Winterizing Water Lines

[vidude]

Does anyone know if the hot water heater has a drain plug?  This is my first RV and I'd like to flush it and prepare for the winter cold.  What's the best way to drain all the water lines?  I'm thinking about opening all the faucets and using my air compressor to blow-out the lines.

[aliendude]

My first RV as well..........but at least your to the point of using the RV
part of it.....  I'm still trying to get mine on the road.    
New engine, new carb, new gas tank.......I just want to take a camping
trip.....
With all I have spent on it, I could have rented one of those 1-800-RVRENTS
several times now.  

I think the water heater on mine has a drain.    I have not even messed with it yet.    THe one time I did open the propane tank vavle,  I smelled gas inside
everywhere like BAD and liquid propane sprayed out around the
knob.   Maybe I opened the wrong knob or something....but it was the one
with the snap pressure reg.....

Once I get it smogged and such I'll take it to an RV place for a
NUbbie propane course.....

[aliendude]

They will probably throw me out - like the smog center, did when my
fuel tank had a 5 in crack in it.........Ahhhh  your going to blow up our
million dollar RV inventory.......

[Conrad]

My water heater has a hose bib just below the gas valve.  It requires a slotted screwdriver to open.  Tag on a hose and open the bib.  Open hot and cold levers on the bathroom sink to allow water to drain.  Some water left in the heater tank will not cause any problem if it freezes up.  

Water that freezes expands.  Typically when we forget to drain and then a big freeze comes along, the water in the lines and the tank have nowhere to expand to.  That is when the pipes burst.

[handyman]

another way is to go to camping world and buy water system antifreze thats what all the new units come from the factory with but I still do the old way drain it blow it and forget it Conrad should know best hes up in the freazeing weather

[HPotter]

We used that pink non-toxic antifreeze one time. It took a lot of flushing to get the yukky taste out of the water supply the next spring.
You can buy a fitting at RV supply stores that screws into your fresh water hose connection and has a tire valve on it to connect your compressor and blow out the water lines. Works well.

Harold

[Conrad]

Thanks Handyman but I just know what I know.  It does freeze here but not too bad.  

I usually drain my tank and water lines then put the RV antifreeze in each drain trap.  I don't blow out the lines like others but that would be my preferred method if I had an air compressor.  hmmmm that would make a nice christmas gift wouldn't it?  One of them big hummers, stand-up in a corner type.  

[handyman]

Hay Conrad just have the wife read the forum    

[Den]

Install a by pass is the best system.

db

[HPotter]

Heck, don't wait for Christmas. Get one of those little 12 volt compressors  that plug into a lighter socket. And carry it in your Clipper at all times. They are dirt cheap--20 bucks or so. I also have one of those portable jump-start portable battery packs that I got from a discount store for about 30 bucks. It has a small flloodlight plus a cigarette lighter socket on it and between that and the compressor  I have a portable air supply I can take anywhere.

Harold

[susan-y]

one time I did open the propane tank vavle,  I smelled gas inside everywhere like BAD and liquid propane sprayed out around the knob.   Maybe I opened the wrong knob or something....but it was the one with the snap pressure reg.....]

Aliendude.  I had the propane smell in the interior, realized that the OFF on the oven knob, is not where you leave it, your turn it a bit more to the right, to the little "pilot light off".

[junebob]

Your in luck. Just inside the motor homes pull down step you will find two plastic water drains. One of them drains the sink cold water, the other one drains the water heater. Since this is the lowest point in the system it drains all the system except the water tank which has it's own drain. It does not hurt to blow out the system with compressed air. If you do so you should make sure all your faucets are open, including the toilet valve. You will find that putting a couple of cups  of ANY KIND of antifreeze in your sinks,shower,and toilet is all the freeze protection you will ever need. once the system is drained. Bob Chaney