Water System Winterizing - Fleetwood 1990 Owner's Manual

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freezing temperatures, follow a thorough Winter
Storage procedure.
Winter Storage Below Freezing
Protecting the plumbing systems in your motor
home is the most important aspect of long-term
winter storage. Extensive damage to the plumbing fix-
tures and components, as well as other potential pro-
blems can be avoided by proper draining and an-
tifreeze protection. The following is a procedure check
list you can follow if you prefer to winterize your vehi-
cle yourself. (See PLUMBING Section I
Water System Winterizing
Read this section completely before performing
winterization.
• Perform a complete chassis service and lubrica-
tion as outlined in the Chassis Operator's Manual.
• Drain the fresh water tank by opening the water
tank drain valve. Leave valve open.
• Turn water pump on (12-volt DC power on.) Open
a cold water faucet. When the flow of water stops,
turn the pump off.
• After opening hot and cold water faucets, open
the drain valves on HOT and COLD water pipes.
These valves are located in the water utility com-
partment and drain out the bottom of the motor
home. Leave these valves open.
• Drain the water heater by opening the drain valve
at the bottom of the heater and open the safety
valve. Open the hot water faucets.
• Open all cold water faucets, and depress the flush
pedal or pull the flush levers on the toilet.
• When each faucet has been opened, drained, and
closed, close the water line drain valves, and the
fresh water tank drain valve.
• Drain the shower head by opening the valve. Let
all water drain out the tub spout. Leave the valve
open.
• Drain the waste water system by following the nor-
mal procedure for draining the holding tanks. (See
PLUMBING Section)
• Apply graphite lubricant to the knife valve actuator
rod(s).
• Be sure ALL water from ALL plumbing fixtures has
been drained.
CAUTION: DRAINING THE WATER SYSTEM
ALONE WILL NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE COLD
WEATHER PROTECTION, IF THE MOTOR HOME
IS TO BE UNHEATED DURING FREEZING TEM-
PERATURES, CONSULT YOUR DEALER FOR THE
BEST WINTERIZING PROCEDURE FOR YOUR
CLIMATE. YOUR DEALER CAN WINTERIZE
YOUR MOTOR HOME FOR YOU OR CAN SUPP-
LY YOU WITH ONE OF THE SPECIAL ANTI-
FREEZES WHICH ARE SAFE AND APPROVED
45
FOR USE IN RV WATER SYSTEMS. FOLLOW THE
INSTRUCTIONS FURNISHED WITH THE
ANTIFREEZE.
WARNING: DO NOT USE AUTOMOTIVE OR
WINDSHIELD WASHER ANTIFREEZE IN THE
MOTOR HOME WATER SYSTEM. THESE COULD
BE HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED.
• Pour approximately five gallons of approved RV
water system antifreeze into the fresh water tank.
Be sure tank drain valve is closed.
• Turn the water pump master switch ON.
• Open each cold water faucet, run the water pump
and let about a cup of antifreeze solution flow con-
tinuously through each faucet. Close each cold
water faucet.
• Check the antifreeze level in the water tank. Add
antifreeze solution if necessary.
• Depress the flush pedal (or otherwise operate the
flush mechanism) on the toilet until the antifreeze
solution flows continuously. Release flush
mechanism.
• Check the antifreeze level in the water tank. Add
antifreeze solution if necessary.
• Fill the water heater with antifreeze solution by
the water pump. You can then winterize the hot
water lines by opening each hot water faucet,
allowing antifreeze solution to flow continuously,
and then close each faucet. This will require con-
siderably more antifreeze solution, and you may
choose to do this step before winterizing the cold
water lines so you can recycle the solution.
NOTE: A water heater bypass allows you to turn
off the flow of cold water to the water heater.
You can choose to either completely fill the water
heater with antifreeze solution or bypass it and
drain the water from it when you winterize and
store the vehicle.
The bypass valve is located on the back of the
water heater. You may need to remove a panel
or drawer for access.
• When filling the plumbing systems with antifreeze,
be sure to open and operate all fixtures and valves
allowing the antifreeze solution to flow freely.
• Pour another cup of antifreeze solution down each
drain.
• Remove water purifier filter cartridge (if equipped).
• Install all protective caps:
• Water tank fill
• City water inlet cap
• Waste tank drain outlet cap