Question: Escape 19 - Use the Toilet only

[StM2019]

We have a 2018 Escape 19. Would the following work: Use the Toilet only, use no other water in the trailer.

Assumptions: The last time it was winterized, the water lines were blown out with air, and anti-freeze was put in the p traps (kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and shower drain). And a half to 1 gallon of anti-freeze was put in the black tank, and a half to 1 gallon of anti-freeze put in the grey tank. That’s the current state the trailer is in and water pump is OFF.

Would this work: We only want to use the toilet. We do not need to use the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, or the shower. We would be in warm conditions (always above freezing), until we left, and drove into freezing weather.

We would not put any water in the fresh water tank; just leave things as is in the second paragraph above (and have the water pump OFF). We would use the toilet, and every time using it; with a gallon jug, just pour some water in the toilet, and push down the flush lever to flush it. Before we leave the warm conditions to drive into cold freezing weather; drain the black tank, and then put a cup or 2 of anti-freeze down the toilet into the black tank.

My thinking is nothing would freeze, because there is still anti-freeze in the p traps, and all the water lines would still have air only in them. And there is a little anti-freeze in the black tank. Is that correct, and would this work?

Thank you.

 

[cpaharley2008]

Washing hands after using the toilet......?

 

[StM2019]

Yes, washing hands. But will do that in a container like a dish pan with water and soap.

 

[Brian B-P]

We would not put any water in the fresh water tank; just leave things as is in the second paragraph above (and have the water pump OFF). We would use the toilet, and every time using it; with a gallon jug, just pour some water in the toilet, and push down the flush lever to flush it. Before we leave the warm conditions to drive into cold freezing weather; drain the black tank, and then put a cup or 2 of anti-freeze down the toilet into the black tank.

My thinking is nothing would freeze, because there is still anti-freeze in the p traps, and all the water lines would still have air only in them. And there is a little anti-freeze in the black tank. Is that correct, and would this work?
.

Yes, that would work, if you have enough anti-freeze in the black tank, or can wait for the black tank contents to thaw before dumping if it does freeze. Of course the black tank is inside the trailer, but the bottom of it is resting on the uninsulated floor.

It won't work quite as well as flushing the toilet in the intended way, because you won't get flow around the rim.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Firstly, I have to ask, why put antifreeze into the grey and black tanks. In over 30 years of RV ownership I have never heard of this, nor had any troubles.

Secondly, we have just used antifreeze to do a flash while the trailer was winterized a few times when heading south in the winter.

 

[StM2019]

Thanks Brian. That's very helpful.


Steve

 

[StM2019]

Thanks for the reply Jim. The reason I heard for putting antifreeze into the grey and black tanks is because the Handle/Valve that you use to drain the tank (at the bottom of the tank) can freeze, and may do damage to that part if it has water in and it freezes. The Escape Trailer Industries video on winterizing recommends pouring a cup or a little more down the black tank to prevent that. I'm not that familiar with it, that's just what I had heard.


Thanks,
Steve