Winterizing Trailers #2 (update, job in progress)

[Stormin Mormon]

Yesterday, I went and started the job. Started to work on the first trailer. Someone had already drained most of the water. I'm going back to use my blow out adaptor, to be sure. And anti freeze the traps.

I learned that it's necessary to open all the outside compartments, squirrels fill them with hay, straw and shelled corn.

Wear knee pads for the outside work, or your knees get wet from grass, or abraded from the asphalt.

Carry a writing tablet, and take a lot of notes. Memory fails quickly, and this will be a help in the spring when time to reopen the trailers.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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[Art Todesco]

I've heard that blowing out the water systems is not sufficient winterization ... you must run pink antifreeze through both the hot and cold water lines. It was said that water can gather or hide in low spots creating a place where it can freeze, expand and break the pipe. I don't know if I believe it or not, so I've always pumped through the pink stuff. I guess if you do it for a sufficiently long time, it should eventually get it all out. I remember at the building I used to work (suburb of Chicago) they would connect a large compressor, like the trailer mounted ones for jack hammers, to the sprinkler system and let it run for seemingly hours. Mist would continue coming out for a really long time. I usually blow out my garden hoses for the winter, however, I know there is still a little water left behind.

[Stormin Mormon]

Well, that's a concern. I sure don't want freeze broken pipes. How to get the antifreeze in? Buy some kind of pump?

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

I've heard that blowing out the water systems is not sufficient winterization ... you must run pink antifreeze through both the hot and cold water lines. It was said that water can gather or hide in low spots creating a place where it can freeze, expand and break the pipe. I don't know if I believe it or not, so I've always pumped through the pink stuff. I guess if you do it for a sufficiently long time, it should eventually get it all out. I remember at the building I used to work (suburb of Chicago) they would connect a large compressor, like the trailer mounted ones for jack hammers, to the sprinkler system and let it run for seemingly hours. Mist would continue coming out for a really long time. I usually blow out my garden hoses for the winter, however, I know there is still a little water left behind.

[Pete C.]

Use an inexpensive submersible utility pump with a garden hose type output connection. Place the pump in a 5gal bucket and add antifreeze as needed.

My recommendation would be to pump AF into the system, then drain the system recovering the AF to use on the next trailer which should leave just the AF in whatever low spots there are and minimize the use of the somewhat expensive AF. Don't forget to drain the water heater.

When I winterize my camper I blow it out with compressed air, but I let it run most of the day so there isn't much residual water left. It also doesn't get super cold here in N TX.

[Stormin Mormon]

Thanks. I've got an inquiry or two in, and that might just be the case. Now, how does one pump pink stuff in? One fellow suggested a submersible pump in a bucket. You know, that might work. I've got a portable sprayer that might work. Or, a couple gallon pump sprayer, and some plumbing adaptors.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

I've heard that blowing out the water systems is not sufficient winterization ... you must run pink antifreeze through both the hot and cold water lines. It was said that water can gather or hide in low spots creating a place where it can freeze, expand and break the pipe. I don't know if I believe it or not, so I've always pumped through the pink stuff. I guess if you do it for a sufficiently long time, it should eventually get it all out. I remember at the building I used to work (suburb of Chicago) they would connect a large compressor, like the trailer mounted ones for jack hammers, to the sprinkler system and let it run for seemingly hours. Mist would continue coming out for a really long time. I usually blow out my garden hoses for the winter, however, I know there is still a little water left behind.

[Stormin Mormon]

That can work. I've also some where around here got a two gal garden sprayer. The water heaters are supposed to have a bypass valve, so I can drain the WH, and then pink the other lines. More to research, and learn.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

Use an inexpensive submersible utility pump with a garden hose type output connection. Place the pump in a 5gal bucket and add antifreeze as needed.

My recommendation would be to pump AF into the system, then drain the system recovering the AF to use on the next trailer which should leave just the AF in whatever low spots there are and minimize the use of the somewhat expensive AF. Don't forget to drain the water heater.

When I winterize my camper I blow it out with compressed air, but I let it run most of the day so there isn't much residual water left. It also doesn't get super cold here in N TX.

[clare]

I use a funnel and a hose that threads onto the kitchen sink faucet if the trailer does not have it's own water pump. Just pour in through the kitchen tap till it comes out the far end drain. If it has a 12 volt pump I hust take off the inlet from the FW tank and screw on a suction hose that I stick into the antifreeze jug.

[gregz]

Brilliant !

Greg

[gregz]

I got a little sump pump that would work, and auto shut off when the bucket gets low.

Greg

[Stormin Mormon]

That's an excellent choice.

By some happy coincidence, I bought a Nomad sprayer years ago, for cleaning equipment. I barely used it. Three galon tank, and discharges to a garden hose fitting. I will try that today, and see if I can pink the water lines on the trailers, with that.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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I got a little sump pump that would work, and auto shut off when the bucket gets low.

Greg

[Stormin Mormon]

Yesterday, I did some air pressure, blowing water out of lines. Also, check air pressure in the tires. Several were about 15 or 20 PSI, should be more like 50 PSI. Spray all the tires with Armor All. Help cut down on sun UV damage.

A couple of the trailers have 12 volt marine batteries for some of the appliances. And said batteries need charging. I've got a plug in charger, might have to leave it over night, and then move it to the next trailer.

One of the batteries reads zero volts, won't give that any charger time. Others are 10.5 or so, and will need a lot of time.

Will also get a chance to try out my Nomad portable sprayer, use it to pump pink stuff into the lines.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

[Art Todesco]

On mobile RVs, there is usually a DC pump used to pump clean water from the holding tank to all the faucets, etc. I disconnect the side that goes to the tank, connect a 3' piece of hose, to the pump and put it into a jug of the pink stuff. I have to hold the jug about level with the pump to provide priming. Then I just enable the pump and run each faucet or toilet until it gets pink. This also can be used the fill the sink traps. But, if you don't have an on-board fresh water tank, you have to improvise. Electronic Goldmine has a nice little 12VDC pump that develops 35PSI

With the proper fittings, it should work well and for only $13. BTW, I have

2 of these pumps. I'm planning on putting a hot water loop in the house to reduce the time it takes to get hot water at the furthest faucet from the water heater.

[Stormin Mormon]

Nomad pump works nicely. Takes about two galons of pink stuff per trailer. Four gal did two trailers. Going back to Walmart to buy more pink stuff, after I finish late lunch.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

A couple of the trailers have 12 volt marine batteries for some of the appliances. And said batteries need charging. I've got a plug in charger, might have to leave it over night, and then move it to the next trailer.

One of the batteries reads zero volts, won't give that any charger time. Others are 10.5 or so, and will need a lot of time.

Will also get a chance to try out my Nomad portable sprayer, use it to pump pink stuff into the lines.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

[Stormin Mormon]

You know, that's a good idea. I saw a couple 12 volt bilge pumps at Kmart, a year or so ago. They could be pressed into service, if needed.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

On mobile RVs, there is usually a DC pump used to pump clean water from the holding tank to all the faucets, etc. I disconnect the side that goes to the tank, connect a 3' piece of hose, to the pump and put it into a jug of the pink stuff. I have to hold the jug about level with the pump to provide priming. Then I just enable the pump and run each faucet or toilet until it gets pink. This also can be used the fill the sink traps. But, if you don't have an on-board fresh water tank, you have to improvise. Electronic Goldmine has a nice little 12VDC pump that develops 35PSI

With the proper fittings, it should work well and for only $13. BTW, I have

2 of these pumps. I'm planning on putting a hot water loop in the house to reduce the time it takes to get hot water at the furthest faucet from the water heater.

[Stormin Mormon]

What fittings ont hat pump? THreads, or smooth, or?? Hose barb?

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

But, if you don't have an on-board fresh water tank, you have to improvise. Electronic Goldmine has a nice little 12VDC pump that develops 35PSI

With the proper fittings, it should work well and for only $13.

[Stormin Mormon]

Got more pink stuff. I spent a few hours with my air compressor, blowing out the lines. Rain tomorrow, perhaps. Might need to wait till Saturday or Monday to pink the last three trailers. And then, disconnect the sewer lines, and stow them. Thanks to all who offered wisdom and help.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

A couple of the trailers have 12 volt marine batteries for some of the appliances. And said batteries need charging. I've got a plug in charger, might have to leave it over night, and then move it to the next trailer.

One of the batteries reads zero volts, won't give that any charger time. Others are 10.5 or so, and will need a lot of time.

Will also get a chance to try out my Nomad portable sprayer, use it to pump pink stuff into the lines.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

[Thunderstorm Norm]

I'd been thinking for last few years, that the government should not be telling doctors what to prescribe, or what not to prescribe. But, you worded it a bit better than I was able to.

Someone told me years ago, you can only sue the govenment, with the government's permission.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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Oh, you're talking about microchips? For a moment, I thought you meant cable TV.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

[Stormin Mormon]

Thanks, Chris. Hey, you know. That's a great name.

Should doctors have the right to prescribe heroin, or LSD? Opium? Methamphetamine?

Curious to see what I think.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

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Someone told me years ago, you can only sue the govenment, with the government's permission.

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus

.

[krw]

Of course the other side of that is "why should they have to?"

You don't know? ;-)

[Art Todesco]

Hose barb.