Winterizing grey tanks

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   We payed to have our 5th wheel winterized. Upon pulling it into the storage building we pulled the grey tank gate valve and was surprized to find that they were not emptied.

One must specifically ask to have those tanks emptied when paying for winterization.

Glad we checked the tanks as it was -10º F here last month. 

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Kamper Dave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Family Vacation Camper Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Location: WI Status: Offline Points: 225	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kamper Dave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Winterizing grey tanks Posted: 16 Feb 2011 at 8:11am
	We payed to have our 5th wheel winterized. Upon pulling it into the storage building we pulled the grey tank gate valve and was surprized to find that they were not emptied. One must specifically ask to have those tanks emptied when paying for winterization. Glad we checked the tanks as it was -10º F here last month.
	Crossroads Cruiser CF31RE 2010 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 Diesel w/ Bully Dog & Pac Brake.

scott Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 02 Aug 2006 Location: Indiana Status: Offline Points: 630	Post Options Post Reply Quote scott Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2011 at 8:53am
	During the winterizing process antifreeze is poured into each drain. Some of that will make it into the tanks so if there was some liquid left over from the last dump the antifreeze should keep it from freezing. I guess it's possible that just enough antifreeze was used to fill the traps and nothing made it to the tanks.
	Scott '05 2500 HD '04 PF30CK

dalemac377 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Location: Bradley, Il Status: Offline Points: 1103	Post Options Post Reply Quote dalemac377 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2011 at 10:25am
	That's why I do my own winterizing. At least then I know for sure what has been done. If you empty your tanks the last time you are out, then pump anti-freeze through your lines and each faucet, pour some down each sink, shower trap, you will have plenty in each holding tank.
	Dale & Carol 2007 F-250 2010 CF30SK Patriot 2007 CF30SK

mwebber78 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 16 Jun 2008 Location: Maine Status: Offline Points: 1383	Post Options Post Reply Quote mwebber78 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2011 at 11:39am
	I'm with Dale, I do it myself. True story: picked up new motorhome and dealer had performed fresh water pressure test for all systems. They "thought" they winterized the lines and we left after the PDI. For some reason I noticed a drip from a faucet, it was water! We caught it in time and winterized. Some water turned to slush but I warmed up camper and believe I caught it before damage occured. The test will be in the spring when I perform a pressure leak down with a gage.
	Mike 2013 Jayco Eagle 334RBTS Crossroads Forum Lurker

coastn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 08 Dec 2007 Location: Breckenridge,CO Status: Offline Points: 639	Post Options Post Reply Quote coastn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 Feb 2011 at 12:46pm
	3X what Dale said.
	'08 ST30BH '12 Cougar X-Lite 21RBS(SOB) '08 Tundra 5.7L V-8 Equal-I-Zer, Prodigy Heading out from Campground "Driveway"

lenny Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Seasonal Camper Joined: 06 Jan 2009 Location: Whitecourt, AB Status: Offline Points: 302	Post Options Post Reply Quote lenny Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Mar 2011 at 9:11am
	As long as the amount of liquid in the holding tank is minimal, does it really matter if it freezes or not? I can't see it causing any harm as long as the drain lines are not full.
	Ellen - Navigator Boyd - Driver Maybelle (Our Lab) - Supervisor, Window Smearer 08 Dodge 3500 09 VF35CK

Kamper Dave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Family Vacation Camper Joined: 05 Apr 2009 Location: WI Status: Offline Points: 225	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kamper Dave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 Mar 2011 at 1:55pm
	I doubt that the gate valves would survive the ice expansion. Before last fall, I had always done my own winterizing and have never had a problem. Of course, I may use more antifreeze than necessary, but who wants to spend time making repairs?
	Crossroads Cruiser CF31RE 2010 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 Diesel w/ Bully Dog & Pac Brake.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2011 at 4:11pm
	Going with Dale here. If I do it myself, then I know it's been done right. Better to be safe then sorry. You just can't trust people like you use to.

gossamar Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Full Time Camper Joined: 08 Jun 2007 Location: Normal Status: Offline Points: 634	Post Options Post Reply Quote gossamar Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2011 at 8:57pm
	Yep....I will 3rd the motion for the do it yourself group. I use 5-gallons of the stuff, that way I know there will be a good mix in the tanks to help protect the valves....
	2009 CT 31RL. detachable cord, LED lights, 26" tv, access door mod 2011 F350 4x4 LB 6.7 Dark Blue Pearl

NH Horseman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Forum Family Vacation Camper Joined: 17 Oct 2011 Location: Hollis, NH Status: Offline Points: 203	Post Options Post Reply Quote NH Horseman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 Oct 2011 at 7:44am
	Just to be safe, I pour a half gallon of windshield washer fluid in each waste tank thru the drains. I also leave my dump valves open all winter with a rag stuffed into the outlets.
	Jim.B - - NH State Rep - - ZT25SB Zinger (2010 GMC 1500)