Winterizing List

[Starmaster]

Our Montana has a few items plumbing related that our previous 5er did not have. So to ensure that I covered all my bases, I made a list of steps to safely winterize our 3160. While it may be a little late, I thought I would post it here in case anyone would like a list of things to check that need to be / should have been done to winterize the Monty.

If I missed something, please feel free to point it out. We don't have/use a washer, so winterizing the washer is not included in the list. My steps are below. if anyone wants a copy, just let me know and I can email you a word document.

Dave


Winterizing Steps

1.Turn on “Water heater bypass”
2.Drain and flush water heater
3.Drain fresh water tank
4.Install blow out plug into “City Water” inlet
5.One at a time, open faucet, blow hot and cold lines, close faucet for:
. outside shower
. kitchen
. bath vanity
. shower
. toilet
. low point drains
6.With low point drains still open, blow back washer faucets
7.Set “City Water” valve to “Fill”, blow out fresh water tank fill line
8.Set “City Water” valve to “Normal”
9.Move blow out plug to “Tank Flush” inlet, blow line
10.Connect siphon tube from antifreeze jug to “Winterize” inlet, turn on “Winterize” valve
11.Purge faucets with antifreeze:
. kitchen
. shower
. toilet
. outside shower
12.Pour 1 cup antifreeze in p-traps:
. kitchen
. shower
. vanity
. washer drain (if used)
. also toilet
13 Check batteries’ charge and specific gravity
14.Charge batteries to full charge, then disconnect batteries from trailer

[navybanker]

Does anyone put a small amount of antifreeze in fresh water tank?

[bncinwv]

No, but I do leave the low point drain cap off in the winter after draining the tank. I figure if there is any residual water left that freezes, at least it has some expansion room then. Have never had a problem even in sub 0 temps.
Bingo

[navybanker]

Bingo, you got me thinking which is a task in itself! I always turn the valve off for the winter after draining. I leave the valve open for a while after the last drops come out. Went out to the camper and turned the valve to open and some water came out. Thanks for your comments.

[c214dick]

List is right on, except... I have done this for many years and this is the first time I had this problem. I cannot get the RV anti freeze to get "sucked" into the system. As much as I tried the most I could get in was 1/2 gallon. All lines are blown out, tanks drained and hot water heater empty. I did pour anti freeze down each drain. This is a 2016 3582. The convenience center is the same as my 08 3400. I should be OK but would prefer having the anti freeze as well.
Thx in advance for any assistance.

[Starmaster]

Hi Dick,

When you are siphoning the antifreeze, make sure a faucet is open so the pump can actually have some flow through it.

The other thing to check, there may be a check-valve in the winterizing connection where you hook up the hose. Sometimes these can stick. Take a wooden match and push on the center of the valve after you remove the screen in the connector. If the valve is stuck, this should un-stick it.

I'm guessing since you said it would only draw a half gallon, you didn't have a faucet open.

Hopefully one of those should get it hooking. I too like the idea of having some antifreeze flow thru the pump to displace any water that may have remained.

Dave

[c214dick]

Dave, faucets were open, one at a time and all open another time. Check valve seems to be free. Will try again tomorrow.

[Wisconsin Retiree]

Make sure to address the ice maker as well...

[bcrvman]

Originally Posted by Starmaster

Our Montana has a few items plumbing related that our previous 5er did not have. So to ensure that I covered all my bases, I made a list of steps to safely winterize our 3160. While it may be a little late, I thought I would post it here in case anyone would like a list of things to check that need to be / should have been done to winterize the Monty.

If I missed something, please feel free to point it out. We don't have/use a washer, so winterizing the washer is not included in the list. My steps are below. if anyone wants a copy, just let me know and I can email you a word document.

Dave


Winterizing Steps

1.Turn on “Water heater bypass”
2.Drain and flush water heater
3.Drain fresh water tank
4.Install blow out plug into “City Water” inlet
5.One at a time, open faucet, blow hot and cold lines, close faucet for:
. outside shower
. kitchen
. bath vanity
. shower
. toilet
. low point drains
6.With low point drains still open, blow back washer faucets
7.Set “City Water” valve to “Fill”, blow out fresh water tank fill line
8.Set “City Water” valve to “Normal”
9.Move blow out plug to “Tank Flush” inlet, blow line
10.Connect siphon tube from antifreeze jug to “Winterize” inlet, turn on “Winterize” valve
11.Purge faucets with antifreeze:
. kitchen
. shower
. toilet
. outside shower
12.Pour 1 cup antifreeze in p-traps:
. kitchen
. shower
. vanity
. washer drain (if used)
. also toilet
13 Check batteries’ charge and specific gravity
14.Charge batteries to full charge, then disconnect batteries from trailer

If you are going to do step 10, why bother with blowing anything out. Do one or the other, no need to do both. Also put battery on smart maintenance charger (1A or 2A) in a heated area.

[DutchmenSport]

I do mine just the opposite. I run the pink-stuff first, then blow out the pink stuff.

[AZ Traveler]

This is a six year old thread.