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Cooperhawk · 02-04-2023, 02:18 PM

Last Fall when we winterized our motorhome we purchased RV anti-freeze from Walmart. It's supposed to be good down to -55 degrees.

Yesterday I was in the shed and checked on it and the anti-freeze in the toilet bowl was FROZEN SOLID.

Today we went back out and we had two gallon bottles of it that had never been opened and they were frozen solid as well.

Now I'm worried about the traps under the sinks and shower.
We blow out the water lines so I'm not too worried about that.

Has anyone else experienced this?

slowmachine · 02-04-2023, 02:37 PM

It freezes, but doesn’t expand.

96 Wideglide · 02-04-2023, 02:37 PM

It's ok if it freezes. It won't expand when it freezes

!

NMBluept · 02-04-2023, 02:37 PM

You are absolutely correct! RV antifreeze will freeze, but unlike water it does not expand when frozen. The gallon of Prestone RV antifreeze I have claims "no burst down to -100 F" also a note that the product will get slushy/semi-solid at ~5 F and the system must be free of water before use. "Product cannot be diluted for it to work as intended".
I also blow out the water lines and use antifreeze for P-traps and washer. Pour enough, like maybe at least a pint or so down the drains to clear out the water. I also dump a similar amount down the toilet. Maybe that amount also serves to protect the drain valves in the gray/black tanks.

Safe Travels,

Cooperhawk · 02-04-2023, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowmachine

It freezes, but doesn’t expand.

Didn't know that. Thanks.

Country Road · 02-04-2023, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cooperhawk

Didn't know that. Thanks.

That would make 2 of us! I wonder if windshield washer fluid works the same way? I reckon I need to read the jug.

Ray,IN · 02-04-2023, 06:55 PM

The manly code; if all else fails, read the directions. I've been burned many times.

Concord · 02-04-2023, 07:03 PM

Most who have ice makers know this as we are throwing out a couple of batches of pretty pink ice cubes when we in un-winterize.

153stars · 02-05-2023, 05:36 AM

Even the non alcoholic type -75 RV AF from Menards will freeze. But was more like a stiff slushy at below zero a month ago. I think the non alcoholic -100f stuff stays liquid but is about $15- 20 a gallon.

bneumann · 02-05-2023, 06:21 AM

... never experienced it but good to know.

& so glad not to be up north last few days .... it was -34C (-29F) beside our house where we normally park the RV ... would have seen it then.

Cooperhawk · 02-05-2023, 10:37 AM

In our old unit I used a liquid that didn't freeze ever. It was called VODKA! I purchased the cheapest Vodka I could get and sucked the lines full of it. It worked great. No after taste, no smell, it sanitized, and you could have a party in the Spring flushing it out of the lines.

I wonder what the HP would say about faucets that gave out Vodka going down the highway?

In our Journey it's easy to just blow out the lines.

fishchamp · 02-05-2023, 01:08 PM

Here is what I do in Canada cold weather. Blow out the lines. Pump through the anti freeze. Blow out the anti freeze. Put anti freeze in the drain traps.

Don't have to worry about low lines freezing. Also you don't get anti freeze taste in the lines. I also remove screens on all the taps so you dont damage the taps if the screen gets plugged.

tuffr2 · 02-05-2023, 01:18 PM

I did not know it freezes but does not expand either. Good to know. Thanks

jsincl · 02-05-2023, 05:32 PM

Yes, washer fluid does freeze too. On rare occasion for me, could not get windshield washer to pump fluid. Don't recall that the temperatures were extreme. Perhaps only slushy to not pump.