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

I thought I would let you know I blew out our RPod today and it went pretty well; I think .  When I got done, I looked at the pump filter/bowl and like you said, there was litterly one drop of water in it.  The reason I did blow it out was to learn how to do it, plus it is supposed to get down to 30 tonight and 28 tomorrow night (freezing or below for about 4 - 5 hours)  Figured this was a good time to learn.  Did you day you only add antifreeze to the sink drain in the kitchen and bathroom, add some to the shower drain and a little in the toilet to keep the seal from drying out?  You don't add any to your black or grey water tank, right?  I should be good.  I did drain the water heater, again just for practice.  With it heating, I don't think it would ever freeze in that compartment.  Stays pretty warm.  Thanks for all the tips in doing it this way.  Greatly appreciated.  Not much different than blowing out an irrigation system besides smaller .  

I also texted you a picture of the new location for the bi-metal switch and seeing if I got it in a good location.  Thanks for that tip also.

We did go out camping Sun. night at a state park not too far from home.  The camper worked great.  Very comfy.  Still have a sensor on the black tank that says it is 1/3 full when it appears to be empty, so will have to see if I can get that freed up with a tank solution.  The duct work I put on my heater worked great.  Blows most of the hot air out into the camper, but still let a little stay under the bed.  I always like when an idea actually works.  Otherwise a good time.  Talk to you soon.

Do you still bike some?

I don't know if you got my last text yesterday.  We are going to have to pass on the R-Pod rally as that is the same weekend my daughter is doing her first 1/2 Iron Man here in DM.. Tell Diane thanks for the invite. That really sounded like a lot of fun and I have wanted to camp in Michigan as it looks like there are a lot of nice parks.

Just one other question.  What did you say moving the bi metal switch will do closer to the cooling stack; make the refrig. work better?  

Really enjoyed talking on the phone yesterday.  I can't believe of all the people on the forum I could have reached out to, your the one that likes to bike and was a golf Supt..  What a small world.  Again, thanks for all sharing your expertise.

Al MacRae

Al,

I have only used the city water supply line once in 10 years of ownership of our 177.  That was the first year and that was the only year I used the 'traditional' 2 gallons antifreeze in the whole system.

In that we almost always boondock and always just use the FW tank for drinking, showering, and everything else yes, only use the pigtail for blowing out the lines.  In your case if you have used the city water supply, yes use the blow out adapter to blow that part out as well but the majority of the process will be done via the pigtail. 

While blowing out, leave the pump off, the air pressure will clear pump of water.  If you have doubts, I did the first year doing this, then unscrew the plastic bowl on the end of the pump (there is a screen inside to catch debris) and see how much water is in it.  First year I did this, I counted 2 drops of water that were in the bowl, obviously not enough to freeze and cause any damage.

Toilet, as stated before,  go through all outlets twice.  Toilet is no different from any other outlet,  keep open until all you see/hear is air without any mist - you will be good.