Pour one quart of special RV antifreeze into the gray and black tanks to protect the drain valves and seals
. Do this through all sink and shower drains—you want antifreeze in the pipe traps as well. Add about a pint to the toilet bowl to protect its flush valve and seals. Note: RV antifreeze is PINK.
How do you winterize a travel trailer with antifreeze?
Do you have to put antifreeze in camper?
If your RV does not come equipped with a water heater bypass, it is recommended that you install one so you do not have to fill the water heater with antifreeze
. Depending on the size of your RV and how it is equipped, most people will need 1 – 3 gallons of RV non-toxic anti-freeze.
How much RV antifreeze Do I need to winterize my camper?
Mistake #4 – Using too much antifreeze
Naturally, you want to use enough to get the job done, but Hulett says that a common mistake RV owners make is to use too much antifreeze. He says that
two gallons
should be enough, regardless of the size of your rig.
Can RV antifreeze be mixed with water?
RV antifreeze is made to replace the water that is in your RV plumbing.
It is not made to be mixed with the water
. When water freezes it expands. If there is water in a pipe or a valve and it freezes it expands in volume and overwhelms the space it is in and the result is that the ice bursts the pipe or valve.
How do you run antifreeze through an RV?
Can I put RV antifreeze in black tank?
While in use – when using antifreeze while the RV is in use,
you should only add antifreeze to the black and gray tanks
(never add it to the freshwater tank while in use) and you'll likely need to keep adding antifreeze to maintain effectiveness.
Do you have to use antifreeze to winterize an RV?
So, antifreeze is not only used for storing an RV in cold winter climates, but also for using it.
RV antifreeze is readily available, and can be used to winterize an RV that will be used for cold-weather camping
.
What happens if you forget to winterize a camper?
What Happens if You Don't Winterize Your RV or Camper? If you choose not to winterize your RV and temperatures fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit,
you run the risk of severe damage to your RV
. When temperatures fall below the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, water freezes.
How do you pump antifreeze into a camper?
The pump intake hose goes into a container of RV antifreeze. Open the water lines inside your rig and start pumping. Focus on one faucet at a time, first the hot water side then the cold. Pink antifreeze will begin to flow through the faucet.
Can I use vodka to winterize my RV?
Neither antifreeze nor vodka is needed to winterize
. Just blow out any water from the system and you're done. The air left behind will not freeze.
How do you winterize a camper without a pump?
- Drain Your RV's Water System. To begin, drain and flush the black and gray water tanks at a dump station. …
- Connect Anti-freeze to Your RV's Water System. …
- Add Anti-freeze to Drains, Seals, and Water Heater.
Can I dump RV antifreeze on the ground?
No, you shouldn't dump RV antifreeze on the ground
, even if it says it's non-toxic and biodegradable. Because it is a still chemical material, dumping RV antifreeze on the ground will be harmful to the environment on many levels. Often, materials used in RV antifreeze are flammable too.
Can antifreeze be diluted?
Antifreeze is often available pre-diluted
. But if you obtain concentrated antifreeze, always dilute it with water before adding it to a cooling system. Adding the right amount of water provides the needed protection against both freezing and boiling over.
What is the main ingredient in RV antifreeze?
The primary components are either
ethanol or propylene glycol
. You may remember from your high school chemistry class that ethanol is the “kick” in Kickapoo Joy Juice—grain alcohol. Yes, ethanol is a good antifreeze (not in your bloodstream) because it raises the freezing point of water.
Will diluted antifreeze freeze?
First, despite the name,
100% antifreeze will actually freeze before coolant at temperatures between 0 and -5 degrees Fahrenheit
. Coolant with a 50/50 mixture has a freezing point of -35 degrees Fahrenheit. Further, a 70/30 mixture of antifreeze and water drops the freezing point lower to -84 degrees Fahrenheit.
How do you winterize an RV blowing out lines?
Can you put RV antifreeze in hot water heater?
Yes, you can put RV Antifreeze in the hot water system
. The antifreeze won't hurt the tank, but don't forget to flush it out before firing it up next spring.
