winterizing procedure

How is everyone winterizing your Cat? I have a 29rlbs and will be doing this for the first time on the Cat. Do you use Rv antifreeze or blow out the lines? If using Rv Antifreeze do you unhook the input line to the pump and feed the RV/AF in there or have you installed a valve and another input hose?? That's what I did on my TT. I put a T in linebefore the pump and added a shutoff valve before the T.and another on the line feeding the rv/af. worked great. I just put the hose into the rv/af opened the valve to the rv/af and closed the valve to the fresh water tank. Thus the rv/af was pumped throught the TT. Just wondered how everyone was doing this?? Appreciate any feedback. Thank You

Winterizing Wildcat
1. Drain holding tanks
2. Drain water tank, leave drain open
3. Bypass water heater
4. Remove water heater drain/anode 1 1/16” socket, leave out
5. Bypass water filter, remove old filter
6. Open faucets
7. Open low point drains, allow to drain
8. Close faucets
9. Close low point drains
10. Blow water out of lines with air (40psi max), open each faucet in turn
11. Use water pump winterizing intake kit, insert tube in antifreeze
12. Open each faucet cold then hot, in turn until antifreeze flows
o Kitchen sink
o Bath sink
o Shower
o Toilet
13. Make sure antifreeze is in each sink trap
14. Open low point drains, allow antifreeze to drain
15. Close low point drains


De-Winterizing Wildcat
1. Using water pump winterizing kit, insert tube in fresh water
2. Pump several gallons through any faucet to clean out water pump
3. Hook hose to city water with regulator, turn on
4. Open low point drains, run until clear, close low point drains
5. Begin running water through all faucets until clear, run for 1 hour or more
6. Install water heater drain/anode, use Teflon tape
7. Normalize water heater bypass, allow to fill
8. Normalize valve on water pump winterizing kit
9. Install new water filter
10. Normalize water filter bypass
11. Flush fresh water tank
12. Fill fresh water tank

WOW Scott, you said it all.

Nothing more to add from me.

couldn't have said it any better. great job.

Just for clarification, you need to install a Winterizing Kit to make it easy to get the anti-freeze into the system and a Bypass Kit on your water filter. While your at it, purchase a Blow Out Plug. FR was kind enough to install a water heater bypass for you.

None of this is mandatory, just makes life easier.

I motion to put a moratorium on the use of the "W" word for at least another 30 days!!

Could I get a 2nd on this motion?

All in favor, say AYE!!

TC

I second the motion. Last year I *interized my cat in October, then ended up de-*interizing it because it stayed warm enough to go out again. This year, I wait for hard frost.

I winterize basically the same way except that I open the low point drains before I remove the anode rod from the water heater. You don't get quite as wet that way. I don't have a water filter bypass, after I remove the filter I let the housing fill with antifreeze. I don't bother blowing the lines out either, I think it's redundant since you will be putting antifreeze in the lines anyway. Most people that blow out the lines don't put any antifreeze in the plumbing.

AYE!!

At least 30 days, of not 60.....

I'm from Texas what's Winter

My boys swim Mar to Dec without the pool being heated.

That's what I have always done. Idon't blow out the lines either. I run the antifreeze through all the systems. I was wondering what everyone was doing for the water filter and to pickup the antifreeze. I appreciate the feedback on the bypass valves for the water filter. What one did you use? The Camo site listed theree, depending on the hot water heater. I guess the 8' would work. I also like the valve for the pickup of the antifreeze. I made mine on my old trailer but this way you only have one valve, nice.. Thanks for the feedback. I am going to the Hershey camper show Wed 9/10 I'll be looking for some of these items..

Duke wrote:That's what I have always done. Idon't blow out the lines either. I run the antifreeze through all the systems. I was wondering what everyone was doing for the water filter and to pickup the antifreeze. I appreciate the feedback on the bypass valves for the water filter. What one did you use? The Camo site listed theree, depending on the hot water heater. I guess the 8' would work. I also like the valve for the pickup of the antifreeze. I made mine on my old trailer but this way you only have one valve, nice.. Thanks for the feedback. I am going to the Hershey camper show Wed 9/10 I'll be looking for some of these items..

I used part number 35963, 12" hose. The 8" hose is too short. Photos

If you don't blow out the lines, you have to make sure you get the water out of the line between the pump and the city water inlet. The inlet has a check valve in it. That prevents water from squirting out when you use the pump, but it also prevents anti-freeze from going up that line.
You can manually depress the valve from outside, but you run the risk of damaging it, plus you will probably get wet in the process.

AVid

Good point, I forced antifreeze into the outlet in my old trailer. I like your idea. This is something that can be overlooked. Thanks for the reminder.. Duke

The first year, I just used anti-freeze. The second year and from now on, I plan to use air and anti-freeze; not much extra effort.

scottz wrote:The first year, I just used anti-freeze. The second year and from now on, I plan to use air and anti-freeze; not much extra effort.

That's what I do, too.

Hi Guys! I have been away for awhile. I did buy the antifreeze pickup kit at Hershey show. I got the one that was recommended here. I also found out today that my 2009 cat has a water heater bypass already. That was a nice surprise. Gotta go its getting late. I still need the bypass for the water filter. Hapy camping.

I just use the anti-freeze and do not blow out the lines. I have never had any issues over the winter up here in MI.

I also have friends that just blow out the lines and only use the anti-freeze for the traps. They havent had any problems either.

Dont you think doing both is overkill? When you pump the anti-freeze thru, you push all of the water out of the lines ahead of it. Or by using your low-point drains, you get rid of most of the water prior to putting the anti-freeze in.

I plug in an electric heater, open cabinet doors and drain fresh water tank / low point drains. Keep in mind we typically don't stay below freezing for more than a few days at a time.

That's what I did this time. I used both , air then anti freeze. I know it's over doing things. I feel good about the job so I guess it's worth the extra effort. I was thinking how it sometimes gets cold before I am ready to quit camping. Well in those situations , I think I will just use the Air and put some anti freeze in the traps. Then when it get 's put away for the winter I'l do the complete job. I have friend that just use air and they don't have any issues. Also, the dealer uses air and than puts some anti freeze in the traps. Guess that's good enough.

I don't know if this was covered or not but if you have an outside shower don't forget to run the anti-freeze though those lines too.