Alternatives to Antifreeze?

We live in an area where we will get lots of snow and below zero weather in the winter, so we know we need to winterize our new (to us) 2007 Hi-Lo. Are there any alternatives anyone can suggest to adding antifreeze to the water lines?

We live in Northeastern Pa so we get the snow and cold. The only place I use antifreeze is in the drains. I use my air compressor and blow the lines out 3 or 4 times making sure there isn't any water left in the system. I've done that the last 2 years and haven't had any problems. I intend to do it again this year and don't expect to have any problems in the spring.

What have you got against RV antifreeze? It's inexpensive and, unlike automotive antifreeze, it's not poisonous (although I wouldn't drink it). It's normal practice to disinfect the water system after a long period of disuse, and to do this, I run a full tank of bleach/water mix through all the lines and follow that with a full tank of fresh water through all the lines. There is NO antifreeze remaining anywhere in the trailer when I'm through.

But, Gary's solution is perfectly sound too. I've done it that way one winter and had no problems. I don't think you even have to blow the lines out. If you open all the faucets and all the drain valves in the lines in the trailer, and empty the hot water tank, there will be so little water left in any of the lines that freezing is not a problem. But, there WILL be water in the U-traps under the sinks and shower pan that should be protected with antifreeze. It will be difficult to blow them out completely. I've tried doing it with a plunger, but there's some water left. My toilet has just a straight pipe into the black tank, so there's nothing to freeze there.

- Jack

I went back to the antifreeze when I got nervous about the toilet valve. Before that I used Gary's system. I've read somewhere where someone runs the antifreeze to make sure all water is gone and Then blows the lines. I may do that this fall so it's easier to de-winterized if we go south. Still- I carry antifreeze so I can re winterized when we come back.

I'd use vodka then come spring I just pour me a cup and add OJ.

mbrown said:

We live in an area where we will get lots of snow and below zero weather in the winter, so we know we need to winterize our new (to us) 2007 Hi-Lo. Are there any alternatives anyone can suggest to adding antifreeze to the water lines?

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Welcome to the forum. Like they said, RV antifreeze ain't expensive. I use about 2-3 gallons to do my trailer. Hardest part for me is figuring which way to turn the valves.

Super Tech RV & Marine Antifreeze - Walmart.com

The pink antifreeze is the way to go. Blowing the lines out with air takes care of the lines but not the water pump. With the addition of a "antifreeze fill valve" on the suction side of the pump, you pump directly from the antifreeze jug and protect everything. Just pour some antifreeze into the shower and sink traps. Don't forget the outside shower and toilet. Just my opinion.......

Bob

Also use the bypass valves to isolate the water heater. Don't want six gallons of antifreeze in it. Just drain it and rinse it out. I leave my drain plug out for the winter.

Bob

Or, you could live in Florida and not have to worry about winterizing! Winterizing to us is entertaining Northern Friends. Sorry, had to add that.
Treeclimber

Treeclimber said:

Or, you could live in Florida and not have to worry about winterizing! Winterizing to us is entertaining Northern Friends. Sorry, had to add that.
Treeclimber

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The one year I didn't winterize, we had a record freeze where the temps dropped to zero. Usually we get no colder than 25-30 for a few days.

I was pretty freaked out about the antifreeze, but after some research, I'm leaning towards the propylene glycol based formulas because at least they're less flammable. However, the hubby ran down to Walmart and bought the cheapo ethanol formula before we had this conversation so I guess we'll be using that this winter. "Non-toxic" or not, we'll be flushing the heck out of the system next spring.

What you need to know about RV Anti-Freeze - J&M Camper SalesJ&M Camper Sales