Is antifreeze necessary
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14200
Printed Date: 19 Jun 2025 at 2:48pm
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Topic: Is antifreeze necessary
Posted By: rawest50
Subject: Is antifreeze necessary
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2020 at 6:38pm
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This is a question about why antifreeze. I seen a great video of winterizing and Rpod. After watching I started wondering since you drain the water tank, remove the anode to drain the hot water heater, open the low water drain hot & cold and open the faucet valves, run the water pump and blow the lines with air are the pressure lines not pretty much empty? Traps need a dose of antifreeze. What is the antifreeze if the lines are empty? ------------- 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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Replies:
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2020 at 6:55pm
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Many people do it exactly as you describe, works fine. Your choice. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2020 at 7:33pm
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Added insurance, in the traps and toilet bowl. ------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: Lear111
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2020 at 8:03pm
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Toilet valve water pump depending on climate I would do anti freeze. Peace of mind like insurance ------------- Steve Lexus GX460 R-pod 180 2017 1 black lab |
Posted By: rawest50
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2020 at 8:33pm
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That is easy. What I was thinking. ------------- 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: rawest50
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2020 at 8:39pm
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Toilet is a little in the bowl. Plus sink trap and shower drain and sink trap. If the system is air blown out. Traps , toilet etc with antifreeze. What flush it through the entire system since you do not allow it to flow into the hot water reservoir. Water pump you Truro on and drain through the faucets. ------------- 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: mcarter
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2020 at 8:45pm
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The system has no water to freeze in it. That is what air does, you covered little left in traps, but its empty.
------------- Mike Carter 2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 09 Nov 2020 at 10:20pm
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If you do use air, you also need to make sure the water pump is emptied of water or else you risk having a broken water pump or at least a broken strainer bowl. If you use RV antifreeze through the winterizing valve, this is taken care of. If you are using air, it isn't, so you will need to take that step along with adding antifreeze to the traps and toilet bowl (to help keep the seals lubricated). ------------- 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: jato
Date Posted: 10 Nov 2020 at 5:06am
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The first few years of using air I was 'wet behind the ears' and was unaware of the water strainer bowl on the water pump and as a result, never checked to see if all the water was out. Apparently it was as often temps fall below -25 C in northern Michigan during January and have never had a leak. Since then I have checked the bowl after blowing out, it doesn't take long to unscrew the bowl, but every time have found maybe 1 or 2 drops remaining inside at most. Usually it is totally dry. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: rpod190
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2022 at 12:46am
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Found out the hard way you should carry some antifreeze from Florida to St Louis in the winter. We went from 70 to 15 in an ice storm and the toilet valve popped a seal. I was able to fix it by pushing it back in, however, a small crack leaked and I tried JB welding the valve and never found it. Amazon sells a replacement which is frost resistant and it solved the problem. On the positive side, no other problems occurred with the pipes, thank god. It may not be available down south as they do not freeze, just make sure you bring some... ------------- Wynnster |
Posted By: JR
Date Posted: 12 Feb 2022 at 8:08am
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At least the toilet valve is all that you have found so far....I would keep a sharp eye pealed for other possible hard plastic water valves, connectors, and elbows that have cracked or broken. These plastic connector may not be in plain sight and if this summer your water pump doesn't shut off do to reaching the proper water pressure, that may be indications of a leaking water line which is not in plain sight. Just something to keep in mind. ------------- Jay 179/2019 |