Swaller8 -
Just FYI, none of the rather elaborate drain stuff you described is needed.
While it can't hurt to add a water heater bypass, the water heater in a TM doesn't need one. Nor is it necessary to pull the anode rod. The tank will gravity-drain when you open the four drains under the TM. A quick Forum search on the term BYPASS or WINTERIZE will bring up a lot of discussion and diagrams.
As noted in the TM Owner's Manual (as well as in on-line plumbing sites), the black plastic drain pipes will not break if frozen - they can expand to absorb the stress. If you are a belt-and-suspenders guy like me, you can extra-protect the trap by dumping a cup of non-toxic antifreeze down the kitchen sink drain. Cheap and easy-peasy.
Bill
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