Winterization

If the motorhome will be stored, left unattended, or operated in environments where temperatures may reach or fall below 32°F (0°C), the water system must be properly winterized to prevent freeze damage.

Water expands when it freezes. Water trapped inside plumbing lines, valves, pumps, filters, tanks, fixtures, and appliances may cause cracked fittings, burst plumbing, water leaks, and component failure.

Required Materials

• Non-toxic RV/Marine antifreeze
• Blow-out plug compatible with the city water connection (such as Camco® 36143 or equivalent)
• Oil-less air compressor
• Air pressure regulator set to a maximum of 50 PSI
• Safety glasses
• Five-gallon bucket

Preparations

1. Park the motorhome on a reasonably level surface.
2. Connect the motorhome to shore power.
3. Turn off the water heater and allow it to cool completely.
4. Verify all water fixtures are accessible.
5. Verify the Battery Power Switch is ON if the water pump will be used to drain the fresh water tank.
6. Wear safety glasses.

Winterization Procedure

Step 1 — Drain the Gray Water Tank

The gray water tank should be emptied before draining the remainder of the plumbing system.

The winterization process will discharge water from the plumbing system into the gray water tank. If the gray water tank is allowed to become full, drainage from sinks, showers, and plumbing lines may be restricted, preventing complete evacuation of the water system.

Detailed instructions for emptying the gray water tank are provided in the motorhome’s manual under:

Water Systems > Gray Water Tank > Operating Instructions

1. Connect a drainage hose and place the hose outlet in an approved dump station.
2. Open the gray water gate valve and drain the tank completely.
3. Close the gray water gate valve.

Step 2 — Drain the Fresh Water Tank

The fresh water tank can be emptied in either of the following ways:

• Pumping water out through the shower or sink fixtures.
• Opening the fresh water tank drain valve located on the underside of the tank.

If the water pump is used for draining, the pump must be powered ON during this process.

Regardless of the draining method used, the water pump strainer must be drained to remove any remaining water that could freeze and cause damage.

Detailed instructions for emptying the fresh water tank are provided in the motorhome’s manual under:

Water Systems > Fresh Water Tank > Operating Instructions

1. Drain the fresh water tank completely.
2. Empty any water remaining in the water pump strainer.
3. Turn the water pump OFF.

Step 3 — Empty the Cassette Toilet Cartridge

The cassette toilet cartridge should be emptied before continuing with winterization.

The winterization process will introduce water from the toilet bowl into the cassette tank. If the cartridge is already near capacity, additional water may create handling difficulties later in the procedure.

Detailed instructions for emptying the cartridge are provided in the motorhome’s manual under:

Wet Bath > Cassette Toilet > Operating Instructions

1. Remove the cassette cartridge.
2. Empty the cartridge at an approved dump station.
3. Reinstall the cartridge into the toilet.

Step 4 — Drain the Water Heater

The combination air and water heater is located beneath the driver-side bed. Remove the mattress and open the access panel closest to the kitchen to gain access to the unit.

Water supply valves are installed throughout the heater plumbing system. These quarter-turn ball valves rotate 90 degrees between ON and OFF positions.

• When a valve is open (ON), the handle will be parallel to the plumbing line.
• When a valve is closed (OFF), the handle will be perpendicular to the plumbing line.

Step 5 — Pressurize the Water System

Compressed air is used to remove residual water from the plumbing system.

1. Set the air compressor regulator to a maximum output pressure of 50 PSI before connecting it to the motorhome.
2. Install the blow-out plug into the city water inlet.
3. Connect the air compressor to the blow-out plug using an air hose.

Step 6 — Purge Water from the Plumbing System

The next step is to remove any remaining water from the plumbing system.

Open each fixture individually and allow compressed air to move through the plumbing until only air exits the fixture.

1. Move the fresh water fill valve to the Tank Fill position for approximately 15 seconds, then return it to the OFF position.
2. Flush the toilet until no water is discharged.
3. Open the shower faucet cold side until only air exits, then close it.
4. Open the shower faucet hot side until only air exits, then close it.
5. Open the vanity sink cold side until only air exits, then close it.
6. Open the vanity sink hot side until only air exits, then close it.
7. Open the kitchen sink cold side until only air exits, then close it.
8. Open the kitchen sink hot side until only air exits, then close it.

If an appliance, accessory, or fixture is connected to the washer hookups, turn both the hot and cold hookup valves OFF, then disconnect the water supply hoses from the hookups before proceeding.

1. Place a bucket beneath the washer hookups to catch any remaining water.
2. Open the cold water hookup valve until only air exits, then close the valve.
3. Open the hot water hookup valve until only air exits, then close the valve.

Continue opening fixtures until no visible water discharge remains and only air exits each outlet.

Step 7 — Remove the Cassette Toilet Cartridge

The cassette toilet cartridge can now be removed for storage.

1. Empty any remaining water from the toilet bowl into the cartridge.
2. Remove the cartridge.
3. Empty the cartridge at an approved dump station.
4. Store the cartridge in a location where it will not be exposed to freezing temperatures.

Step 8 — Drain the Gray Water Tank Again

Most of the water removed from the plumbing system will have entered the gray water tank and should now be drained.

Detailed instructions for emptying the gray water tank are provided in the motorhome’s manual under:

Water Systems > Gray Water Tank > Operating Instructions

1. Connect a drainage hose and place the outlet in an approved dump station.
2. Open the gray water gate valve and drain the tank completely.
3. Close the gray water gate valve.
4. Disconnect the drainage hose and reinstall the termination cap.

Step 9 — Protect the Plumbing

This motorhome is designed to be winterized using compressed air. However, drain traps may retain small amounts of water after the plumbing system has been purged. These drain traps discharge directly into the gray water tank and may safely receive RV/Marine antifreeze. The antifreeze helps protect drain traps from freeze damage.

Pour approximately 1 quart (0.95 L) of non-toxic RV/Marine antifreeze into each drain.

1. Pour antifreeze into the shower drain.
2. Pour antifreeze into the vanity sink drain.
3. Pour antifreeze into the kitchen sink drain.

Winterization Complete

After the procedure has been completed:

• Disconnect and remove the blow-out plug.
• Verify all fixtures are closed.
• Verify all drain valves have been returned to their intended storage positions.
• Turn off all plumbing-related appliances.
• Store the motorhome in its winterized condition until it is returned to service.

Cold Weather Storage Tip

If electrical power is available at the storage location, a small thermostatically controlled electric space heater may be used to help maintain the interior temperature above freezing.

An interior temperature of approximately 40°F to 45°F (4°C to 7°C) is generally sufficient to help prevent water remaining in plumbing components from freezing.

Ensure the heater is installed and operated in accordance with the heater manufacturer’s instructions. Keep all combustible and flammable materials well away from the heater, maintain proper clearances around the unit, and do not block airflow.

Returning the Water System to Service

Before using the motorhome after winter storage:

1. Reinstall and inspect any removed components.
2. Fill the fresh water tank with potable water.
3. Flush all water lines until any remaining antifreeze is removed.
4. Fill the water heater before operating it.
5. Sanitize the fresh water system according to the procedure outlined in the motorhome’s manual.
6. Inspect the plumbing system for leaks before normal use.