winterizing an Rpod 178 - Event Date: 06 Apr 2021 - 12 Apr 2021

Before starting this process close your 2 or 3 winterizing valves then drain your HW tank and flush out with a garden hose.  Open your 2 low point drains until dry and re-install.

We have used compressed air to blow out our 177 for 9 years.  Air pressure is set at 80 psi and the air chuck is inserted in the pigtail that is downstream from the 3 way valve (on ours it is located under the sink).  It is the same short hose that is used when using rv antifreeze to winterize the whole system.

BEFORE turning pressure on, open the 3 way valve and OPEN one hot or cold faucet.  Turn pressure on and leave your H or C open until only air comes out, at this point open a 2nd valve to repeat this process and then close the first.  Repeat this process, always leaving one valve open until you get to all of them including your Thetford toilet.  Total process takes just under 2 minutes on a 177 going through each valve 2 times.  When complete remove your air gun from the pigtail and remember to turn your 3 way valve back to the original position otherwise come next spring you are going to wonder why your pump doesn't move water.  Ask me how I know.

When complete a total of 16 oz. rv antifreeze is used for the 2 sink and 1 shower drain as well as a small amount for the top of the toilet to keep the seal moist throughout the winter. 

Just to double check when completed you may want to unscrew your low point drains once again to verify lines are dry (you may have a few drops of water left) and unscrew the plastic bowl that is attached to the water pump for the same reason.  I did this the first couple years but finding only a drop or two left both times, no longer do that step.  Location northern Michigan.

First year did the traditional 2 gallons antifreeze through all lines.  Yes, it worked but was unhappy with the nasty antifreeze taste and went through a few mixtures of white vinegar and lemon juice to rid the lines of the taste.  Since then it has been compressed air only with no negative results.  Good luck.