5 replies to this topic

[Ramblinman]

Hello, I am going through the process of winterizing my Hawk. I have completed the instructions as per the owners manual, however, I still notice water in the clear receptacle above and to the right of the flo jet water pump. I also noticed some water in the clear tube that leads so no where. It is attached to a shut off valve directly below the pump. Was this installed as a method to insert anti - freeze?

It will no doubt extremely cold this winter as I live in Northern Canada.

My questions:

1. Is it normal to still have a little bit of water in the lines/tanks?

2. How many of you have used the antifreeze and do you find it is required?

3. Is it possible to get absolutely all the water out?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

I do not want to wake up to any surprises this spring.

Thanks!

[Smokecreek1]

Hello, I am going through the process of winterizing my Hawk. I have completed the instructions as per the owners manual, however, I still notice water in the clear receptacle above and to the right of the flo jet water pump. I also noticed some water in the clear tube that leads so no where. It is attached to a shut off valve directly below the pump. Was this installed as a method to insert anti - freeze?

It will no doubt extremely cold this winter as I live in Northern Canada.

My questions:

1. Is it normal to still have a little bit of water in the lines/tanks?

2. How many of you have used the antifreeze and do you find it is required?

3. Is it possible to get absolutely all the water out?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

I do not want to wake up to any surprises this spring.

Thanks!

Okay, Ramblingman, I'm one of those who uses my FWC year-round and I live in snow counrty (the northern Sierras/southern Cascades (Susanville, Ca-not northern Canada) and camp in snow and cold-one of the winter types like MarKBC and a few others so I have to watch what i do, especially when I get home from a run somewhere during the winter. When I first got my FWC, six years ago, I did what you just did that first winter and even went out and bought some anti-freeze but wait a minute, I was planning to go right back so draining things out all the time was sort of defeating why I bought my FWC in the first place. My major problem was finding a non-frozen water tap to fill up my tanks before my next trip or find a non-snowed in road out of town ,so even though my situation is different, here are a few hints that may help you out.

After you drain your tank, drive around for a while, then park it on a slant and this may be wrong but to get rid of last bit of water i hit the pump (instead of doing all those other things with the hot water heater and tank) and watch the water come out in the sink! Last year I made the mistake of coming back from the coast in a snow storm and forgot to both drain the tank and hit the pump switch when I first got back until a couple of days later and my while my water lines froze up, the tank did not---worry time, but when the sun came out -much to my surprise -everything thawed out. I guess I'm a lucky soul, cause waiting for the sun to show all I could think about was how stupid I was-me who should know better. I've had to tear my whole system apart before when a check valve was put in backward and once when my tank sprung a leak (check the FWC thread on that fun) I had to do it here instead of bringing it in. Again I camp year round and leave the FWC on my truck all the time. While I realize I've been lucky so far, I think these things are made tougher than we think, but if you start doing snow and winter camping like I do, the "official" process for draining the tank/hotwater heater etc., just doesn't work-so you gotta improvise and be real lucky-winter camping is fun and there are allot fewer folk out and about! Hope that helps!

Smoke

[1tonpaulie]

This is really easy. Unhook the suction line to the pump. I cut up a white rv hoes and connected the end to the pump. Put the cut end in the RV anti freeze. Turn pumpand the faucet on and run till just pink comes out. Do not run RV anti freeze through your hot water heater. You will never get the taste of it out. Just pull the plug out. Hope this helps

1tonpaulie

[Hittheroad]

I have never regretted not having a hot water heater. On the stove works fine.

I have a small vacuum/blower to which I can attach a hose that fits over the faucet. Blowing out the lines is a good way to reduce repair work in the Spring.
For winter camping I use 5 gallon containers with their own taps. Sets next to sink and is almost as good as tap water.
And many thanks for bringing up the topic. You got me out of my chair long enough to blow out the hand pump (main tank was already drained). I should know better as I have already had to replace one hand pump.

[Ramblinman]

For those that might be interested I spoke with Terry at FWC today (He returned my call and was very helpful. Thanks Terry!)This is what I got from our conversation.

For very cold climates like the one I live in, RV Antifreeze might not be a bad idea. He advised to close the valve to the hot water tank and pour the RV anti freeze into the Water spout. Turn the taps on, including the shower until the pink antifreeze comes out.

I know, pretty standard stuff. But I have a habit of messing these things up. Hopefully all will be well this spring.

Now where did I put that snow shovel?

Thanks to everyone that posted. I always like to hear how others do business.

[craig333]

Doesn't get too cold here so I don't winterize. When I do travel to where its cold I'm running the heater. So far (crosses fingers) keeping the interior warm has been enough to keep anything from freezing. I may be pushing my luck too.