Antifreeze in black tank flush?

[philly_air]

I’m a newbie winterizing for the first time. I’m using on of the Camco hand pumps.

I’m wondering if it’s typical to pump antifreeze into your black tank flush?

Thanks!

[wulfraat]

I do.

I poor a gallon into the black tank to ensure that the valve where you connect your discharge hose does not freeze.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by philly_air

I’m a newbie winterizing for the first time. I’m using on of the Camco hand pumps.

I’m wondering if it’s typical to pump antifreeze into your black tank flush?

Thanks!

I would recommend pumping some RV anti-freeze through the black water flush fitting on the outside of your trailer (as well as using air to blow out any water in the fitting.)

[Bobbo]

Yes. Any water in that hose/fitting can freeze too. Or, just blow it out.

[Too tall]

I have one of these, good enough?

https://www.amazon.com/Koehler-Enter...2%3A1248861011

[Shacksman]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

I do.

I poor a gallon into the black tank to ensure that the valve where you connect your discharge hose does not freeze.

It won't freeze if you leave it open.

[Bobbo]

Originally Posted by Shacksman

It won't freeze if you leave it open.

No, but you risk getting rodents building a nest in there. It has happened.

[PKI]

I think your question was answered above by several folks as yes. For anyone who believes the question is about the dump valves, it is not. Does the "black tank flush" need AF, was the question. That is the hose connection that uses shore water to flush the tank clean when it is dumped. Folks have reported the internal fittings have failed when water remained in that circuit and froze. I assumed there is a backflow fitting to keep waste from entering the shore water source, but have never looked at the schematic. Not sure what the proper method would be, but pumping it full of AF and blowing it out should work. Pat

[philly_air]

Thanks for all the reply's. I've taken your advise and pumped some antifreeze through the black tank flush fitting in anticipation of freezing weather here in Philadelphia tomorrow night.

Really appreciate this community and all the good advise for this newbie. Thanks!

[pcskier]

Originally Posted by philly_air

Thanks for all the reply's. I've taken your advise and pumped some antifreeze through the black tank flush fitting in anticipation of freezing weather here in Philadelphia tomorrow night.

Really appreciate this community and all the good advise for this newbie. Thanks!

You are set. There is a backflow valve inside the coach that won't necessarily drain completely and will have water left in it. This is the failure point. It's a cheap clear plastic valve, on most any trailer you can see it usually if you look at the interior wall opposite the exterior fitting. Sometimes it's easily accessible, and you can just unscrew the fittings to manually drain it. But blowing with compressed air or pumping anti freeze will cover it.

[CGFox]

This will be our first winter as new Airstream owners and after reading this thread, I realize I need to do this also. We just winterized last week but did not focus on this flush point. What is the best way to "pump anti freeze" into this black tank flush connection?

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by CGFox

This will be our first winter as new Airstream owners and after reading this thread, I realize I need to do this also. We just winterized last week but did not focus on this flush point. What is the best way to "pump anti freeze" into this black tank flush connection?

That's one line I just blow out well. It's short and mostly vertical lines. Never been a problem. Trailer has been through 11 winters.

[Bobbo]

Originally Posted by CGFox

This will be our first winter as new Airstream owners and after reading this thread, I realize I need to do this also. We just winterized last week but did not focus on this flush point. What is the best way to "pump anti freeze" into this black tank flush connection?

I just blew mine out, but if you want antifreeze in there, attach a short hose to the connection, hold the hose upright and pour antifreeze into the hose using a funnel.