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Post by kzbxf4 on Nov 3, 2020 14:32:29 GMT -5
Hello, The manual and reading I've done say to winterize your RV in fall and then take it out of mothballs in spring. I think the KZ manual recommended two regularly scheduled maintenance checks: fall and spring. We are planning to use our trailer (Escape 191BH) pretty regularly all year. How should I take care of it, especially the water systems, if we aren't going to put it up on blocks for half the year? Thanks for your time and thoughts. |
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Post by lynnmor on Nov 3, 2020 17:40:49 GMT -5
Your trailer is not designed to be used in below freezing temperatures, thus the winterizing procedure. If temperatures in your area don't drop below freezing, then proceed as usual.
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Post by Edd505 on Nov 3, 2020 22:01:18 GMT -5
I used mine year round also and we occasionally have freezing weather. I use air to blow out lines, empty the heater, and tanks. Make sure you get the black water flush, toilet & shower. Simple to get back in service, fill tank, water heater, and lines. I put a not over the hot water heater - no water, can't forget and burn out a tank.
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Post by laknox on Nov 4, 2020 10:37:40 GMT -5
Winterizing, winterizing, hmmmm... :-)
Lyle
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Post by Edd505 on Nov 4, 2020 14:39:21 GMT -5
Winterizing, winterizing, hmmmm... :-) Lyle That's what I said until it snowed for two days, earliest snow in state history. This is RGV where the snowbirds go. |
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Post by laknox on Nov 4, 2020 15:56:10 GMT -5
Last time it snowed in Chandler was 1938, when my dad was 5. Got a couple pics of him and my aunt, she was 3, in my grandparents' front yard. About 4-5". Phoenix recorded 0.10" that day, and was the last recorded snow in =Phoenix=. I actually drove home through several inches of snow in Scottsdale back in '12 or '13, when a nasty little storm came through. Got pics so I'll have to dig them up to check the date.
Lyle
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rvtravels
Weekender RV’er
Sportmen classic 180QB.
Posts: 83
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Post by rvtravels on Nov 6, 2020 10:59:01 GMT -5
Even if you don't live in an area that drops below freezing, I suggest you still, twice a year, flush out and disinfect the freash water tank and lines. Besides water, check your tires, the frame, the window and other caulking seals. If you travel long distances, make sure the axles are greased. Naturally the brakes need to be inspected as well. The KZ owners manual will have information on looking after the appliances etc.
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Post by gwinger on Dec 18, 2020 20:08:47 GMT -5
Depending on what you mean by "pretty regularly". If it sits for a week in freezing weather, things will freeze. Blowing the will get the water out, but you have do it for a prolonged time to get all the water out. That also means opening the low point drains. The low point drains may not actually be the lowest spots in the water system. some of the water lines may droop going to the fixtures. It doesn't take much water freezing to break a water line or flush valve in the toilet. Drain the water heater and put RV antifreeze in the drains.
It doesn't take long to properly winterize and dewinterize the water system. Better safe that sorry.
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Post by jfspry58 on Dec 23, 2020 9:56:39 GMT -5
Even if you don't live in an area that drops below freezing, I suggest you still, twice a year, flush out and disinfect the fresh water tank and lines. Besides water, check your tires, the frame, the window and other caulking seals. If you travel long distances, make sure the axles are greased. Naturally the brakes need to be inspected as well. The KZ owners manual will have information on looking after the appliances etc. Very good advice! Several years ago, we bought a used fifth wheel that looked to be in amazing condition. Looked like a new trailer inside and out, and it was early spring so it was still winterized. We got it home, flushed the lines and tanks, put some water in the fresh tank, turned on the pump, opened the kitchen faucet, and a terrible smell permeated the trailer. So, I flushed everything again, put additional bleach in the fresh tank and allowed it to sit in the tank and lines for several days. Problem solved, or at least it appeared to be. Every time that trailer sat more than 2 weeks, you had to go through that process again. I have no clue what the problem was but I did everything imaginable short of replacing the fresh tank and water lines. Needless to say, we did not keep that trailer very long! That was also our last used RV purchase. Jay |
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Post by lynnmor on Dec 23, 2020 10:31:02 GMT -5
Very good advice! Several years ago, we bought a used fifth wheel that looked to be in amazing condition. Looked like a new trailer inside and out, and it was early spring so it was still winterized. We got it home, flushed the lines and tanks, put some water in the fresh tank, turned on the pump, opened the kitchen faucet, and a terrible smell permeated the trailer. So, I flushed everything again, put additional bleach in the fresh tank and allowed it to sit in the tank and lines for several days. Problem solved, or at least it appeared to be. Every time that trailer sat more than 2 weeks, you had to go through that process again. I have no clue what the problem was but I did everything imaginable short of replacing the fresh tank and water lines. Needless to say, we did not keep that trailer very long! That was also our last used RV purchase. Jay I have replaced the fill hose on trailers several times, they are virtually impossible to clean. Just adding bleach to the tank without overfilling the entire system allows the fungus and bacteria to grow just waiting to take a swim in the drinking water. |
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Post by laknox on Dec 23, 2020 10:49:31 GMT -5
Strange. My old Komfort never had any issues with the water system going bad, and I wasn't the most diligent about cleaning it. In the 13 years we owned it, I think I sanitized it twice, early on. I always drained the fresh tank after every use (easy, and quick, with a 1.25" drain), drained the water heater a few times and blew the lines out 3-4 times. Only time we ever had any issues was when we camped at a place in the CO coal country and the water had a bit of sulphur smell right out of the ground. Just had to let it sit for about 30 minutes and it went away. The KZ was sanitized at the dealer (at least it was on the checklist) and I drain the fresh water after each use, including low point drains.
Lyle
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Post by jfspry58 on Dec 23, 2020 10:54:26 GMT -5
Very good advice! Several years ago, we bought a used fifth wheel that looked to be in amazing condition. Looked like a new trailer inside and out, and it was early spring so it was still winterized. We got it home, flushed the lines and tanks, put some water in the fresh tank, turned on the pump, opened the kitchen faucet, and a terrible smell permeated the trailer. So, I flushed everything again, put additional bleach in the fresh tank and allowed it to sit in the tank and lines for several days. Problem solved, or at least it appeared to be. Every time that trailer sat more than 2 weeks, you had to go through that process again. I have no clue what the problem was but I did everything imaginable short of replacing the fresh tank and water lines. Needless to say, we did not keep that trailer very long! That was also our last used RV purchase. Jay I have replaced the fill hose on trailers several times, they are virtually impossible to clean. Just adding bleach to the tank without overfilling the entire system allows the fungus and bacteria to grow just waiting to take a swim in the drinking water. You're right, it had to be coming from some kind of mildew, mold, bacteria, fungus hiding somewhere. I did replace the fill hose but the smell kept coming back. I also tried filling the fresh tank with bleach solution and then going for a long drive so that it splashed up onto the top of the tank and hopefully got into all areas but that didn't help either. I guess the bright side of the story is I learned A LOT about RV maintenance from that rig! Jay |
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Post by hedwigsrevenge on Feb 27, 2021 17:26:40 GMT -5
We just had about a week and a half of below zero and freezing temps, the only thing I did was leave the faucet dripping with the grey valve open. I had my fresh tank line (about 3 ") freeze, which caused me to not have water on a day when the pressure from the city was incredibly low. Nothing broke, or burst, I don't think I've ever bothered winterizing if I'm in the unit. If you are going to leave it for any period of time, you should definitely make sure you at least get the water out of the lines though, as it won't take much to freeze and kill the PEX lines/plastic connectors.
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