Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks: Winterizing

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Winterizing

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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=9030
Printed Date: 04 Nov 2025 at 6:55am
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Topic: Winterizing

Posted By: Oliveman
Subject: Winterizing
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2016 at 12:40pm

Will this winterizing technique work? I put a sump pump in a 5 gallon bucket and connected it to the city connection. I put 2 gallons antifreeze in bucket. Turned on Pump. Opened each Faucet, shower, toilet ect until Pink RV Antifreeze flowed. I also drained my Gray, Black and Fresh. My question is, How do I protect the DC Fresh Water Pump as anti freeze never pumps through it using City connection. Also the manual says drain Hot Water heater. Where do you do that? There are two low point drains on the bottom of RV. Do I open them? Once power and battery is disconnect for the winter, do I open all faucets to allow for expansion. Did I cover all potential problems? I dumbed the rest of the Antifreeze down the toilet

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2016 R-Pod 178
2015 Pathfinder Platinum AWD
Wife, Child and Dog on adventures

Replies:

Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2016 at 2:11pm

You can run some antifreeze thru the tank, or unhook the pump and drain it. You will need a 1 1/8" socket with extension to unscrew the big anode on the HW tank . and the water will gush out. The anode may look pock marked but that is OK - shows it is working. Open the low point drains - all 4. Doesn't hurt to leave the faucets open.

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2016 at 3:19pm

The anode rod uses a 1-1/16"socket. Suburban's specifications say that if the anode rod has lost 75% of its original weight, it should be replaced. Unless you have a brand new one to weigh for comparison, it will be hard to tell exactly. However, if most of the metal is anode is corroded down to the metal core wire, it is probably time to replace it.

Please ensure that the HW tank is COLD before you remove the plug. The last thing you need is to be hit with a gusher of scalding hot water.

As for antifreeze, I used the winterizing connection and the pump to pump RV antifreeze through my system. The tank, once drained through the plug should be fine. I did want the pump protected, something which air purging of the lines does not do.

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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: Grandpa Hiker
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2016 at 3:34pm

Here is a step by step video of winterizing a R Pod.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNw5wujU9tI - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNw5wujU9tI

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Rob & Becky
2014 Ford Explorer 3.5 SOHC V6
2015 R-179 Pod aka Piddle Pod

"Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass, it is about learning to dance in the rain!!"

Posted By: riotkayak284
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2016 at 6:41pm

Just use the pump accessory hose and it is very easy!

Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2016 at 8:00pm

That is why I did my mod to the bed platform. It is easier now to get to the pump and winterizing valve/hose than it was before. That is a relative term though. It is still a pain to lift the mattress to get to my hatch. That https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BW7H5ZW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - 10" memory foam mattress I purchased for our R-Pod is heavy. I should have gone for the 8" model. Currently, only the 8" model is available.

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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