hard freeze on road, learning experience,,,

[CharlesPou]

have 2018 E21C with EZ winterizing value, or sometimes called T value. never seen instructions on how to use it. 1st time, noticed this method left water inlet fill line from potable water tank to pump. so, thought this wasn't good, and never used it again. started pouring 3 to 4 gallons anti-freeze into water tank and pumped through system, worked great, never looked back.

so, was on the road and got caught in hard freeze, what to do? well, didn't do anything, just hoped for the best, and kept inside of trailer warm. next morning, no water, inlet line from potable water tank to pump was frozen. gets worse, dump valves frozen too, can't dump. went 3 days like this until thawed out lols.

I'm fair weather camper and 15 years, 1st time got caught out like this. had anti-freeze to winterize trailer, but was too lazy to do it. also could have dumped, but too lazy for that too, haha,

silver lining on this episode was I learned how to use the so called EZ winterizing value, or T value. key didn't know was to loosen the inlet side to the water pump to relieve vacuum and let the water drop out of the inlet line into the potable water tank. fitting on the inlet side even has ears, wing nut, to make it easy to loosen and tighten. then, drain the potable water tank and dump the gray and black water tanks. at that point, would have been in good shape. so have plan next time, but hopefully no next time.

irony, if didn't freeze up would never have figured out how to use EZ winterizing T value, haha.

have friend with BigFoot, and when he saw pics of the exposed inlet line from the potable water tank to the water pump had very negative opinion of my 2018 E21C. since, he's been keeping eye out to find me BigFoot. actually, after I finally figured out how EZ winterizing value works, and apparently didn't suffer any damage, was pretty impressed with my Escape trailer.

back home, winterized trailer and was amazed how easy it was to use the EZ winterizing value when know how to use it. plus, ended up using less than 1 gallon anti-freeze when used to using 3 to 4 gallons by filling the potable water tank. life is good, all is well. cheers

 

[JohnK-ESC]

Winterizing twice each winter, once prior to our southwest US travels and once after, I think I've got the basics down pat. Facing -10 degree F lows and 3 degree F highs days in a row I've got no choice. And I blow out all water bearing lines prior to pumping anti-freeze. Some little details of which I still need to remind myself are the toilet flush valve, the exterior shower valves - one on each side of our trailer, and isolating the water heater to prevent anti-freeze from going there.

I left one unused gallon antifreeze in the galley sink just to keep it handy during the frigid blast. Checking things out during that blast I found that gallon of antifreeze to be in a semi frozen state - barely slushy, more like ice. Turning the jug upside down the fluid barely moved.
John

 

[CharlesPou]

hello JohnK,

thanks for reply.

I take it you're winterizing between trips? so, what has been your experience on the road? do you use EZ winterizing T value? cheers

 

[JohnK-ESC]

I carry two gallons along on winter trips and yes have winterized on the road. A 25 F forecast is when we pour some fluid into the gray and black tanks, and 20 degrees when we winterize the entire system. I'm not sure what EZ winterizing value is. I simply reposition the valve at the water pump to the open ended hose and insert the hose into and draw from a gallon of antifreeze into the plumbing system. After that it's dry camping for us till weather warms up.
John

 

[CharlesPou]

thanks for reply, appears you have same EZ winterizing T value. do you drain the inlet line from the potable water tank to the water pump? thanks

 

[Ron in BC]

I found that gallon of antifreeze to be in a semi frozen state - barely slushy, more like ice. Turning the jug upside down the fluid barely moved.
John

Wow, I wouldn't expected that. Does the jug say what temperature the antifreeze is good for?

Ron

 

[Mike G]

I assume we're talking about a "T VALVE", not "t value"?

 

[JohnK-ESC]

Charles I drain the fresh water tank but don’t do anything special with the intake tube. I’ve assumed there is some expansion room at the top of that short tube to accommodate and have not yet had a problem. Fingers crossed.

 

[CharlesPou]

yes t valve, not value, valuable comment no doubt, thanks, all replies and comments welcomed. cheers

 

[JohnK-ESC]

Ron, the jug says temp protection to -50F. Temps were -10F.
John

 

[Radar1]

I like having that winterizing valve on my Escape, I had added one to my Scamp when I had it.
I had to winterize again after de-winterizing on my trip across TX when the temps dropped to the low teens for a few days. Had to purchase a jug of antifreeze, drained the tanks, blew air through the lines, and then sucked a cup of antifreeze through the T-line to protect the pump in case any water droplets were still there and collected. Probably overkill but I didn't want to take any chances on cracking anything.

 

[LeonW]

Wow, I wouldn't expected that. Does the jug say what temperature the antifreeze is good for?

Ron

I believe the anti-freeze turns to slush, but does not expand. At least that Is what I was told a long time ago and google seems confirm that if you google "rv antifreeze freeze point".

My own use is to use anti-freeze to fill the lines until all faucets run pink. Then I attach an air compressor and blow out the antifreeze.

 

[Dave Walter]

We went from +35 deg C temperatures in Phoenix to -10 deg C temperatures and snow in northern Alberta when we returned home from vacation in early November last year. I had been worried that could happen so I was prepared for it. I had a gallon of RV antifreeze and a portable air compressor. While in a campground in Utah, it took me about 20 minutes to drain the hot water tank and freshwater tank, blow water out of all of the hot and cold water lines with air (including to the toilet), pour a bit of antifreeze down each drain, and then dump the grey and black tanks. There is no need to use much antifreeze at all, and the trailer only has to have the freshwater tank filled in the spring to be ready to use it again. I have been using this method since getting our Escape new in 2013 and have never had a single issue with anything freezing up in our Northern Alberta winters (where -40 deg C temperatures are common).