Winterize water lines, antifreeze or blow with air?

[JohnCZ]

Just curious if some of you have a preference for how to winterize your coach water system.
I'm leaning to isolating and draining the Truma, then blowing all lines with low pressure air. And, pour a little RV antifreeze down to drains to keep fluid in the traps.
Drain tanks. And, drain the pump.
Covered? What else?
Oh, how to you protect the residential fridge ice maker? Is disconnecting the water line behind the fridge via the exterior hatch adequate?
Thanks.

[2cyber71]

Aquahot system I have requires only antifreeze.
Blowing out the lines with Aquahot May damage the Aquahot.
I use 15 gallons to complete it
The fridge I turn on. Pump anitifreeze thru the water dispenser . Turn off the pump, empty the water from the fridge. Then I open up ,ya outside drain for the ice maker, pink stuff comes out when I drain it.

[JohnCZ]

Originally Posted by 2cyber71

Aquahot system I have requires only antifreeze.
Blowing out the lines with Aquahot May damage the Aquahot.
I use 15 gallons to complete it
The fridge I turn on. Pump anitifreeze thru the water dispenser . Turn off the pump, empty the water from the fridge. Then I open up ,ya outside drain for the ice maker, pink stuff comes out when I drain it.

Truma also says do not air blow. But, they also recommend no antifreeze, bad for the seals. Just drain.

[kandcbend]

Originally Posted by JohnCZ

Just curious if some of you have a preference for how to winterize your coach water system.
I'm leaning to isolating and draining the Truma, then blowing all lines with low pressure air. And, pour a little RV antifreeze down to drains to keep fluid in the traps.
Drain tanks. And, drain the pump.
Covered? What else?
Oh, how to you protect the residential fridge ice maker? Is disconnecting the water line behind the fridge via the exterior hatch adequate?
Thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYuibU5AwHQ

[JohnCZ]

kandcbend, that's awesome. Thanks!
I just need to modify slightly for the Truma, and maybe run the ice maker through a cycle with no water.
Everything else, exactly like the video.

[rick h]

I do both live in NH probably over kill but better safe than sorry. I blow out the lines with air 30 psi, then put 4 gallons of antifreeze in clean bucket pump through system poor some down traps and add 1 gallon in gray and black tank. Have done 2 different coaches this way 10 yrs no problems.

[JohnCZ]

Originally Posted by rick h

I do both live in NH probably over kill but better safe than sorry. I blow out the lines with air 30 psi, then put 4 gallons of antifreeze in clean bucket pump through system poor some down traps and add 1 gallon in gray and black tank. Have done 2 different coaches this way 10 yrs no problems.

Probably not overkill in NH. Lol

[pameridan04]

The Truma is super easy. Open faucets make sure no water pressure. Go to Truma, shut off switch in closet, switch to off. Open Truma door on outside of coach. Open release pressure valve upper left. Pull down yellow lever horizontally. Drain a bit of water and pull out and remove element. Look at front of element it says this side up when replacing it. I just leave mine out for the winter.

I just drain tanks, low water valves and Truma. I put some antifreeze in traps just in case. My coach is stored in a heated garage with a 50 amp hookup.


PAM

[NLOVNIT]

Yep. Follow the instructions in the video in post #4 & you'll have everything covered.

Most people forget they may have multiple pumps (coach, washer, dishwasher) which need AF in them or they could freeze/split. You can't get the water out of pumps with just air.

[vettenuts]

Originally Posted by rick h

I do both live in NH probably over kill but better safe than sorry. I blow out the lines with air 30 psi, then put 4 gallons of antifreeze in clean bucket pump through system poor some down traps and add 1 gallon in gray and black tank. Have done 2 different coaches this way 10 yrs no problems.

I do the same, then add seal conditioner to both toilets.

[Soppy]

Originally Posted by rick h

I do both live in NH probably over kill but better safe than sorry. I blow out the lines with air 30 psi, then put 4 gallons of antifreeze in clean bucket pump through system poor some down traps and add 1 gallon in gray and black tank. Have done 2 different coaches this way 10 yrs no problems.

I go one step more . After I pump the antifreeze through the system , I blow it out with air again then drain whatever is left in the tanks. The hot water tank is bypassed and drained.

I had to replace the lines on my class C yrs ago when it was not winterized properly. After that painful job , I'm not taking any chances.

[JohnCZ]

Originally Posted by pameridan04

The Truma is super easy. Open faucets make sure no water pressure. Go to Truma, shut off switch in closet, switch to off. Open Truma door on outside of coach. Open release pressure valve upper left. Pull down yellow lever horizontally. Drain a bit of water and pull out and remove element. Look at front of element it says this side up when replacing it. I just leave mine out for the winter.

I just drain tanks, low water valves and Truma. I put some antifreeze in traps just in case. My coach is stored in a heated garage with a 50 amp hookup.


PAM

Thanks. Great tips.

[JohnCZ]

kandcbend, thanks again for the video. I followed that to a T, except a couple different steps for the Truma.
Took a lil less than an hour.
I did this at Red Bay Acres just before dropping the coach off at Tiffin service center Monday morning.

[09 harley]

Air