winterizing in eastern NC?
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Topic: winterizing in eastern NC?
Posted By: jerry H
Subject: winterizing in eastern NC?
Date Posted: 04 Dec 2017 at 8:32pm
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We're newbies to RVing and R-Poding seems to be a great way to start.
Living in Eastern NC (New Bern) we do a modified winterizing to our catamaran, but any suggestions on winterizing our 179? We did order a cover (seen in previous posts.) Thanks for any help. Jerry and Mal Harwood Our pod previous owner named it "Airpod." ------------- Jerry H |
Replies:
Posted By: riotkayak284
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2017 at 9:47am
| Many videos that show you how to do it.... Just google Rpod winterization and it pretty much will walk you through it. |
Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2017 at 12:04pm
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We're some hours west of you in Concord. Just got our 179 this past March and winterized it a few weeks ago. As was already mentioned, there are a few fellow podders who have graciously made videos on how to winterize the pod on Youtube. There are a few checklist here on the forum. Took me about an hour being my first time. The hardest part is accessing the water pump and heater valves. It's under the bed, under the thin plywood. The big pieces are a little awkward to move around. After that it's relatively easy. Buy or borrow a 1-1/16" socket to remove the anode rod from the water heater and drain/rinse it. You can either blow out the lines with compressed air and/or pump RV antifreeze through the system. Not difficult. ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 05 Dec 2017 at 5:47pm
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Remember to release the pressure valve on the water heater before you try you take out the anode!Could surprise you if you forget! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Subzilla
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2017 at 6:36am
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Yep...found out the hard way. ------------- Mark Concord, NC 2017 RP 179 "Podzilla" 2011 Silverado 1500 4X4 |
Posted By: Pod People
Date Posted: 06 Dec 2017 at 8:25am
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We live in central NC and also have a 179. I would definitely advise that you winterize your pod. NC still has enough freezing weather that can damage the water system. It's not hard-just takes a little time. Make sure you empty all of the water in the lines, first by using the onboard water pump and then with compressed air. you can buy an inexpensive plastic fitting that will screw into the city water connection and connect a small compressor or bicycle pump to blow out the lines. open the low point drains(all 4 of them). drain the water heater by removing the anode rod AFTER you release the water pressure as Charlie said. We cover the pod and also spread several dryer sheets around to ward off any mice that may find their way in. We also use a product called damp rid to keep the condensation levels down. We have removed all food from the pod. enjoy your pod Vann ------------- Vann & Laura 2015 RPod 179 https://postimg.cc/0zwKrfB9"> 
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Posted By: Tracydr
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2017 at 6:17pm
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I’m glad somebody asked this. I live in south central NC,more towards the east. I will be using the trailer once or twice a month all winter. Is there anything I can do so that I don’t need to winterize? I can plug it in,run the furnace,whatever.
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 14 Dec 2017 at 10:21pm
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The problem is the tanks and water lines underneath are exposed and not insulated. Add to that the water pickup line from the fresh water tank is also. Running the furnace or running an electric heater would protect lines what is inside, but not what is underneath. That is why winterizing is needed. If you need to use the trailer, you could leave the fresh water system winterized and use a water carrier such as the 8 gallon Hydroller which you can find online or in Walmart to carry water inside. You can use RV antifreeze to flush #2 if needed. If the weather is expected to be above freezing, you can safely fill the tank or use the city water connection, but if it is expected to be below freezing for more than overnight, you need to winterize. If it hits the low 20's and teens for an extended period and there is no heat, you could damage lines inside and probably the valves in your sinks and toilets when they freeze. Last winter, we did travel in below freezing temps by using a separate water carrier and using RV antifreeze to flush. It means no showers, but the large wash-up wipes such as those used in hospitals work for clean-ups. If you want a true 4-season camping trailer, be prepared to pay thousands more for it. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2017 at 8:02am
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Here is a Youtube video by one of the RPod members showing you how to winterize your RPod 179. He actually has the 179.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=173ozyKAcqk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=173ozyKAcqk ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing. 
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Posted By: jerry H
Date Posted: 15 Dec 2017 at 12:08pm
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. wE BLEW OUT THE LINES WITH COMPRESSED AIR
JERRY H ------------- Jerry H |
Posted By: Tracydr
Date Posted: 16 Dec 2017 at 7:08am
| I’ll blow out my lines today. That seems like the simplest thing to do since I’ll be using it every few weeks. |
Posted By: Mcjclarks01
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2017 at 8:57pm
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Welcome from Jacksonville. We had the dealer winterize ours when we picked up our 172 last Friday. However we bought an air compressor to blow out the lines in the future. ------------- 2017 Nissan Pathfinder RP-172 (on order) |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2017 at 8:57am
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I ask my service manager about blowing out the lines. He said that is one way to do it but he also said to make sure all the water is out of any valves. If trapped in the valve it can freeze and damage the valve. He said they have a few come it after winter with leaks and that is almost always the problem. ------------- 2017.5 RPod 179 2017 Jeep Unlimited Wrangler 2017 Chevy Colorado Z71 Off Road Crew Cab 2 Weiner dogs Great wife puts up with my BS ❤️ Thoroughbred Racing.
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