Winterizing Opinion

[grandcamper2021]

Hello all, new member here.

The new 321BH we have will be our 4th RV owned so we are experienced. So we have always winterized our campers with RV antifreeze. Just wondering opinions on using the blow-out method of the water lines and system vs using the antifreeze method. Do some people do just one method or both and any reasons for that decision. Thanks.

[NB Canada]

Hello all, new member here.

The new 321BH we have will be our 4th RV owned so we are experienced. So we have always winterized our campers with RV antifreeze. Just wondering opinions on using the blow-out method of the water lines and system vs using the antifreeze method. Do some people do just one method or both and any reasons for that decision. Thanks.

I do both

When we are packing up from our last trip of the year I pull the plug on the heater and open the low point valves then open up all the taps and drive home

When time to winterize I blow the lines at 55-60 psi then pump antifreeze to fill
I then open the low point drains and drain out the antifreeze
It gets cold here and although it may not cause damage but that antifreeze freezes somewhat


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[grandcamper2021]

Thanks for the reply. So you empty out the antifreeze via the low drain points then close it down for the winter correct?

[NB Canada]

Thanks for the reply. So you empty out the antifreeze via the low drain points then close it down for the winter correct?

That is what I do

I make sure I get a good flow of dark pink from every outlet including the toilet then drain it

I don’t see the point in having the lines full of any liquid including antifreeze

I use lots of pink but it is dirt cheap


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[grandcamper2021]

Do you leave any antifreeze in the gray and black tank or drain that as well? I have always left some in there.

[NB Canada]

Do you leave any antifreeze in the gray and black tank or drain that as well? I have always left some in there.

Yes. As I am ensuring a good flow of pink from both hot and cold lines it is filling the traps and tanks
That I leave till spring


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[Ynot4me2]

We also do similar. Canadian winters can be harsh. Our dealer recommends to drain, then blow (I do 40psi) then antifreeze then blow again. On that last step I close the grey and black gates. Then I pour 1 to 2 cups of antifreeze in the sink drains for the traps. To overflow of antifreeze goes in the tanks which should help to keep the gates from drying out. The reason for blowing a second time is because sometime the antifreeze just mixes with the water. Leave all faucets open. Dont forget to blow out the black tank flush.

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[Richter]

I’ve tested the anti-freeze before using it. I put a small plastic container in the freezer and checked it a week later. While it did freeze, it did not expand. That’s what is important. It doesn’t matter if it freezes, but it breaks things if it expands.

[LV Naturist]

You don't indicate where you live, so my opinion may not apply. Here in So NV, the lows rarely get below freezing, and even then, only for a couple of hours in the middle of the night. Not sufficiently cold long enough to freeze water in the lines. All I do is drain the water heater (and check the annode while I'm there), open the low point drains and open the faucets, relieve the pressure on the commodes, then blow the lines with air. I leave all the faucets open during winter storage. One funny note though, last spring when I was prepping the RV for it's first outing, I hooked up a water hose and turned the water on to flush out the lines and start filling the water heater. With the faucets open, water would just flow into the sinks and shower so no big deal, right? Then I noticed water pouring out of the garage. It then dawned on me... I left the W/D water valves open. Fortunately, they are in the garage and the floor is rubber. Needed to wash the garage floor anyway...

John

[boyscout]

The new 321BH we have will be our 4th RV owned so we are experienced. So we have always winterized our campers with RV antifreeze. Just wondering opinions on using the blow-out method of the water lines and system vs using the antifreeze method. Do some people do just one method or both and any reasons for that decision. Thanks.

Another "do both" opinion here. One reason is that, after blowing out the lines, when I flow antifreeze into them there's still a LOT of water pushed out of the fixtures by the antifreeze. Blowing out only blows out enough water to let the air get by it, so it leaves pockets of water at you-don't-know-where in the system.

There are people who have reported that they just blow out and have never had a problem. For another 10-15 minutes and $10-$15 for antifreeze it doesn't seem to me to be worth the risk of a broken something and the mess it might cause.

Good luck with your choice.