Un-winterizing your camper

[Hoopy Frood]

FWIW, the antifreeze, a bit of a misnomer, will freeze, but it doesn't expand like 100% water. Or so it has been explained to me. But that could be one of those old camper's tales.

[sande005]

How much the "antifreeze" freezes is dependent on the concentration of propylene glycol used.
Here's an FAQ from one brand commonly sold near me:
"SPLASH® RV & Marine Antifreeze is designed to provide burst protection to temperatures of -50°F, -75°F or -100°F. The -50°F and -75°F solution will freeze between +20°F and +16°F. The -100°F solution will freeze at approximately -20°F. Frozen or slushy antifreeze still provides burst protection."
So the key is it won't expand like water alone can....

[LanerC]

For one, you can winterize with air and not use antifreeze. Then all you have to do is hook up your water and bleed air and you are done.....but many here are still fans of antifreeze, which I'm not, so that's my $.02

I set a pressure regulator at 40 psi and walk around blowing everything until every port blows dry and done.

How do you not freeze up your water pump with just blowing out the city water lines?

[MoonShadow_1911]

How do you not freeze up your water pump with just blowing out the city water lines?

Honestly, I've never done anything with the pump. Thanks for this, now I'm going to be awake until I can get out and check that! [emoji848]

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[LanerC]

Honestly, I've never done anything with the pump. Thanks for this, now I'm going to be awake until I can get out and check that! [emoji848]

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I know the feeling. But now im curious how other folks that just blow out their lines keep the water pump from freezing up? Anyone?

[MoonShadow_1911]

I know the feeling. But now im curious how other folks that just blow out their lines keep the water pump from freezing up? Anyone?

Funny thing is in every camper I've owned, I've blown the lines out every year and never thought once about the pump. Being in New Mexico we do get below freezing a few nights during the winter, but during the day, rarely does it stay below it at freezing.

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[markjamestx]

I may have messed up, but I did use the owner's manual to winterize our 2022 311 BHS. We don't normally winterize our campers, but had to take to the Dealer for warranty work this month and knew it would be kept outside. The manual did not mention anything about winterizing with a tankless WH, even blew out the lines before siphoning. Not sure if there is a shut-off valve. Question, did I mess up or not?

[4x4dually]

How do you not freeze up your water pump with just blowing out the city water lines?

I close the fresh water drain, and switch to fresh water fill with my air line attached, then briefly hit the pump so that the air goes through the pump and pushes all the water out of the lines. Bought our first camper in 2014 and have never had a frozen line. Not sure if it really works or I'm extremely lucky, but it works on paper and I've never had a repair due to cold. $.02

[LanerC]

I close the fresh water drain, and switch to fresh water fill with my air line attached, then briefly hit the pump so that the air goes through the pump and pushes all the water out of the lines. Bought our first camper in 2014 and have never had a frozen line. Not sure if it really works or I'm extremely lucky, but it works on paper and I've never had a repair due to cold. $.02

Great idea! What pressure do you have your compressor set at? I dont want to pressurize the fresh water tank and its fittings too much.

[MoonShadow_1911]

Great idea! What pressure do you have your compressor set at? I dont want to pressurize the fresh water tank and its fittings too much.

I use 40 PSI.

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