Dewinterize

[Trip80]

So this is my first time dewinterizing my passport 221bh. The dealer winterized it. I see the valves going to the water heater are in the open position, I was assuming they would be closed so no antifreeze got into the hot water tank. My question is, should I close them then drain all the water faucets etc and then open them back up and flush again just to make sure nothing is the hot water heater before I actually turn on the hot water tank?

[chuckster57]

Welcome to the forum
It is a good idea to clear all the fresh water lines before filling the water heater.

[bobbecky]

This might help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLAnkCVfjO4

[skids]

Run water rinse through the fresh tank, through the WH tank, and all the lines. Then 1/4 cup of unscented Clorox for each 15 gallons of system water. Let it set for a while to sanitize. Drain and rinse the system again. Then you are good to use as normal.

[cougar23]

Water heater valves open? I would first drain the WH tank to make sure it was not filled with antifreeze.

[GlasNav]

Pulled the trailer out of the high bay of our shop and parked it in the driveway in front of the house garage. It was a good feeling after flushing out all the pink stuff, rinsing and filling the hot water heater, purged the water pump of the pink stuff, and draining the low point drains. The hot water heater fired off immediately on gas, and when I switched to both gas & electric, saw the load come across the EMS readout. The refrigerator and freezer are working as normal. The furnace cranked right up and is functioning normally. The only issue is every time I put the trailer back in service the flapper seal on the toilet leaks. With the water running, I opened it up and wiped down the surface of the flapper and underside of the seal with a paper towel, it appears to be cooperating, if not we carry a brand new seal in the bathroom cabinet which we haven't had to insert yet. This could be the time I have to replace it, TBD. We now have 6 days to load all the comforts and provisions, etc before heading out.

[chuckster57]

Put a glove on and coat the bottom of the seal with petroleum jelly.

[Gkri]

Originally Posted by Trip80

So this is my first time dewinterizing my passport 221bh. The dealer winterized it. I see the valves going to the water heater are in the open position, I was assuming they would be closed so no antifreeze got into the hot water tank. My question is, should I close them then drain all the water faucets etc and then open them back up and flush again just to make sure nothing is the hot water heater before I actually turn on the hot water tank?

I'd be concerned about freezing temps in North Jersey for another several weeks. We are in Southeast PA and still expect many nights in the 20's.

[Gkri]

Originally Posted by Gkri

I'd be concerned about freezing temps in North Jersey for another several weeks. We are in Southeast PA and still expect many nights in the 20's.

never mind, just saw the July date, but the post was in "Today's Posts"...?

[RollaMo]

Originally Posted by Gkri

never mind, just saw the July date, but the post was in "Today's Posts"...?

That's because post #6 brought it back to life today.

[German Shepherd Guy]

We are still two and a half months out before we can safely de-winterize.Reading this makes me a bit blue.
But. it is sunny today

[GlasNav]

FYI: We have a couple of 15f nights in the forecast, but that is usually only for a couple hours in the morning, then it gets up into the balmy 30s.
I have extra insulation around the lower drains, and all underside openings sealed. Also committed to using the furnace as primary heat with electric as ancillary, thus no freezing up along with the tank heaters.

This particular early activation of the trailer isn't for recreational winter camping. This time, we need it for a couple of weeks of cancer radiation treatments and its too far to commute every day. Also considering the length of time, we would rather be in our own surroundings vs a hotel, and cheaper!

[German Shepherd Guy]

Originally Posted by GlasNav

FYI: We have a couple of 15f nights in the forecast, but that is usually only for a couple hours in the morning, then it gets up into the balmy 30s.
I have extra insulation around the lower drains, and all underside openings sealed. Also committed to using the furnace as primary heat with electric as ancillary, thus no freezing up along with the tank heaters.

This particular early activation of the trailer isn't for recreational winter camping. This time, we need it for a couple of weeks of cancer radiation treatments and its too far to commute every day. Also considering the length of time, we would rather be in our own surroundings vs a hotel, and cheaper!

GlasNav.
Will be sending good thoughts your way on the treatments. Being in your own home/TT is a advantage. Best of luck!!
Oak

[Gkri]

I hope all works out well.

[wiredgeorge]

Originally Posted by GlasNav

FYI: We have a couple of 15f nights in the forecast, but that is usually only for a couple hours in the morning, then it gets up into the balmy 30s.
I have extra insulation around the lower drains, and all underside openings sealed. Also committed to using the furnace as primary heat with electric as ancillary, thus no freezing up along with the tank heaters.

This particular early activation of the trailer isn't for recreational winter camping. This time, we need it for a couple of weeks of cancer radiation treatments and its too far to commute every day. Also considering the length of time, we would rather be in our own surroundings vs a hotel, and cheaper!

I camped in a Sunnybrook bumper pull in Houston a few years under the same circumstance; treated at MD Anderson and stayed in the South Main RV park. Good luck with your treatments.

[GlasNav]

Originally Posted by wiredgeorge

I camped in a Sunnybrook bumper pull in Houston a few years under the same circumstance; treated at MD Anderson and stayed in the South Main RV park. Good luck with your treatments.

MD Anderson is an excellent facility.

We will be in KC for treatments at KUMC, also a NCI recognized facility.

[GlasNav]

Originally Posted by chuckster57

Put a glove on and coat the bottom of the seal with petroleum jelly.

Excellent trick, just a little dab and rubbed it around, the water is now staying in the bowl.

[GlasNav]

The "significant weather feature" front came thru yesterday and last night. The trailer is parked in the driveway and was getting hit broadside by the NW 40+ MPH winds, graupel and temps that dropped from the upper 60s to 11f by this morning. At least not in the neggies!
Yesterday afternoon when the front started coming thru, set the furnace to 55, turned on the ancillary electric heater, and the water heater on.
Went out there this morning all the water worked, nothing frozen, a good thing.
That used 12% of a 30 lb propane bottle, Mopeka sensors are so convenient.

We are now packed up and rolling out Thursday morning, first treatment at 16:30 tomorrow afternoon.

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by GlasNav

...
We are now packed up and rolling out Thursday morning, first treatment at 16:30 tomorrow afternoon.

Safe travels and all the best for a good outcome !!!