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Storage and
Winterizing
When storing your trailer for short or long
periods use the same precautions as you
would
in
your own home in regard to
perishables, ventilation and rain protection. In
addition, for prolonged storage periods, flush
out all the drain lines and the holding tanks.
Also, drain the entire water system including
the water heater and the water storage tank.
Instructions for draining the water system are
explained
in the following paragraphs on
winterizing.
Twice a year or after a long storage period, we
suggest you take your unit in for a check-up
and cleaning of the gas operated appliances.
The main consideration in winterizing is to
guard against freezing damage to the hot and
cold water systems, the waste drain system
(including the traps), the waste-holding tanks,
the water heater and the battery. To com¬
pletely winterize your Airstream, follow this
procedure:
1.
Level the trailer from side to side and
front to rear. Open all the faucets.
2.
Turn the water pump switch to the OFF
position.
3.
Open
all drain valves.
On rear bath
models, two are located in the rear trunk
(roadside), and three are under the galley
sink. On center bath models, one is
located under the bed on the roadside and
three axe under the galley sink. On all
models one is located on the water heater
accessible through
the exterior access
panel.
4. While
the water is draining from the
system, open and flush the toilet flushing
valve. Depress hand spray thumb button
and hold the spray head below rim of the
toilet and drain the hand spray line. There
is danger of damage from freezing if water
remains in these lines and valves. Drain all
water from telephone showerhead flexible
hose.
5. Remove water pump check valve, located
between pump outlet flexible hose and
copper tubing.
6. Lower the front of the trailer as far as the
jack will allow until water ceases to drain,
then crank the jack up as high as it will go
and let any remaining water drain out the
rear drain valves.
7. Disconnect the water pump inlet connec¬
tion, and with check valve removed, turn
the pump by hand until all the water is
expelled.
8. After the water has stopped running from
the drain lines, apply air pressure at the
city water inlet; be sure all drain valves and
faucets are open. This will force any
remaining water from the water heater and
remove any water which may be trapped
in low areas.
9. Pour a cup of antifreeze (Glycol) into the
lavatory, sink, and tub drains to prevent
freezing of water in traps.
10. Be sure to open the waste-holding tank
drain valves and drain and flush the tanks
thoroughly. (This is very important as the
sewage in the tanks, if frozen, could
seriously damage the tanks.)
11. Remove the lower portion of the water
purifier, if your trailer is so equipped, and
drain the purifier.
12. It is very important for optimum life of
your battery to check it periodically and
to keep it fully charged. This is especially
true in winter months when the temper¬
ature may drop below freezing. Please
refer to the battery section for more
information on battery maintenance.
13. Remove any items (food cosmetics, etc.)
from
trailer
interior
that
might
be
damaged by freezing — or might damage
the trailer if containers break.
For additional winterizing protection add
anti-freeze, approved, for drinking water sys¬
tems, to your water lines. This may be
accomplished by reconnecting check valves,
(see step No. 7) and then disconnecting the
flexible line from the water tank and inserting
it into the anti-freeze that has been diluted in
accordance with the manufacturer's instruc¬
tions.
Run water pump until anti-freeze
solution fills all water lines and water heater.
35
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