R-pod Owners Forum Homepage

This site is free to use.
Donations benefit a non-profit Girls Softball organization

Forum Home Forum Home > R-pod Discussion Forums > Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed: Winterization ?
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Calendar   Register Register  Login Login

Topic ClosedWinterization ?

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message Reverse Sort Order
this_is_nascar View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 24 Jan 2010
Location: NJ
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 466
Direct Link To This Post Topic: Winterization ?
    Posted: 02 Oct 2012 at 9:14am
If all else falls, although I don't like antifreeze in the fresh water tank, just dump several gallons in the tank.  Instead you should be able to park the camper on a high spot using wood or something on one side, allowing it to drain more out.  Like I said, if not, dump a bunch of antifreeze in the tank and just rinse/sanitize in the spring.
"Ray & Connie"

- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road
Back to Top
Bill Ky View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 05 Aug 2012
Location: Kentuky
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 45
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Oct 2012 at 11:02am
Yes I tried that but still still a little there. I when it comes time to winterize I plan on putting the wheels on wood to get them off the asphalt, when I do I'll lower the tongue jack enough to pump a little more out.  
Bill & Marilyn, Tinker Belle (Yorkie), Sparkle (Mini Dachshund) & Tootsie (the turtle) '12 RP175 '07 Dodge Ram 1500
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Oct 2012 at 8:27am
Interesting, my drain plug gets my water level below that intake, although I usually get under there and push up on the low spot to get more out when I winterize.  I agree that you need to get the water lower than that intake, otherwise the water will freeze inside the pex hose.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
Bill Ky View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 05 Aug 2012
Location: Kentuky
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 45
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 2012 at 10:35pm
What concerned me was that there is enough water that there is still some in the fitting that connects the pump supply line to the tank.
Bill & Marilyn, Tinker Belle (Yorkie), Sparkle (Mini Dachshund) & Tootsie (the turtle) '12 RP175 '07 Dodge Ram 1500
Back to Top
Seanl View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 19 Sep 2011
Location: Fredericton NB
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 633
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 2012 at 6:54pm
Originally posted by Bill Ky

While putting my cover on today, I realized that my fresh water tank still had several gallons of water in it even after draining. This was because the drain is not the low point of the tank. I used the pump to to draw the level down more, Think I will remove the hose that draws water to the pump to remove more water or add a little antifreeze when it comes time to winterizing.

Or I guess I could jack up one side of the pod to drain it. Confused

You don't have to get the tank completely drained the amount of water left in the tank won't cause any problems. there is room for the water to expand when it freezes so it will not cause any problems.  I don't like putting antifreeze in my tank because it is a pain to get out and leaves a funny taste in the water. 
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
Back to Top
Bill Ky View Drop Down
Groupie
Groupie
Avatar

Joined: 05 Aug 2012
Location: Kentuky
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 45
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30 Sep 2012 at 2:52pm
While putting my cover on today, I realized that my fresh water tank still had several gallons of water in it even after draining. This was because the drain is not the low point of the tank. I used the pump to to draw the level down more, Think I will remove the hose that draws water to the pump to remove more water or add a little antifreeze when it comes time to winterizing.

Or I guess I could jack up one side of the pod to drain it. Confused
Bill & Marilyn, Tinker Belle (Yorkie), Sparkle (Mini Dachshund) & Tootsie (the turtle) '12 RP175 '07 Dodge Ram 1500
Back to Top
dsmiths View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 10 Oct 2011
Location: Southern Ind
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 866
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Sep 2012 at 8:45pm
Techntrek is right on as usual, the blow out plug uses low pressure air to force out water forward past the check valve, if you let the pump pull antifreeze up into the system it will not back flow to the city water connection and then that section will freeze and burst. It takes 10 seconds to flush out the city water connection.
Dane and Donna Smith
2011 RP-172
2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4
lift kit
prodigy wireless brake controller
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Sep 2012 at 1:45pm
I don't consider it either/or.  First you blow out the system which removes a lot of water and clears the city water connection, then you use antifreeze.  You risk diluting the antifreeze if you don't use enough of it, if you don't first blow out the water.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
this_is_nascar View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 24 Jan 2010
Location: NJ
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 466
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Sep 2012 at 9:07am
I never understood the blow-out vs. using antifreeze method.  It's probably quicker to use antifreeze and more reliable (as far as I'm concerned).  Anyway, it's your choice.  As it relates to that city connection check-valve, but sure to relieve pressure in the system prior to pressing that titty.  If not, you risk damage to that piece.
"Ray & Connie"

- 2017 R-Pod RP-180
- 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road
Back to Top
techntrek View Drop Down
Admin Group - pHp
Admin Group - pHp
Avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062
Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Sep 2012 at 9:09pm
If you use the blow-out plug in step 2 that will clear the city water connection.  Alternatively if you don't blow out the system first you will need to use a little more antifreeze to clear out the water.  As Leo mentioned, then you can pull the screen off of the city water connection and press in the one-way valve to release some antifreeze.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Bulletin Board Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 9.64
Copyright ©2001-2009 Web Wiz