Touring Coach Winterization - Airstream Interstate Nineteen 2020 Owner's Manual

Maintenance

Touring Coach Winterization

1� Level the touring coach from side to side and front
to rear, turn the water pump off, and disconnect the
city water�
2� Open all the hot and cold water faucets�
3� Open the low point drain valves for cold water
lines, the fresh water tank drain valve, and water
heater drain� There are two fresh water line
low point drain valves� They are located in the
Curbside wheel well� The fresh water tank drain
plug is located on the front of the tank under the
touring coach� The water heater drain valve is
located by the water heater under the roadside
ottoman accessed by removing the service panel�
4� Follow the winterizing instructions for your toilet in
this manual�
5� While the water is draining from the systems
remove, drain, and store the wet bath and the
exterior shower hoses and shower heads�
6� After the water has stopped running, apply at most
50 lb of air pressure at the city water inlet� This
can be accomplished at a service station if no air
compressor is available. Air fittings with regulators
can be purchased for the city water inlet� Be sure
the toilet flush valve, toilet shut off valve, all drain
valves, and all faucets are open and the pump
outlet hose is disconnected� Make sure the water
heater bypass valve has been set to its open
position and the water inlet and outlet valves have
been closed� Air pressure is not recommended to
be used on the water heater for winterization�
The furnace/water heaters manufacturer does
not recommend blowing air through the water
heater system when draining. This method could
cause damage to lines and components. Refer
to the manufacturers user's manual provided for
complete winterization instructions.
7� Water pump: The water pump is located under the
passenger side powered ottoman seat controlled
by the switch on the end of the roof locker and
removing the closeout� Remove quick-connect
outlet fitting from the pump and turn the pump on
briefly to pump out any remaining water from the
pump head and lines from the tank� Check the
water pump strainer to be sure no water remains�
9-14
WARNING
There should be very little water if the tank is
drained� Be sure to have a catch pan or a rag
under the pump to prevent water from spilling into
the touring coach. Leave the fittings disconnected
from the pump until the system is ready to be used
again� Leave a note on the water pump switch that
the plumbing is not connected�
8� Remove the house batteries from your touring
coach and store in a cool dry place where there
is no danger of freezing� 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 temperature may
drop below freezing� If the period of storage is
for 30 days or less, you may turn off the battery
disconnect switch rather than remove the battery�
Continue to check and recharge the battery as
needed, at least weekly in severe weather�
An Optional, but not necessary, method for winterizing
protection, is to add a non-toxic antifreeze (approved
for drinking water system) to the water lines using the
following procedure:
1� Reconnect all lines except the one to the pump
inlet port and close all drain valves�
1� Reconnect all lines except the hose to the pump
inlet port� Close all drain valves except the water
heaters drain valve, it should remain open until the
system is ready to be used again� Leave a note on
the control panel that the drain valve is open and
the bypass valve needs to be closed before use�
2� Attach a length of hose to the water pump inlet
port� This piece of hose should be long enough
for the free end to be inserted into and reach the
bottom of a RV, non-toxic antifreeze container�
3� Check that all interior water faucets are still open�
4� Insert hose length into container containing, RV,
non-toxic antifreeze, turn the pump on, and run
the water pump until the RV, non-toxic antifreeze
solution fills all water lines. Flush toilet.
5� Open exterior shower faucet until RV, non-toxic
antifreeze comes out of the hose, shut off the
valve, and remove the drain valve/hose assembly�
6� Close water fixtures as the RV, non-toxic antifreeze
begins to come out� Shut off the pump when
RV, non-toxic antifreeze has been distributed
throughout the system, and then reopen all faucets
to relieve pump pressure�
7� Disconnect the hose length from the pump inlet
fitting, and reconnect water system inlet line.
2020 Interstate Nineteen