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I'm taking Elsie in to be winterized tomorrow and wondering if I should dump the tanks first or leave it for them they didn't say I needed to do anything and there isn't much in them.

Don't expect them to look at those tanks - so yes, you should take it in with them empty. That's not a normal part of winterizing.

I agree with Beth. The one time I took it in to have it winterized (first year), they did not empty the tanks.

I really didn't want to dump those tanks in the rain this morning so I called the nice man at the RV place and asked. He said not to dump them before I came in but to dump them after as they don't winterize the tanks. Then if I am not going to be driving it, to leave them open until I do, so the seals don't go bad and leaving them open will I think he said, will also stabilize the pressure. So...guess I'll have to do the deed but glad I won't have to do it twice and I can wait till the rain stops!

Just purchased my first RV with black and grey tanks. Watched several videos on winterizing also went through the process with the dealer. Took the rig out last week and winterized after the trip. Emptied the tanks before leaving the park (first time ever). My question regards the tanks and winterizing. None of the videos or the dealer mentioned the tanks re winterizing. I poured a little antifreeze down the toilet and into the sinks to fill the traps but what about the black and grey tanks? As long as they're empty (empty as much as possible via a dump station), are they winter safe?

I put antifreeze down the toilet to keep the black tank valve from drying out and leave a little bit in the toilet itself for the same reason. I also dump some down the sinks and shower into the gray tank. Be sure to open the low point drains to empty the lines of water.

WickedLady,

Looks like I did what needed to be done: low point drains, a little antifreeze down the toilet, shower and sinks. Thanks for your input. Someone today told me she mixes half water and half antifreeze to put in the fresh water tank but if it's been drained I don't see the need; nor would I want the hassle of rinsing it out of antifreeze residue.

The sewer hose That came with the camper is too short and kinda cheesey--easily bent or crushed. Come spring I'll have to invest in a better one.

Thanks again for your input.

taburgh wrote:

The sewer hose That came with the camper is too short and kinda cheesey--easily bent or crushed. Come spring I'll have to invest in a better one.

Thanks again for your input.

I bought my Rhino hose at Wal-Mart and have been happy with it. It comes with a clear elbow as well as a graduated screw in fitting where you don't need a separate donut.

You did empty the water heater, yes?

WickedLady wrote:You did empty the water heater, yes?

And used the bypass valve - you don't want the antifreeze in the water heater!

Do you know why no antifreeze in the hot water heater??? I am just curious. My rig isnt winterized cause I am heading out on Sat or maybe Friday and we havent had really cold weather........yet.

karen

OregonLuvr wrote:Do you know why no antifreeze in the hot water heater??? I am just curious. My rig isnt winterized cause I am heading out on Sat or maybe Friday and we havent had really cold weather........yet.

karen

I'm told it won't hurt your water heater - but can be a real pita to get it all out of it. And it doesn't need it - thus the bypass valve.

Yeah, emptied the water heater, re the bypass valve, and removed the annod bar. Was nervous about doing it all myself but now really enjoy taking care of my camper.

Watched a video on cleaning out the water heater with a vinegar mixture. Vinegar gets all the white milky stuff out. Think I'll try this in the spring even though it's practically a new camper. Saw another video on cleaning the black tank with ice! Lots of fun ahead .

I need to know this...I didn't empty my water heater yet & we've had nites in the 20's! Days in the 40-50s tho. Didn't see any water leaks when I was in there on Snday. NOW, I read the manal & am nervo-s abot the annod rod, so I'm glad to hear yew did it Tab-rgh! Anything else I shoold know abot??? I added antifreeze to my fresh water tank! Was that wrong??? Ran the water p-mp til the pink slime came "threw" the fawcets...G'grief, I need a BOOT CAMP! Or to not be so cheap & take it for professional winterizing!!! What's a Rhino hose? I have a coiled 1/2" hose (red, if that signifies anything) in the side compartment & have no idea what it's for.

Did you bypass your hot water heater before you ran the pink stuff, Carol? If not, you will be needing to do a really good flush in the spring - plus that's 6 gallons of pink stuff. And a Rhino hose is a brand of sewer hose or stinky slinky as I like to call it. A coiled 1/2" hose - do you have an outside shower or a tank flush system. Those are the only 2 things I can think of that it might go to.