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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 completely winterize
your Airstream, 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. On rear bath
models, two are located in the rear trunk
(roadside).On center bath models, one is
located under the bed on the roadside,
and three are 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 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 pump has removed all water 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.
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.
9. Pour a cup of 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 impor¬
tant as the sewage in the tanks, if
frozen, could seriously damage the
tanks.)
11. Remove the cartridge of the water
purifier and leave the purifier valve in
the open position.
12. Remove the battery from your Airstream
and store in a cool dry place where
there is no danger of freezing. It is very
important for optimum life of your bat¬
tery to check it periodically and to keep
it fully charged.
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 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.
43
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