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04-17-2012, 12:08 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Nor'easters Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 894
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Does anyone save RV antifreeze year to year
I was debating whether or not to save it for next year. At the very least I figure I can dump the used into the traps and tank and use a fresh batch for the pipes.
Does anyone do this?
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2011 Allegro 32CA \ 2013 CRV toad
Previous:2007 Winnebago Class C
99' Winnebago Adventurer /Towables
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04-17-2012, 01:10 PM
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#2
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 28,511
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I suppose you could. Or you could use a compressor and blow out the lines and not use antifreeze except for the traps.
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Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is now West Palm Beach, FL
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04-17-2012, 01:35 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 49
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gary RVRoamer
I suppose you could. Or you could use a compressor and blow out the lines and not use antifreeze except for the traps.
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i'm always worried about this - my pipes loop (i.e. have 'U' s in them- how do you ensure you don't get water left in the loop ?
Stephen
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04-17-2012, 01:56 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Nor'easters Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 894
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I use to blow out the lines on the last coach. My latest one is not as neatly plumbed and alot of it's buried where I can't get to it easily so I chose to fire some antifreeze in there instead. Plus I had to use antifreeze this year as I had to winterize on the road before coming home ( stop over in another state where I was subject to freezing temps before going home ) so it was the only way I could do it.
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2011 Allegro 32CA \ 2013 CRV toad
Previous:2007 Winnebago Class C
99' Winnebago Adventurer /Towables
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04-17-2012, 08:25 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 28,511
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You need low pressure but high air volume to successfully blow out water lines. Move enough air and the water will go.
__________________
Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is now West Palm Beach, FL
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04-17-2012, 10:13 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Heaven's Scene
Posts: 803
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I blow out the lines too. Have done it for 30 years. Only use antifreeze in the traps.
__________________
2010 Damon Daybreak 3204 Sport, bunkhouse with Jeep Wrangler toad.
Improvise, adapt and overcome... "Semper Fi"
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04-18-2012, 08:04 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,005
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ctcamper
I was debating whether or not to save it for next year. At the very least I figure I can dump the used into the traps and tank and use a fresh batch for the pipes.
Does anyone do this?
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As cheap as the stuff is I wouldn't recommend reusing it. When you run it through the lines you supposedly push the water remaining in the pipes ahead of it and replace it with the antifreeze. Depending on how much water was in the system to start with there could some mixed with the antifreeze. The only difference between the water and the "antifreeze" is that the antifreeze doesn't expand when it freezes. It will turn to mush in below freezing temperatures and become almost solid at -20*.
Any water remaining in the mixture will also freeze, but unlike the antifreeze it will also expand. There likely won't be enough water mixed in the first time to cause any damage, but after reusing it a couple times you may dilute the mixture with enough water that it will expand when feeezing and cause damage.
If you read the bottle you'll notice that it's supposed to be installed full strength, not diluted like automobile antifreeze.
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Hikerdogs
2013 Adventurer 32H
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04-18-2012, 08:11 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 95
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It's pretty cheap stuff; why would you want to take a chance on saving it from year to year? We blow out our lines too and just pour a bit in the traps. Worked like a charm.
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2012 Rockwood 8293RKSS
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins TD
Days camped 2011 61 - Reserved in '12 so far 40
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04-18-2012, 11:44 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Nor'easters Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 894
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Takes me about 12-16 dollars worth of antifreeze to do the coach I may save the old antifreeze then,to dump into the black tank, on the way back north , if I go out again for a month in the winter. Keep a couple of gallons in the bathroom for flushing purposes ... and flush it out after I get back. I have heard of rock salt being used for this purpose also.
This article brings up my biggest worry with air compressors even though I did it for years... any contaminants in the compressor air ( oil etc... ) will be blown into the system. We take so much care to use potable water hoses so as not to impart any off taste into our plastic pipe and tank systems.....
http://ezinearticles.com/?RV-Winteri...ow?&id=3353447
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2011 Allegro 32CA \ 2013 CRV toad
Previous:2007 Winnebago Class C
99' Winnebago Adventurer /Towables
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04-19-2012, 07:14 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,024
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Well. when I wintered in Michigan I saved RV-Antifreeze by using the dry method (Blow the lines out, with air,, Several times (Blow, pause, blow, pause....... many times) Use pink stuff in drains and toilets.
Now I save even more RV-antifreeze by winterizing with the S method (Drive SOUTH till freezing is not a problem.. The full method calls for strapping a snow blower on the front of the rig and when someone says "What the {deleted} is that thing?) you have found parking.)
This brings up a comment on an old thread "Can I use very expensive automotive antifreeze instead of very inexpensive (Relative) RV-Antifreeze.. NO You can not.
But note that at the time the question was ask, "Pink Stuff" was selling for 1-2 dollars a gallon, Automatovie, 8-12.
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Home is where I park it!
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04-19-2012, 04:21 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club Nor'easters Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 894
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LOL I like the S method! however the four letter W gets in the way.... hehe
__________________
2011 Allegro 32CA \ 2013 CRV toad
Previous:2007 Winnebago Class C
99' Winnebago Adventurer /Towables
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04-19-2012, 09:07 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Damon Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Heaven's Scene
Posts: 803
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When I retire I plan to us the S and SW method.
__________________
2010 Damon Daybreak 3204 Sport, bunkhouse with Jeep Wrangler toad.
Improvise, adapt and overcome... "Semper Fi"
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04-19-2012, 10:25 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Rochester, MN, USA
Posts: 374
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Call me cheap but I do. I blow out the lines and I'me sure that would be safe. Buuuuttt after about a week I decide I'll sleep better if the pink stuff goes through the pipes.
However after the pipes and traps are "pinked" I drain the pipes using the low point drains and catch about a gallon for next year.
Have a nice day - Darrel
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2007 3912 KSDP w/350HP ISL Cummins
2003 Grand Cherokee toad w/M&G Brake
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04-19-2012, 10:54 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Country Coach Owners Club Solo Rvers Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 37,725
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stephen44
i'm always worried about this - my pipes loop (i.e. have 'U' s in them- how do you ensure you don't get water left in the loop ?
Stephen
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You don't, that's why there are people that come here every year and say they blew the lines out but they still froze and broke.
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2009 45' Magna 630 w/Cummins ISX 650 HP/1950 Lbs Ft, HWH Active Air
Charter Good Sam Lifetime Member, FMCA,
RV'ing since 1957, NRA Benefactor Life, towing '21 Jeep JLU Rubicon Ecodiesel
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