More winterizing
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3045
Printed Date: 08 Jun 2025 at 7:40am
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Topic: More winterizing
Posted By: Robwid
Subject: More winterizing
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 10:20pm
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After looking at the plumbing under the sink and inspecting the (cramped!) area
around the water heater/water pump I'm pretty sure that my model (2012 HRE 177) doesn't
have a tube and valve for adding antifreeze. I noticed Camping World has a hand pump kit for manually pumping antifreeze through the city water fitting. My understanding is that you do all of the normal winterization steps but use this pump instead of using the electric pump. Has anyone tried this method? Thanks in advance! Rob ------------- Rob 2012 HRE 177 2010 Toyota Tacoma |
Replies:
Posted By: Bill Ky
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2012 at 10:40pm
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My only concern first off would be if the antifreeze would make it in to the water pump.
------------- Bill & Marilyn, Tinker Belle (Yorkie), Sparkle (Mini Dachshund) & Tootsie (the turtle) '12 RP175 '07 Dodge Ram 1500 |
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 10:56am
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The first thing to do with this method would be to dump all of the water in your tank. Then run the water pump for a very short period of time to have the pump try to force all of the water out of the impeller. Don't run the pump very long...I don't know how long the impeller would last without water to lube and cool it.
The water pump has a 'one-way' valve to keep water from flowing backward. Otherwise your fresh water tank would overflow every time you hooked up to city water. Has anyone else used this method? If so, please reply...pros/cons? ------------- TIDALWAVE |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 11:27am
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Buddy of mine uses the "pump".. he drains his fresh water holding tank (FWHT), and low point drains, then adds a quart or two of anti freeze to the FWHT, and turns on the pump for a couple seconds. That takes care of that side. He then uses the pump to push anti-freeze through the system from the "city water" connection.
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Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 12:03pm
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It seems to get a little more complicated when you have an inline water filter connected into the system. I have an Everpure water filter connected to the cold water faucet in the kitchen sink. If I winterize with antifreeze, the water filter will also be filled with antifreeze. Not good. I contacted Everpure and the only solution is to remove the filter cartridge, place it in a plastic bag and refrigerate it for the winter. Additionally, I have to connect both the input and output connectors to the filterhead. The antifreeze will then go thru the system. Everpure suggested I go to Loew's which has a water filtration dept. and will have the additonal connectors I would need to bypass the filter head. Hope that helps someone. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 12:24pm
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Ours has a "bypass" position built into the filter head. You just set it to bypass, remove the filter housing, drain, replace. (not in the pod, in the 'stream) we use an inline with the pod. ------------- |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 12:32pm
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Great. Do you have an Everpure? Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 3:08pm
Culligan, takes the standard 10" cartridges. ------------- |
Posted By: Robwid
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 3:12pm
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Forest River technical support has told me that all R Pods have an anitfreeze pickup line and that mine (2012 HRE 177) is accessable by removing the mattress and plywood. I was hoping that it was going to be a handier location. Has anyone with a similar model changed the location of the anitfreeze pickup line? ------------- Rob 2012 HRE 177 2010 Toyota Tacoma |
Posted By: Robwid
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 4:27pm
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Ok, my dealer tells me that here in Portland Oregon they simply blow out the lines with compressed air, drain the water heater, put anitfreeze down the p-traps and call it good. I guess that's the route I will follow! ------------- Rob 2012 HRE 177 2010 Toyota Tacoma |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 8:25pm
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Robwid, how cold do the temps get there ? ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 9:30pm
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Robwid, the intake hose and valve must be plumbed in right before the water pump intake, so moving it would require one of several options. It could be done but it would mean adding a lot of extensions to the existing hoses. I would only do the blow-out method in a mild climate where hard freezes are rare - basically Florida. There is too much opportunity for water to remain in the valves and low points. Take the extra 15 minutes and gallon or two of antifreeze for peace of mind, IMO. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: Robwid
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 10:26pm
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dsmiths, Hard freezes are quite rare on the "valley floor" as we call the Portland area. We are only about 100 feet above sea level here. That said, if we get a sustained east wind it can get into the 20's. Next weekend I'm going to see if I can wrangle the mattress out of the way enough to pull the plywood off and look for the antifreeze line. Thanks all for the comments! ------------- Rob 2012 HRE 177 2010 Toyota Tacoma |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 10:47pm
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We are at 512' according to City Hall, here in Lake O. I have been sweating out whether to fully winterize or not. Did look and did not find the free hose end to add anti-freeze. Soo, have ordered the Camco kit to add the valve before the water pump under the sink in the kitchen. Would be a whole lot easier and cheaper to just blow out the water, however thinking about a freeze and having to replace plumbing lines I have decided to go the whole nine yards. Temporarily have lit the ceramic heater this evening where currently it is hovering about 44 degrees. When the kit comes in and after our last trip of the year on Nov. 8 will blow out the lines, empty all tanks, install the Camco valve and empty the water heater. Then will add antifreeze to all lines and wash and cover the Rpod for the winter. That's my plan. As far as wrestling the mattress, I had installed two pneumatic lifts which make lifting the bed a breeze, and had a large hinge installed on the far side of the bed. Works like a dream even with the 50 lb. mattress. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 10:55pm
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50 lb mattress ??? good grief. ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 22 Oct 2012 at 11:39pm
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Ahhh. But you have to remember that after a full day of sitting in my camping chair, sipping wine, taking a nap, taking a very short hike to the store for "goodies" a man needs a comfortable mattress to sleep on after a very weary day. Actually it's one of those European style pillow top mattresses sold by Camping World. It is extremely comfortable. I can't think of much worse while camping, than being cold at night and not being able to sleep. This really fits the bill. About $329. but worth every dime. It truly is a giggle to lay down on it. Anyway, couldn't sleep on the one from FR. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: RPodWeGo
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2012 at 12:53am
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Greetings, I winterized my 2012 177 this past weekend. If you search "bypass" you will find a few comments on this topic. The 2012 177 does not have a bypass valve and "built in" suction hose. If you look under the bed you will see a "cross beam" piece of wood with the water ump screwed to it. When you look at the pump, the right side has a metal looking screen. This side is the intake side. Slide that blue locking thing up and wiggle out the hose. Put a hose into the hole making it as snug as possible, other end into a jug of antifreeze, turn on pump and watch pink come out of your faucets. Caution though, follow all steps of the winterization process in this forum prior to do this and importantly turn those 3 valve handles you see the opposite direction than they are PRIOR TO pumping the anti freeze. ------------- RPodWeGo RPod 177 04 v8 Toyota 4Runner |
Posted By: Robwid
Date Posted: 23 Oct 2012 at 10:09am
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Camper Bob, Who installed the pneumatic lifts? That sounds like a great idea! ------------- Rob 2012 HRE 177 2010 Toyota Tacoma |