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Shutterbug57 · 02-26-2020, 11:02 AM

We are picking up our new to us 2011 Tiffin Phaeton Saturday (29 Feb). We live in Cincinnati, so there is still some below freezing weather likely to come.

I have next week off and am planning a trip to GA & AL to get some work done and a few quotes. The weather next week is to be above freezing, so I was thinking to dewinterize then sanitize the fresh tank then dewinterize at the end of the week.

My question is that if I do that, will I need to re-sanitize when I again dewinterize in April/May? I appreciate the input.

lwmcguire · 02-26-2020, 11:11 AM

I use peroxide after antifreeze as I us the on board water for coffee

If you're planning on using it for cooking and other potable use then I would for taste

keymastr · 02-26-2020, 11:32 AM

There are two types of RV antifreeze, the cheap stuff that is made from alcohol and water and the slightly more expensive stuff that is just Propylene Glycol. The cheap stuff is very hard to rinse the taste out of the plumbing and can dry out the rubber gaskets and fittings of your fixtures.

The more expensive antifreeze, ($1 to $2 a gallon more), will not harm gaskets etc. and rinses clean leaving no bad taste. Well worth the $2 more per winter if you ask me.

I would just plan on de-winterizing when you will need to use the coach. First, rinse all the faucets both hot and cold until they run clear. Don't forget showers and toilets. Mix a 1/4 cup of bleach for every 10 gallons of fresh water capacity in your fresh tank and fill it with water to capacity. Run each faucet both hot and cold until you smell the bleach, again, do not forget the toilet and outdoor shower etc. Leave this sit for a few hours after topping off the fresh tank again. Drain the fresh tank, fill and drain a couple times, each time running the faucets and fixtures until no more bleach can be smelled and you are done. If you use the good antifreeze the next time you will not have to bleach again, just rinse a couple times. Much less work.

I sanitize my system a couple times a year if it has sat for a month or so between uses but if used regularly I do not feel the need. Keep an eye on your water heater anode rod if you have one.

EA37TS · 02-26-2020, 12:46 PM

How low are the temps getting.

If it were me I'd dewinterize, sanitize and then dry winterize. Unless the temps were going to be in the low 20s or lower for a few consecutive days I would drain the tank and lines and then connect a compressor and blow the lines out with air. I have used this method for years and have not had any problems.

Shutterbug57 · 02-26-2020, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keymastr

There are two types of RV antifreeze, the cheap stuff that is made from alcohol and water and the slightly more expensive stuff that is just Propylene Glycol. The cheap stuff is very hard to rinse the taste out of the plumbing and can dry out the rubber gaskets and fittings of your fixtures.

The more expensive antifreeze, ($1 to $2 a gallon more), will not harm gaskets etc. and rinses clean leaving no bad taste. Well worth the $2 more per winter if you ask me.

I would just plan on de-winterizing when you will need to use the coach. First, rinse all the faucets both hot and cold until they run clear. Don't forget showers and toilets. Mix a 1/4 cup of bleach for every 10 gallons of fresh water capacity in your fresh tank and fill it with water to capacity. Run each faucet both hot and cold until you smell the bleach, again, do not forget the toilet and outdoor shower etc. Leave this sit for a few hours after topping off the fresh tank again. Drain the fresh tank, fill and drain a couple times, each time running the faucets and fixtures until no more bleach can be smelled and you are done. If you use the good antifreeze the next time you will not have to bleach again, just rinse a couple times. Much less work.

I sanitize my system a couple times a year if it has sat for a month or so between uses but if used regularly I do not feel the need. Keep an eye on your water heater anode rod if you have one.

Good info. When you sanitize, do you run the sanitizer water through the water heater, washing machine & ice maker? I know the ester heater ford not get antifreeze.

Milford 47 · 02-26-2020, 02:08 PM

If you have a diesel fired heater no free chlorine should go through it

Shutterbug57 · 02-26-2020, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milford 47

If you have a diesel fired heater no free chlorine should go through it

It’s a propane 10 gallon tank water heater.

TonyMac · 02-26-2020, 02:18 PM

When I winterize, there is little to no antifreeze left in the system. First, I blow the water out really good. Then I pump the pink in really good. Then I blow the pink out really good. Pour some in the traps, and forget about it. There is more to it, like the ice maker, the washer, the water heater and the waste tanks, but you get the drift -- blow the pink out really good and forget about it.