The Oliver factory has released a great new video titled “Winterizing Your Oliver Travel Trailer”!
We have two videos available to guide you in winterizing your Oliver. The first is for the Legacy Elite I found below:
The second video is for the Legacy Elite II, found below:
As the cold season approaches for most of us, it is time once again to discuss proper winterization to protect all the plumbing and water systems inside the camper.
First, let’s discuss what components are susceptible to freeze damage, which could result in water leaks and potentially costly service repairs.
1. Brass Check Valves—These in-line valves keep water from spilling from the water-fill ports. They will be located on the Fresh Water Line, City Connection Line, and Black Tank Flush Line.
2. Plastic Check Valve – The Dometic Standard toilet has a plastic check valve at the bathroom’s rear.
3. Water Valves—These valves control the flow of water. You may have 2 or 4 valves next to the water pump, 1 on the lower shell floor to drain the fresh tank and 1 on the black tank flush port line.
4. P-Traps—These are used in the sink and shower drain plumbing lines. They retain water and trap debris that has drained from the sink, preventing it from forming a clog deep within the plumbing system and stopping sewer gases from passing into the camper.
5. Water Pump & Filter—The water pump filter traps debris and prevents it from entering the pump and water line system that delivers water to the faucets.
6. PEX Push Fittings—These fittings connect different runs of PEX pipe throughout the camper. PEX itself is freeze-tolerant, but these plastic and/or brass fittings are not.
7. Faucets – The kitchen, bathroom, and external shower faucets all maintain water at the faucet when in use and thus present a potential freeze issue if not properly winterized.
8. Water Heaters – All water heaters should be fully drained of all water, and the bypass valve must be set to winterization/bypass mode. This allows RV antifreeze to be utilized in the plumbing system without filling the water heater. *Even when using the camper in cold weather, it may be necessary to fully drain the water heater when traveling between campsites, especially the on-demand water heaters, as they only hold a small amount of water that can freeze quickly.
*Proper winterization method to ensure that all components are protected.
Visit the following link for a walkthrough with John Oliver on winterizing your Oliver Travel Trailer: Oliver Winterization.
The Step Methods are provided below
1. Drain all water from the system (All tanks, water heaters)
2. Set the bypass valve at the water heater for winterization mode.
3. Change the valve configuration at the water pump for winterization mode.
4. Use a water pump to draw RV Antifreeze (potable Safe) into the camper.
5. Turn on the kitchen faucet (Cold Line) and run until antifreeze comes out.
6. Change to the Hotline and run until antifreeze comes out.
7. Perform steps 5-6 for the bath faucet.
8. Ensure plenty of antifreeze drains into the P-Traps for the kitchen, bath, and shower drains.
9. Flush the toilet until antifreeze starts to fill the bowl. Leave antifreeze in a bowl to lubricate the seal.
10. Turn off the water pump.
11. Connect the hand pump with antifreeze to the fresh tank fill connection. Pump at least 3- 4 times. Antifreeze is potable safe and will not hurt if it enters the fresh tank.
12. Connect the hand pump with antifreeze to the city connection line, turn the external shower cold line on, and pump until the antifreeze comes through the shower faucet.
*TIP: It will be hard to pump in the city line if the faucets are closed.
13. Turn the cold line off and the hot line on, and pump until the antifreeze comes through the shower faucet.
14. Connect the hand pump and antifreeze to the black tank flush port. (You may have to go inside and turn the in-line valve open to allow the antifreeze to freely pump into the tank. One pump should be sufficient as we only protect the check valve.)
For proper battery storage, please visit Trojan Battery Storage.
TIPS
• The camper can be used in cold weather applications if the furnace keeps the components warm and above-freezing temperatures.
• If traveling between campsites during cold weather, winterizing may be necessary depending on outside temperatures.
• Water left in the water heater during freezing temperatures, even for short periods of time, can damage it.
• RV Antifreeze is designed to replace water and should NEVER be mixed with water, as diluting it will defeat its purpose.
