HOWTO: Water System Winterizing
125
© 2016 by Erwin Hymer Group North America, Inc.
HOWTO: Water System Winterizing
Do you really need to winterize?
If your Roadtrek is going to remain heated to comfortable temperatures, and the temperatures during the day are
well above freezing (above 40 deg. F or above 4 deg. C) and the forecast is for temperatures just below freezing for a
few hours at night with calm winds, then you don`t need to winterize. The heat in your Roadtrek is enough to keep the
lines from freezing.
If the forecast is for extended cold periods, with daytime temperatures at or below freezing, if you`re not heating
your Roadtrek, or if you expect sustained winds and the roads and ground is already frozen, you need to winterize.
As always, you are final judge and you need to do what is comfortable and makes you feel good. If you are not
comfortable with leaving water in your lines when it gets cold, and you will sleep better, go ahead and winterize.
How to winterize using anti-freeze
This procedure can be done in less an hour with no specialized tools. You will need a funnel and your Robertson head
screwdriver that came with your Roadtrek.
•
• Get 2-3 gallons of RV antifreeze.
DO NOT use automotive antifreeze. RV antifreeze is non-toxic and safe for potable water lines.
•
• Drain the fresh water tank by opening the fresh water tank drain valve, located under the passenger front door step. It may
take as long as 30 minutes to drain the tank. Close the drain for the exterior tank.
•
• Run the galley faucet until it sputters to empty as much water as possible.
•
• Turn off the water pump.
•
• Dump and rinse the gray and black tanks.
•
• Open your single lever galley faucet, putting it in the middle halfway between the hot and cold settings.
