Jump to content

Proper Winterization


JEssary

Recommended Posts

  • Service Manager

As the cold season closes in on 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 would result in water leaks and potential costly service repairs.

 

1. Brass Check Valves – These valves are in-line valves that keep water from spilling back out of the water fill ports. These valves will be located on the Fresh Water Line, City Connection Line and the Black Tank Flush Line.

 

2. Plastic Check Valve – The Dometic Standard toilet has a plastic check valve located at the rear of the toilet.

 

3. Water Valves – These valves are used to control the flow of water. You may have 2 or 4 valves located next to the water pump, 1 located on the lower shell floor to drain the fresh tank, and 1 located on the black tank flush port line.

 

4. P-Traps – These are used in the sink and shower drain plumbing lines. It retains water and traps debris that has drained from the sink and prevents it from forming a clog deep within the plumbing system, and stops sewer gases from passing into the camper.

 

5. Water Pump & Filter – The water pump filter is used to trap debris and keep it from entering the pump and water line system that is delivered to the faucets.

 

6. PEX Push Fittings – These fittings are used to connect different runs of pex pipe through out 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 for RV antifreeze to be utilized in the plumbing system without filling the water heater itself. *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 in a short period of time.

 

*Proper winterization method to ensure that all components are protected.

 

You can visit the following link for a walkthrough with John Oliver on how to winterize your Oliver Travel Trailer:

Step by Step Methods provided below

 

1. Drain all water from the system (All tanks, water heaters)

2. Set bypass valve at water heater for winterization mode.

3. Change valve configuration at water pump for winterization mode.

4. Use 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 Hot line 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 bowl to lubricate seal.

10. Turn off water pump.

11. Connect 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 goes into the fresh tank.

12. Connect hand pump with antifreeze to city connection line, turn external shower cold line on and pump until antifreeze comes through shower faucet.

*TIP: It will be hard to pump in the city line if the faucets are closed.

13. Turn cold line off and hot line on, pump until antifreeze comes through shower faucet.

14. Connect hand pump and antifreeze to 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 are only protecting the check valve.)

 

For proper battery storage please visit:

 

TIPS

• The camper can be used in cold weather applications as long as the furnace is utilized to keep the components warm and above freezing temperatures.

 

• If traveling between campsites during cold weather season it may be necessary to winterize depending on outside temperatures.

 

• If water is left in the water heater during freezing temperatures even for short periods of time, it can cause damage.

 

• RV Antifreeze is designed to replace water and should NEVER be mixed with water as diluting it will defeat its purpose.

 

Oliver Travel Trailers Service: 866-205-2621

  • Thanks 9

----------------

Jason D. Essary

OLIVER SERVICE

228 Industrial Ave

Hohenwald, TN 38462

Phone: (888) 526-3978

 

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm CST

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email may contain confidential and privileged material for the sole use of the intended recipient(s). Any review, use, distri­bution or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by email and delete the message and any file attachments from your computer.

Login to Service Portal: https://support.olivertraveltrailers.com/portal/en/home

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...