Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Winterize

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Winterize

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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15864
Printed Date: 09 May 2025 at 9:54am
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Topic: Winterize

Posted By: CarolinaBlu
Subject: Winterize
Date Posted: 05 Oct 2023 at 8:30pm

My question is,,, we took our rpod190 out once. It is new. We weren’t able to use the shower or toilet due to leak under rpod. Since we weren’t able to use,,, do we still need to winterize?

Replies:

Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 06 Oct 2023 at 6:19am

Yes, you need to remove the residual water from the entire plumbing system, potable or waste. Hopefully, you got your leak fixed. There are a number of discussions in the archives on how to winterize and the pros/cons of using air to blow out the water lines. Also, there are lots of videos on the internet showing how to do it. There will probably be a little water on the bottom of the waste water tanks after you have drained them, but there is no need to worry about that as there is plenty of room for ice expansion in those tanks for the small amount of liquid that doesn't drain out.

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Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost

Posted By: Rdenniso
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2023 at 12:55pm

Is there any source of diagrams or just pictures to aid newbie's in winterizing their 2022 RP-202? The generic Forest River Owner's Manual is not much help.

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2023 at 2:54pm

Rdenniso, welcome to the forum. We can walk you through the process, it is quite similar with all models of R-Pods. The big question is this: do you plan to blow out with air or simply plan on using a couple gallons of RV antifreeze to winterize?

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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: Rdenniso
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2023 at 3:16pm

Planning to use antifreeze

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2023 at 5:53pm

First off, turn your 2 way or 3 way valves on the rear of your HW tank to 'bypass' mode.

2nd - open valve at top of HW tank to eliminate line pressure OR open one of your faucets to give same result.

3rd - open the HW tank drain with a 1 1/16" socket and drain - after draining put a couple wraps of teflon tape on threads and re-insert plug by hand and then snug down with ratchet.

4th - open both low point drains - located underneath - should be a decal showing location along drivers side of your r-pod.

5th - find the open 1/2" pigtail line located upstream of a plastic 2 way valve - usually located below sink, however on some models if you cannot find it turn pump on and listen where the noise of the pump is, the valve will be located nearby the pump, turn the valve all the way opposite to the direction you are currently in.

6th - close both low point drains after water stops dripping out.

7th - insert 1/2" pigtail into gallon jug rv antifreeze.

8th - turn pump on and turn each H and C on, one at a time until a good flow of pink antifreeze flows out.

9th - do the same for outside shower if you have one and toilet.

10th - I use 16 oz. antifreeze for traps and toilet (total)

Your total usage to get antifreeze through all the lines should take 2 gallons.

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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: Rdenniso
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2023 at 7:18pm

Thanks!

Posted By: Rdenniso
Date Posted: 28 Oct 2023 at 10:27pm

On our 2022 RP202, if I use compressed air to blow the water out of the plumbing, do I need to do anything with the water pump? My 1st time winterizing.

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2023 at 4:44pm

I don't have to as I use 85 psi so a lot of volume. In your case, to be safe, I would go to the water pump and find the screen/filter which is on the inlet side of your pump, carefully unscrew it to see if any water is lurking inside and empty if necessary. If none is found, great, next year you will be able to skip this. Also, double check your low point drains and note if there is any water in those, if a couple drops are found, or less, you can also skip this detail as well next year.

-------------
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: Rdenniso
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2023 at 6:18pm

When storing your R-pod for the winter, is it recommended leveling the unit?

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2023 at 8:33pm

I don't level, but eyeball it so that it appears close to level. Since nothing is operating it isn't necessary. Mine is stored in an old horse barn so elements are not a factor. If yours is outside it may be an advantage to tilt is either up or down front to back to help alleviate snowloads when you get those warmer days and it can slide off.

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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: seafans
Date Posted: 21 Nov 2023 at 12:50pm

I finished winterize my 192. I haven't seen in any of the posts about blowing out the water in the water-saver line from the shower. There was more water in it than one would think. When this is done it also blows out the water out of the vent line from the water storage tank. Don't stand in front the tank water fill or you will get wet. Be sure the drain plug or valve closed on the fresh water tank or this procedure won't work.

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 22 Nov 2023 at 9:05am

Our current Cherokee Grey Wolf did not come equipped with the Shower-Miser. I added it. Since I could not get to the vent line (vented under the trailer, not to the fill-port vent), I had to run the return line for the Shower-Miser to the fill line for the tank. Any water thus purged goes into the fresh water tank and the drain valve needs to be open so that the water can drain from the fresh water tank. I agree that the shower-miser return line also needs to be purged, and that is likely something easily forgotten.

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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: mark114
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2024 at 3:25am

Any RV owner can benefit greatly from understanding how to http://www.outdoorbits.com/winterize-rv-without-antifreeze/ - winterize an RV without using antifreeze . It will be possible for you to get your RV ready for the next severe weather and avoid any harm from happening. You can also return to your RV in good shape because winterizing it will help keep all of its features intact.

Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2024 at 8:09am

Originally posted by mark114

Pretty much the way this has been done on our 177 for the past 12 years. HOWEVER, I would be leery of not adding any antifreeze to the traps. Realize there is room for water to freeze and expand however i use 16 oz. of antifreeze for the 3 traps and a tad for the toilet to keep the seal moist and from drying out over the winter months.

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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: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Jan 2024 at 9:56pm

Also, our Cherokee came with trapless drains that don't retain water. Instead, they use a one-way valve to allow water to drain but don't allow fumes back through. No RV antifreeze needed there. I only need a little in the toilet bowl to keep the seal lubricated. I expect the gallon of antifreeze I bought to last a number of years.

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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