I winterized, and here is how I did it

[Dcoldwell]

So very helpful thanks so much. Never done this before so confused by all the blowing out mentioned. How is that done.

[majorairhead]

Originally Posted by Dcoldwell

So very helpful thanks so much. Never done this before so confused by all the blowing out mentioned. How is that done.

Here's what I use.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Brass-C.../dp/B002XL2IEA

I screw it in to the city water inlet, MAKE SURE there is at least one open faucet inside the trailer before starting, and at all times, THEN hook up your air compressor to the brass fitting and it'll start blowing air through the lines.

Like I said in the original post, I never have the air compressor hooked up without having at least one open faucet, so as to avoid pressure buildup and possible damage to a fixture, fitting, or water line.

Your manual should give specifics as to air pressure.

[waninae39]

these are the products i used

[revkev18]

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

Suggestion, if you have a plumber, it’s not that complicated for a plumber especially if you have one that may be familiar with an RV, possibly owning one. If you can at all avoid introducing Pink in your FW tank.

Can you post a picture of this set up??

[majorairhead]

Originally Posted by revkev18

Can you post a picture of this set up??

I think what was being described here was a short length of garden hose being used to patch a place in a copper line that blew out from freezing.

Almost all the reading I've done advises to not put antifreeze in the freshwater tank.

If you can find your water pump, and it is not too difficult to access, removing the inlet line, and then attaching a hose to the pump inlet, and then stuffing the other end of the hose in to a jug of antifreeze is not too difficult.

[Ky76Argosy]

Question. Help answer a procedural dispute. Friend has winterize by-pass and pumps pink stuff into lines, like I do, but he does not remove water filter screen. So, is it best to remove screen or not? Many good ideas and directions in this thread. Be Safe.

[Ky76Argosy]

Question to majorairhead - if faucet “always” left open how do you pressurize lines? I do process solo, and if faucet open can’t pressurize line. I set my compressor under #30 for old 76 Argosy lines. Be Safe.

[Johngarman]

What do yo do to the batteries in the winter storage?

[waninae39]

third year using the the calmark cover. never an issue.
https://calmarkcovers.com/custom-cov...railer-covers/

i also build a wrap around the base so that plowing service does not hit the AS in the winter

it does NOT flap in the wind as the built in draw strings, straps and hold down grommets ensure no movement.

unlike blue plastic sheets, this sumbrella material breaths

[majorairhead]

Originally Posted by Ky76Argosy

Question. Help answer a procedural dispute. Friend has winterize by-pass and pumps pink stuff into lines, like I do, but he does not remove water filter screen. So, is it best to remove screen or not? Many good ideas and directions in this thread. Be Safe.

If you are referencing the filter screen at the water pump, I take mine out once a year to clean it, but otherwise, I leave it in when running the pink stuff through the lines.

[majorairhead]

Originally Posted by Ky76Argosy

Question to majorairhead - if faucet “always” left open how do you pressurize lines? I do process solo, and if faucet open can’t pressurize line. I set my compressor under #30 for old 76 Argosy lines. Be Safe.

My manual says nothing about pressurizing the lines, and I don't think it's a good idea to do so. There is no need. If you read my original post, I always have at least one faucet or valve open at all times.

In fact, my manual reads that one should apply 50 psi to the city water inlet, with ALL valves open, water heater in bypass mode, and OUTLET line of water pump removed. I guess Airstream thinks that is enough to rid the lines of moisture, and maybe it is. I've always been afraid to trust it though, so I run antifreeze through.

I've not had a problem at all, and when the wind is howling at say, 10 or 15 degrees overnight in January, I'm not worried about weather or not I got all the water out of the lines.

I've run air pressure through the city water inlet and it takes a LONG time to get the sink faucet, and other faucets/valves, to blow with no mist. Lots of folks use air only, but I guess I'm just wary of that. Each individual gets to decide what they are comfortable with.

[majorairhead]

Originally Posted by Johngarman

What do yo do to the batteries in the winter storage?

Depends. When I had no electric at the storage place I used to keep my first airstream, I pulled the batteries and put them in a warm garage at my house. I'd check their voltage from time to time, and put them on a battery charger if needed over winter.

Then I was able to store in a place that had a 110v outlet, so I put a battery tender on them and left them in the trailer, making sure the trailer was in 'store' mode.

Now I have 50 amp service in my garage, and what I think is a sufficient converter in my airstream, to just let the batteries in the trailer all winter.

Part of this also depends on what type of converter your unit has, and this becomes an entirely different topic. Under certain conditions, older converters might damage batteries in trailers, newer and different model converters are designed to maintain batteries properly. Use that search bar up top and check out converters, there's plenty to read on this site regarding that topic.

[smsasf]

Follow on question regarding my own 2020 Bambi 20’ winterization process. I attach photo from the AS manual in regards to their steps 5,6,7. Step 6 says disconnect outlet hose from water pump. Then in 7, regarding winterization kit (which mine has that tube in rear compartment) it says open valve to winterizing position and then in next to last sentence it says turn the pump on until all the water is expelled.

I’m not clear on what the winterizing kit is doing. Seems in normal use the switch allows flow through. I suppose that cuts off suction through tube. But in winterizeing position is that opening up to allow air suction? And when they say to turn pump on until all water is expelled, I assume all water expelled through pump outlet which has had hose disconnected. Right?

Thanks. Stephen

[majorairhead]

Originally Posted by smsasf

Follow on question regarding my own 2020 Bambi 20’ winterization process. I attach photo from the AS manual in regards to their steps 5,6,7. Step 6 says disconnect outlet hose from water pump. Then in 7, regarding winterization kit (which mine has that tube in rear compartment) it says open valve to winterizing position and then in next to last sentence it says turn the pump on until all the water is expelled.

I’m not clear on what the winterizing kit is doing. Seems in normal use the switch allows flow through. I suppose that cuts off suction through tube. But in winterizeing position is that opening up to allow air suction? And when they say to turn pump on until all water is expelled, I assume all water expelled through pump outlet which has had hose disconnected. Right?

Thanks. Stephen

A winterizing kit is simply a valve that shuts off water from the on board water tank and allows you to hook up a hose to it so you can pump antifreeze in to the trailer's water lines. I don't have a winterizing kit. I disconnect the INLET pipe from the water pump, and attach my hose there, and then pump antifreeze through that way.

If you are using antifreeze you don't need to disconnect the outlet hose of the pump to expel water from the pump as the pump will have antifreeze in it.

If you are simply blowing out your lines, THEN you need to disconnect the outlet hose of the on board water pump and run it until all the water is out of it so it doesn't freeze and damage the pump.

If you are using the winterizing kit to run antifreeze through you system you DEFINITELY want to have the inlet, AND outlet connections hooked up on your water pump.

[smsasf]

Originally Posted by smsasf

Follow on question regarding my own 2020 Bambi 20’ winterization process. I attach photo from the AS manual in regards to their steps 5,6,7. Step 6 says disconnect outlet hose from water pump. Then in 7, regarding winterization kit (which mine has that tube in rear compartment) it says open valve to winterizing position and then in next to last sentence it says turn the pump on until all the water is expelled.

I’m not clear on what the winterizing kit is doing. Seems in normal use the switch allows flow through. I suppose that cuts off suction through tube. But in winterizeing position is that opening up to allow air suction? And when they say to turn pump on until all water is expelled, I assume all water expelled through pump outlet which has had hose disconnected. Right?
Thanks. Stephen

The photo of manual I forgot to attach.
So would you say the instructions are incorrect? Or is it just confusing? Let’s say I want to practice both options since I am beginner. Meaning, purge as much water as possible first go round, then add antifreeze.

Do I disconnect the pump outlet hose as the manual says in 6, and then turn the valve on the winterizing line toward the tube as they show in picture and state in 7 and then turn on pump to expel water out of the pump outlet.
And then for antifreeze do I reconnect pump outlet hose and use the the winterizing kit tube to suck in antifreeze from a jug? If I do that is the valve still turned toward the tube? Seems it should be, but if so, is that contractictory with first process?

[Fjord F-150]

So like many of you I just blew out my water lines and then did contortion moves to disconnect the pump intake and then connect the siphon hose to pump in the RV antifreeze. This would be much easier if I had a winterizing bypass kit installed. However, the intake tubing is not flexible enough for me to install the kit without removing a couple of inches

Question 1: Is my waterpump intake on my 2018 25 FC 1/2 PEX?

- It looks like thin white pvc and has an outside diameter of .625 inch
- fittings are attached with stainless steel cinch clamps
- some of the markings include shurflow - astm f877 / f1800 160psi @ 73F
- example photos attached

Question 2: Besides color, how is the white tubing different than the red tubing?- the white intake tubing looks like the same size as the red tubing however the red tubing looks much more flexible

Question 3: Any suggestions for online suppliers of the fittings, clamps etc. I would need?

Thanks

[waninae39]

there is nothing different for the colors.
it just show what is cold /hot.

[majorairhead]

Originally Posted by smsasf

Do I disconnect the pump outlet hose as the manual says in 6, and then turn the valve on the winterizing line toward the tube as they show in picture and state in 7 and then turn on pump to expel water out of the pump outlet.
And then for antifreeze do I reconnect pump outlet hose and use the the winterizing kit tube to suck in antifreeze from a jug?

This sounds right to me.

I think that valve, when handle is turned toward clear tube, shuts off the freshwater tank, allowing the antifreeze to go through the pump and in to the trailers plumbing system, and NOT in to the freshwater tank.

[MSL]

Curious ... referring to Fjord F-150's post, what's the clear tube with the spring inside? My 2019 22' Sport has this same tube, and it's not the clear tube connected to the winterizing valve.

[steilkurve]

Very interesting thread. I did pretty much all of this, blowing out the lines then pumping AF into the lines. Only two questions for you fine folks:

1) Pushed AF through the toilet valve but worry about leaving AF in the toilet bowl itself and staining it. It's a Thetford plastic model in my AS. Is it really essential to leave some in the bowl?

2) My AS will sit in the cold and snow at my outdoor storage place. I'll put tire covers on. Is a vinyl cover on the AC unit necessary as well?

Thanks.