Storage And W~Nterizing - Airstream 1980 Argosy Owner's Manual

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 hold~ng tanks.
Also, drain the entire water system including
the water heater and the water storage tank.
Instructions for dralr~ing the water system are
explained in the following paragraphs on
winterizing.
Twice a year or after a long storage per~od, 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 completely winterize your trailer,
follow this procedure:
1
.
Level the trailer from side to side and front
to rear. Open all faucets.
2. Turn the water pump switch to the ON
position to expel water from the
storage tank.
3 . Open all drain valves. See page 85 for
location.
4 . While the water is drair~ing from the
system, open and flush the toilet flushing
valve. Depress hand spray lever while
holding the spray head down inside the
bowl. Depress hand spray thumb button
on the telephone shower head while
holding down inside the tub and drain all
water from the flexible hose. Unscrew the
heads on both spray units and store.
5. After all all water has been removed from
the storage tank, turn the pump switch
OFF.
6. Remove exhaust hose from water pump.
7. Disconnect the water pump inlet
connection, and with check valve
removed, turn the pump by hand until all
the water is expelled (belt driven pumps
only).
8. 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 on models so equipped.
9. Pour a cup of approved * nontoxic
antifreeze into the lavatory, sink, and tub
drains to prevent trap freeze-up.
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.)
1 1 . Remove the cartridge of the water purifier
and leave the purifier valve in the open
position.
12. Remove the batteries from your trailer and
store in a cool dry place where there is no
danger of freezing. It is very important for
optimum l~fe of a battery to check it
periodically and to keep it fully charged.
1 3 . Remove any items (food, cosmetics, etc.)
from trailer interior that might be damaged
by freezing
-
or might damage the trailer
if containers break.
* Approved and llsted by a recogri~zed test~ng authority such
as UL (Underwriter Lab)
For additional winterizing protection add a
nontoxic antifreeze (approved for drinking
water systems) to the water lines using the
following procedure:
1 . Reconnect all lines except the hose to the
pump inlet port. Close all drain valves (see
step No. 3).
2. Attach a length of hose to the pump inlet
port. This piece of hose should be long
enough for the free end to be inserted into
and reach the bottom of the antifreeze
container.
3. Dilute the antifreeze solution in accordance
with the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Open all water faucets.
5. Insert hose length into the antifreeze
container, turn the pump switch on, and run
the water pump until the antifreeze solution
fills all water lines and the water heater.
Flush toilet, work hand spray while holding
down in bowl. Work hand shower spray
while holding down in tub.
6. Shut off the pump and close all faucets.
7. Disconnect the hose length from pump inlet
fitting and reconnect water system inlet line.
Note: If you wish to bypass your water heater
in order to cut down on the amount of
antifreeze necessary, you may purchase a kit
for th~s purpose from a Wally Byam Store.