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Winterizing

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https://www.barthmobile.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3631087061/m/6683939577

11-27-2012, 02:45 PM
RainCatcher
Winterizing
One of the steps that the winterizing instructions that came with our coach said that I should open the "floor drains". I have found the fresh water tank drain however I don't see or know where to look for the "floor drains". Does anyone know where I should look for them? Confused


"Keep On Truckin"
94 30' Breakaway #3866
5.9 cummins on spartan chassis
11-27-2012, 09:14 PM
bud@YXY
Our Breakaway has two in the "water" compartment one labeled for hot, the other cold-- they are a quick turn valve (just 90 degrees)-- plastic. When you look under the bottom of the compartment you can see the plastic hoses below the valve, sticking down a few inches.

Bud


1993 Breakaway 36ft & 1977 20 ft
Spartan: air ride and brakes & P32(?)
Cummins: 8.3 litre 250hp, PACBrake
Allison 3060 (6 spd)
Front entry, side hallway
7.5 kw diesel gen.
1999 2dr Tracker 4X4 5spd, SMI Braking system
11-28-2012, 09:25 AM
Jim and Tere
Our 85 Regal has more water drains than Carter has liver pills. There are a couple near the two fresh water holding tanks, there's one under the kitchen sink that you don't know is there unless you lift up a little trap door, there's one under the bathroom sink that is hidden away, too. They're everwhere Razzer


Jim and TereJim and Tere

1985 Regal
29' Chevy 454 P32
8411 3172 29FP3B
Gear Vendor 6 Speed Tranny
11-28-2012, 09:42 AM
kenny j
our breakaway is only a 28' but it has a tank drain very close to the water tank, towards the drivers seat and then there are two drains down on the floor just below the fridge. those will drain out close to the rear axle. I believe they drain the bathroom and kitchen faucets.
ken
11-28-2012, 09:57 AM
Marvin+Doris
Our 89 Regal had 3 valves. One by the fresh watertank and two under the pantry by the fridge accessed by a trap door. Turn them 90 deg and leave open. Water drains out the coach thru pipes. So you might want to be outside the garage. Put some pink antifreeze in your sinktraps and keep the toilet seal moisturized.


1999 Bluebird Custom 33' 8.3 Cummins diesel pusher

Former owner 1989 Barth Regal 25'


11-28-2012, 10:05 AM
Marvin+Doris
Leave the faucets open


1999 Bluebird Custom 33' 8.3 Cummins diesel pusher

Former owner 1989 Barth Regal 25'


11-30-2012, 08:17 PM
Nick Cagle
Winterizing was discussed in great detail a few years ago. My wife, Donna, assures me that it is a VERY SIMPLE task.

Stop at your local fuel stop and fill the tank. Now drive far enough south that it never freezes.

Now I know some of our members from the great White Northlands may not know how far south to travel, so the following is just a suggestion.

Tie your Snow Shovel to the grill area of the coach before leaving home. When someone ask "what's that tied on the front of your coach------------ your just about there.

Nick
11-30-2012, 09:14 PM
RainCatcher
quote:
Stop at your local fuel stop and fill the tank. Now drive far enough south that it never freezes.

I would take Donna's advice however I'd have to go without Karen as she is still employed and the only one with a regular paycheck. wack We'll follow Donna's advice next year, Karen will be retired then. Big Grin

As to winterizing, I finished today. I found two floor drains under the vanity in the head. There is a third spigot in the black/grey water drain compartment which is the lowest point on the coach. After reading the "Winterizing" advice in old posts I hooked up my air compressor and blew out all the fixtures including the toilet using no more than 40psi of pressure. As an afterthought I switched on the "Fill" valve switch and blew out the line to the tanks from the valve. I then added RV antifreeze to all the drains and toilet. The whole thing took about an hour. I'm ready for what ever the winter brings which has been rain for much of the last three weeks. Frowner
Thanks to all who offered advice.

Cheers,


"Keep On Truckin"
94 30' Breakaway #3866
5.9 cummins on spartan chassis
11-30-2012, 10:44 PM
Rusty
I winterized my coach today - hung a sweater in its closet. Big Grin


Rusty


MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP; built-to-order by Peninsular Engines:  Hi-pop injectors, gear-driven camshaft, non-waste-gated, high-output turbo, 18:1 pistons.  Fuel economy increased by 15-20%, power, WOW!"StaRV II"

'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP

Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers

Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering.
- Arthur C. Clarke

It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields
11-30-2012, 11:18 PM
Mogan David
Be sure to winterize yourself too, Rusty (with plenty of toxic (90 proof) antifreeze cheers
11-30-2012, 11:23 PM
Rusty
I keep that training up year-round. Big Grin


Rusty


MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP; built-to-order by Peninsular Engines:  Hi-pop injectors, gear-driven camshaft, non-waste-gated, high-output turbo, 18:1 pistons.  Fuel economy increased by 15-20%, power, WOW!"StaRV II"

'94 28' Breakaway: MilSpec AMG 6.5L TD 230HP

Nelson and Chester, not-spoiled Golden Retrievers

Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not.
In either case the idea is quite staggering.
- Arthur C. Clarke

It was a woman who drove me to drink, and I've been searching thirty years to find her and thank her - W. C. Fields
07-12-2015, 03:11 PM
BarthBluesmobile
Hi,
For the benefit of others..... The floor drains are important drains to be sure to open. There are some in the bathroom, under the kitchen sink, and near the hot water heater in my rig.

I have done this the past 6 years. Right now as I am swapping over the tank within the Atwood water heater, I see that there is also a drain plug that is accessed from the outside of the rig. For reasons unknown to me (and those reasons might include my error) the water did not drain from the tank, and the aluminum tank has a 6 inch split in it.

So be sure to check if your water heater has a drain plug, and pull it out in the fall. I had never done that before. I will never fail to do it again!

happy motoring!
Matt


1987 Barth 27' P32 Chassis
Former State Police Command Post
Chevrolet 454
Weiand Manifold, Crane Cam, Gibson Exhaust
07-12-2015, 07:35 PM
Mogan David
I've always removed the anode from the Suburban
08-10-2015, 10:54 PM
J Davis
The first winter I owned the Barth, I opened all of the drains, and blew air through the lines, but in the spring I had a split water pipe under the shower. Last year I drained everything, or so I thought. When I filled the water tank this spring I had a cracked water filter between the tank and the pump.. The fill valve on the back of the commode was cracked also and water was pouring out of that.. Looks like a small leak under the water heater or could be coming from the refrigerator. This year, the fill valve is going to be disconnected, the filter for the pump is coming out after I blow air through the lines. Every year is a new plumbing experience.
08-12-2015, 08:41 AM
Mogan David
quote:
Every year is a new plumbing experience.

because water remains where the amount of air volume you have does not blow it out.
Pink RV antifreeze is not very expensive. The problem I had with the Breakaway, and must take steps to avoid in my FT, is retained water freezing in water filter(s).
Filter, particularly large canister under kitchen sink, must be removed and drained. The water heater should be drained and bypassed. Then let your RV water pump push antifreeze until you can see that it comes through all faucets, toilet and fills drain traps.
I learned, the hard way, that the FloJet pump in my FT does not drain itself. I got lucky in that regard. When the water trapped in it froze, only the pressure switch housing (attached to the back) broke. did not need to replace entire expensive 4.5gpm pump.