Woodbooger
Member
My wife and I are new to RVing. We have been decades-long backpackers, but now we are officially old - 60 - and sleeping on the ground in a tiny tent isn't pleasant anymore with the mounting issues that come with age. I have trolled this forum for months; this is my first post.
We bought a used 2008 Gulfstream M21B TT a couple of months ago. As it turned out I didn't do as good a job of checking everything out as I should have despite all the reading I did on the subject. While all the equipment works well, the only place I didnt check for water damage was the shower. I discovered major damage from the roof to the floor. Had to dismantle the bathroom entirely (it was ugly, very ugly), replace (and improve) all the framing in that corner of the rig and rebuild the shower with 1/4" luan and FRP all aroud. Removed the dinette which took up too much precious space inside and built a couch/bed with storage underneath. Also replaced the thin sheet vinyl flooring throughout with glue down vinyl plank flooring left over from a commercial job. I figure I added 150 pounds but the unit is super light anyway and we don't pack much stuff into it while towing. Cleaned and re-caulked evrything outside. Applied Eternabond tape at all corner seams, roof and sides. Anyway, all is good now.
We have only had one opportunity to use the camper since we completed the repairs/mods. Took a trip to Holliday Lake State Park (Appomattox, VA) about two hours from home for a test run. No significant issues, just a list of "tweaks", even cosidering the very unlevel site. We might not get to go again before the need to winterize, which brings me to my question.
I have read quite a bit and watched several videos on winterizing. Still not decided on exactly what I am going to do or how. I would like to hear opinions from some of you RV veterans.
I used an electric tire inflator to blow out the water lines after draining the fresh water tank. Removed the anode rod and drained the water heater. Drained both holding tanks. My question has to do with antifreeze, whether/how to introduce it to the water lines or just to the p-traps in the waste lines.
My understanding is that the city water fill bypasses the fresh water tank and provides pressurized water to the plumbing system, while the water pump pushes water from the tank into the system. There should be an easy way to introduce the antifreeze through the city water fill; that is, if antifreeze is even necessary since the lines were blown out. I've seen videos where a hose is added at the inlet side of the pump and the antifreeze is drawn into the system from the jug at that point. But I have to crawl under the bed and contort myself to get to the pump and I really don't feel like doing that. It's bad enough to get in there to open and close the fresh water tank drain valve. And, I struggle with how long to run the water pump to empty residual water; it spurts water/air for quite some time. I have not run the pump to the point where no water comes out for fear of damaging the pump. So:
1. Do I need to put antifreeze in the water lines if I have blown the lines out?
2. What about the water pump if I don't?
3. What is a common (easy) way to do it if I do?
Thanks for letting me ramble on about this. Your input would be much appreciated.
We bought a used 2008 Gulfstream M21B TT a couple of months ago. As it turned out I didn't do as good a job of checking everything out as I should have despite all the reading I did on the subject. While all the equipment works well, the only place I didnt check for water damage was the shower. I discovered major damage from the roof to the floor. Had to dismantle the bathroom entirely (it was ugly, very ugly), replace (and improve) all the framing in that corner of the rig and rebuild the shower with 1/4" luan and FRP all aroud. Removed the dinette which took up too much precious space inside and built a couch/bed with storage underneath. Also replaced the thin sheet vinyl flooring throughout with glue down vinyl plank flooring left over from a commercial job. I figure I added 150 pounds but the unit is super light anyway and we don't pack much stuff into it while towing. Cleaned and re-caulked evrything outside. Applied Eternabond tape at all corner seams, roof and sides. Anyway, all is good now.
We have only had one opportunity to use the camper since we completed the repairs/mods. Took a trip to Holliday Lake State Park (Appomattox, VA) about two hours from home for a test run. No significant issues, just a list of "tweaks", even cosidering the very unlevel site. We might not get to go again before the need to winterize, which brings me to my question.
I have read quite a bit and watched several videos on winterizing. Still not decided on exactly what I am going to do or how. I would like to hear opinions from some of you RV veterans.
I used an electric tire inflator to blow out the water lines after draining the fresh water tank. Removed the anode rod and drained the water heater. Drained both holding tanks. My question has to do with antifreeze, whether/how to introduce it to the water lines or just to the p-traps in the waste lines.
My understanding is that the city water fill bypasses the fresh water tank and provides pressurized water to the plumbing system, while the water pump pushes water from the tank into the system. There should be an easy way to introduce the antifreeze through the city water fill; that is, if antifreeze is even necessary since the lines were blown out. I've seen videos where a hose is added at the inlet side of the pump and the antifreeze is drawn into the system from the jug at that point. But I have to crawl under the bed and contort myself to get to the pump and I really don't feel like doing that. It's bad enough to get in there to open and close the fresh water tank drain valve. And, I struggle with how long to run the water pump to empty residual water; it spurts water/air for quite some time. I have not run the pump to the point where no water comes out for fear of damaging the pump. So:
1. Do I need to put antifreeze in the water lines if I have blown the lines out?
2. What about the water pump if I don't?
3. What is a common (easy) way to do it if I do?
Thanks for letting me ramble on about this. Your input would be much appreciated.
