[VAL] Winterizing

["Neal Warren" <uncleneal@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Here are the winterizing instructions that we just printed in the Top of
Georgia newsletter.  Hope this is helpful.   Neal

Winterizing your Airstream
1.  Drain and flush fresh, gray, black and hot water tanks.
2.  Drain water lines.
    If you have low-point drain lines under your Airstream: ( See Owner9s
manual)
    - Open the hot and cold water faucets in your Airsteam.
    - Uncap (or open the valves for) the low point drain lines; Let water
drain completely.
    - Recap (or close the valves for) low-point drain lines.
    - Close the hot and cold water faucets in your Airstream.
3.  Blow out the water lines
     (note: If you have the low-point drain lines, this may not be
necessary.)
    - Screw in the compressed air adapter into the main fresh water inlet.
    (available at Walmart, Camping World and most R. V. Dealers)
    - Apply compressed air, Keep the pressure at 40 PSI or less, Not Over 60
PSI!
    - Open each faucet, one at a time, to force the water out of the lines,
Don9t forget the Commode flush, hand sprayer, shower faucets  (lay the hose
down to drain), ice maker , washing machine and dish washer.
    - Drain the water filter canisters ( if installed on your Airsteam)
    - Open the hot water drain plug and blow out the water in this tank.
    - Remove air compressor  and compressed air adapter.
    - Replace the drain plug in the hot water tank and close all faucets.
    - Before going to step 4, make sure that you have removed all water
filter canisters.
    - Turn off the water valves to the filters or mopping and beating will
begin!! 
4.  Put antifreeze in the water lines.
 (If you are confident you have successfully blown out all the water from
your system, at this point you would add antifreeze to all the traps and
stool. One cup in each is usually enough. Winterizing would be complete at
this point. This is your call! If not proceed with the following steps:)
a.    Use RV Non-toxic Antifreeze only!!!
b.    Approximately 1-2 gallons should be plenty
c.    Make sure the water pump is off and all faucets are closed.
d.    Close the water bypass valve to your hot water tank. NOTE: If you
don9t have a water bypass valve for your hot tank, seriously consider having
one installed. Otherwise in addition  to the water lines you will end
filling the hot water tank with antifreeze. It9s not harmful, but you9ll use
additional six gallons of antifreeze.
e.    Disconnect the water line where it joins the fresh tank.   Or   If
your RV is so equipped, shut off the valve coming from the fresh tank and
open the valve for the winterizing inlet line.
f.    Place the water inlet line  into the RV antifreeze container.
g.    Switch on the water pump; it will start to suck up the antifreeze into
the water lines.
h.    Open each valve of each faucet slowly, one at a time, until red
antifreeze starts coming out. Once flowing shut off the faucet. NOTE: If for
some reason you can9t drain the water lines using the low-point water lines
and you can9t blow out the line with compressed air, you will have to wait
until the antifreeze pushes out the fresh water in the lines before closing
the valve. A rule of thumb, don9t shut the valve until the antifreeze starts
coming out.
i.    Remember to also do this for the toilet, hand sprayer, and the shower.
j.    Shut off the water pump.
k.    Remove the water line from the antifreeze then either:Reattach the
water line to the fresh tank or close the winterizing inlet valve and reopen
the fresh water valve.
l.    Pour a small amount of antifreeze down each drain to ensure that the
sink and shower traps have antifreeze in them.
m.    Pour a small amount of antifreeze in the toilet bowl also. NOTE: Don9t
flush it into the holding tank.
n     You are done.