freezing water lines in the trailer

If your plumbing is PEX, the cloudy plastic tubing, you shouldn't worry. It can withstand freeze/thaw cycles without a problem.

If it isn't PEX, but is copper or some other solid tubing, you'll need to "winterize" your pipes by blowing out water in the pipes/traps with a plunger or compressed air, then backfill with RV antifreeze. You'll have to redo if you break out the trailer for a winter job.

Really, if the lines are blown out, I don't see what good the antifreeze will do.

Another thought is ti take the rig to an RV repair place and have them install a drain setup at the low points of the water lines. If you are handy and comfortable with it.. you can go to a RV store and purchase the valves and do it yourself... Many of the better RV's simply have a drain.. and ya don't need to blow the lines.

Good luck, Bill

Freezing lines (or preventing them) are a part of life for us trailer owners in Montana.

Basically, you just have to be sure that there is no water in the system. Trailer Tech only installed a drain in the grey water tank; the only way to drain fresh water (before I installed a drain) was to run the pump till the tank was empty.

A little overnite frost shouldn't be a problem but a hard freeze would be.

hey thanks guys.
we never stay cold long but when it hits it hits good.
i like the simple drain the water out of the lines.
never did care for the rv anti freeze idea much.
jack

Thanks!
The folks here always come through. Now I'll quit knitting sweaters for the pipes!
Peggy

I didn't worry about my rig freezing up in November because the temp only got down into the upper 20's outside. My pump froze and cracked. New pump are about $60.

I blew out my lines on the RV last year and the pump still froze and cracked.

Get a suction hose from an RV place to suck good pink anti-freeze from the inlet side of your pump.

Drain your water heater. Install a shut off valve between your pump and water heater because it will require to much antifreeze to fill.

Run antifreeze until in comes out of the faucets.

Leave all your faucets, gray water drain valve and water heater open until you need them again.

I'm not worrying about my fresh water holding tank busting with 1/2" of water.

I better stock up on orange juice!

Good luck! Roger

Just to reiterate.. use ONLY RV antifreeze.. the other stuff 'll kill ya...

Thanks, Willy, I was picturing that in my head! Probably wouldn't go over well during the state inspection! Roger, is orange juice the name of the antifreeze or are you avoiding the flu?
I really appreciate the replies!
Peggy

Hmm, do they pull unannounced inspections when you are not using the rig during the winter? This stuff is simply put in the lines till it reaches the faucets. When ready to use.. drain, flush and you are good to go.. It's approved for human water lines.. just not made to drink.. OJ would taste much better...

I just called my broker and went long in OJ futures.

Thanks for the heads up about that big freeze coming your way!

hog
it's just gotta follow!!!!!
4 hurricanes and ya just know its gonna freeze as far south as miami lol
jack

Easiest thing to do is buy the tank heater pads. But some 3m sticky in a can an afix them. They are thermostatically controlled in my 5th wheel so i never have to worry bout em. Others type is just flip a swith to run. Good Luck.


Kamots

since it will be 27 here i ran the rig out of water both hot and cold. just to make sure i left pump running and went thru the full range of motion on the tongue lift. left all valves open. still couldnt bring myself to put in anti freeze. just didnt like the idea
jack

I'm with you, Jack. It was -16� here last night! My trailer was drained in the fall, and just to be sure, I removed the fittings from both sides of the pump. I ran the pump for a few moments to make sure it was empty as well. That did the trick last year and I got my fingers crossed. Anti-freeze just doesn't seem natural in drinking water.

Peter