Thread: Winterizing
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Old 10-17-2006, 10:51 AM   #8
Bill & Lisa
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Virginia doesn't get as cold as Michigan in the winter (I grew up in Michigan) but we used our TM year round last year and intend on continuing to do so this year going out at least once a month. That means we "winterize" at the end of every campout.

Once you have drained everything it IS a great idea to momentarily run your water pump to push out any water still in the impeller but don't over do it as the impeller is normally cooled by the water it moves and you don't want to melt your impeller vanes.

From experience you WILL NOT drain the hot water tank if you just open the valves on the bottom. You MUST open at least one set of faucetts inside and best to open all. If you do this as you are breaking down to leave it will be obvious from the steam comming off of the water stream that the hot water tank is draining.

I leave the drain valves open and the ride home does tend to help shake out some final bits of water. Draining the water supply system WILL NOT get all of the water out of your Gray tank or your plumbing air traps (the U shape in the piping under the sink and tub) so a little bit of antifreeze poured down both definately will not hurt and may be needed for an area where there will be a good hard freeze. (Water as it freezes expands reaching it's max expansion at around 4F after which it will actually contract as it gets colder).

Bill
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