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12-14-2015, 10:56 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1997 28' Excella
Eden
, Utah
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 91
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Leaving Dump Valves Open
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
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12-15-2015, 04:33 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Currently Looking...
Wauwatosa
, Wisconsin
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 810
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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.
__________________
Judging a person does not define who they are, it defines who YOU are.
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12-15-2015, 04:39 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2021 25' International
Full timer
, Virginia
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 665
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I always leave my gate valves open when storing with no ill effects to date.
__________________
2024 Airstream Globetrotter 30RB
2022 Ford F350 Lariat Diesel
WBCCI 4CU 8118
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12-15-2015, 06:54 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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Quote:
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.
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Likewise for me.....23 years with two trailers, in freezing storage weather, never an issue with this method.
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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12-15-2015, 06:57 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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I also close valves because I use antifreeze.
If I were only draining the system, not using antifreeze, I would definitely open the valves.
__________________
Alan
2014 Silverado LTZ 1500 Crew Cab 5.3L maximum trailering package
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12-15-2015, 10:30 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Taos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 566
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antifreeze in the tank and closed valve
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12-15-2015, 11:04 AM
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#7
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4 Rivet Member
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Greeneville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 436
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I put antifreeze in the tanks and leave the valves closed. I don't want critters looking for a place to spend the winter.
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12-15-2015, 01:33 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Cape Coral
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 30
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He is correct in my opinion
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12-15-2015, 01:40 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2015 30' International
FREDERICK
, Maryland
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 539
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Quote:
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.
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That is what I do...
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12-15-2015, 02:14 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2007 22' International CCD
Corona
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 9,180
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Consider a sturdy screen over the open end to keep critters out. Like 1/4 inch mesh galvanized hardware cloth.
Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums
__________________
Rich, KE4GNK/AE, Overkill Engineering Dept.
'The Silver HamShack' ('07 International 22FB CCD 75th Anniversary)
Multiple Yaesu Ham Radios inside and many antennae sprouting from roof, ProPride hitch, Prodigy P2 controller.
2012 shortbed CrewMax 4x4 Toyota Tacoma TV with more antennae on it.
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12-15-2015, 06:34 PM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
1990 29' Excella
Travelers Rest
, South Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 311
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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.
__________________
WBCCI 2456 Georgia Unit 32
1990 Excella 29' Centramatics
2016 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 2500 HD 4x4
6.6L Duramax + Allison, 3.73 axles
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12-15-2015, 07:30 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,351
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Keeping the seals wet sounds like the better plan to me.
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12-16-2015, 11:35 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2007 27' Classic FB
Ridgefield
, Washington
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 580
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Closed. Antireeze keeps seals lubed. Keep little animals out.
__________________
John
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12-16-2015, 02:38 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1969 31' Sovereign
Broken Arrow
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,455
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Another "closed with antifreeze". I prefer to have the valve lubricated.
__________________
Garry
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01-01-2016, 12:34 PM
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#15
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1 Rivet Member
2010 23' Flying Cloud
Traverse City
, Michigan
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 13
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Winterizing Problem
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...
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01-01-2016, 07:35 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1986 34' Limited
1975 27' Overlander
1969 21' Globetrotter
Conifer
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 8,320
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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
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03-22-2024, 11:11 AM
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#17
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New Member
2005 28' Safari
Pleasant Hill
, Missouri
Join Date: Dec 2023
Posts: 2
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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?
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03-22-2024, 11:12 AM
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#18
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3 Rivet Member
2022 20' Caravel
Southeastern
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Mar 2022
Posts: 179
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Quote:
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
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I just didn't want to take the risk of little creepy crawlies and flying bugs getting in the tanks so I close them.
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03-22-2024, 12:49 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2023 28' International
Mercer County
, New Jersey
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 728
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Quote:
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?
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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.
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03-22-2024, 01:39 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2022 25' Flying Cloud
NCR
, Ontario
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,108
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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
__________________
2023 25' FB FC, hatch, Queen, 30A, 1AC, Awning pkg, Convection uwave.
Multiplus 12/3000-50, 700A Lion, MPPT 100/30, Orion-TR 30, Cerbo GX,GX touch 50, Lynx distributor, dual BMV-712, smart shunt 500A&1000A, RUUVI temp/humidity sensors
NCR , Ontario, VE3HIU since 1978
WBCCI# 21212
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