eribac
Minnesota
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We are leaving for our last camp of the year tomorrow, and I have a question about my black tank.
Through the summer after I dumped, I added about 3 gallons back into the black tank to keep the smells down. When do my final dump for the season this weekend, do I still want to add water to my tank? Or, do I want to leave it dry for winter storage? (I live in Minnesota, and although the last couple of winters have been relatively warm, it does freeze up here  )
I'm thinking that I should add a couple gallons water, and then when I winterize add about a quart of antifreeze. Is my thinking correct here?
Thanks,
--eric
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Bearnkat
Fort Worth, Texas
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I'm sure others with more experience in cold weather winterizing will chime in, but I think your correct in your thinking. The only thing I'd do differently would be to add around 3-4 gallons of water and a gallon of RV antifreeze instead of just a quart, but that's just me.
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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I think you've got it. Best to NEVER let the black tank dry out. Only thing I'd suggest is don't skimp and make that about a gallon of antifreeze. It'll freeze the contents into a slush but prevent any damage in tight spots around fittings etc. Don't forget to put a cup or so IN the toilet to keep the seal moist all winter also. Good luck / Skip
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RetiredArmyCWO
Richmond, VA
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I think your idea is sound. There are seals which can dry out and leak.
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Keith M
Cle Elum
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When you winterize I would drain all the tanks including the hot water. Then run the lines completely dry until air is coming out. After that you should put about 4 gallons of RV anti-freeze in the fresh water tank and pump it through all the lines. Pour another gallon or two into the black water tank and you are done. Last year we had an early freeze and I failed to get the RV anti freeze in the lines. The freezing caused a valve to break in the toilet, the outside shower fixture, and the inside shower fixture. All of this stuff broke because its made of plastic. The two sink faucets were normal plumbing grade and withstood the freeze. Everything else withstood the freeze.
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PackerBacker
Montreal, Quebec,Canada
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I use my normal process of replacing 2-3 gallons of water in the tank along with a small 8oz bottle of Aqua-Kem. I then winterize by running the pink anti-freeze through the toilet plumbing and leave it for the winter.
There is lots of room for any freeze expansion but it never really freezes. Years ago I checked one time during a -35F cold spell and it was slush.
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M GO BLUE
Southgate, MI
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Completetely drain all water from the water lines, low-point drains, fresh water tank, water heater, black tank, and grey tank...no water should be left anywhere in the RV
After winterizing with the pink RV antifreeze throughout the water lines, the antifreeeze will keep any seals moist that need to be moist
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4Kings
NE Missouri
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Keith M wrote:When you winterize I would drain all the tanks including the hot water. Then run the lines completely dry until air is coming out. After that you should put about 4 gallons of RV anti-freeze in the fresh water tank and pump it through all the lines. Pour another gallon or two into the black water tank and you are done. Last year we had an early freeze and I failed to get the RV anti freeze in the lines. The freezing caused a valve to break in the toilet, the outside shower fixture, and the inside shower fixture. All of this stuff broke because its made of plastic. The two sink faucets were normal plumbing grade and withstood the freeze. Everything else withstood the freeze.
I've never put antifreeze in the fresh water tank. Just disconnect the inlet side of your water pump and place a tube in a jug of antifreeze.
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hemlox
Western Illinois
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Don't skimp on the AF, it's cheap and will protect your rig against freezing. I agree not to add AF to the FW tank, and I always leave a couple gallons in the black tank, you don't want the tank to dry out, any solids in the tank will get hard as a rock. A good way to really clean the tank is to dump a couple bags of ice down the toilet with some water, and then drive around a bit to get the ice to "scrub" the tank. That does a great job to really clean out the tank. Good luck and welcome to the forum.
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Keith M
Cle Elum
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Anti-freeze in the fresh water tank? I have never had any problems? The first trip out I will open the tank and let it drain and rinse it out. It takes a while to get the anti-freeze out of the lines. The anti-freeze is non toxic anyways. By the time its flushed out its diluted to where there is almost none. Also if you are traveling while everthing is frozen you can still use your toilet. I fail to see where a small amount in the bottom of the tank is going to make much of a difference considering the amount in all the lines.
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