifreeze in the FW tank. As you already know, getting the AF out of the FW tank is a chore.

[greghoro]

Originally Posted by richard5933

Virtually the same can be accomplished pumping it through from the pump. There is really no need to put antifreeze in the FW tank. As you already know, getting the AF out of the FW tank is a chore.

+1

Do a web search for Camco 36543 which is installed inline with the water pump inlet hose. Let’s you pump antifreeze through the system directly from the bottle in the trailer.

Greg

[Astasiewsk]

I just had a somewhat similar problem. I couldn’t get any water pressure when I turned on the pump. This was my first year dewinterizing. It turns out that I missed closing the valve on the installed Winterizing Kit near the water pump, which my dealer left open after winterizing last fall. This was introducing air into the system. I found the valve closed it and this solved my problem. Since you’ve replaced your pump you probably know if you have a kit, but I thought I’d offer my thoughts.

[2MileHi]

As others have said it is unlikely your failure to open those drains is the cause of your problem. But it is a good argument for following a checklist.

[jendon]

Is there a standard dewinterizing checklist available somewhere? We just bought this exact trailer and I’d love to know the steps. Thanks!!

[Fungus]

Check your owners manual.