urch999
Texas
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I'm sure this is probably a silly question but what are low point drains. When I read posts about winterizing, I always "low point drains" What are they, where are they, are there more than one.
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George H
Washington
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Joined: 06/27/2006
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Usually can locate low point drains by looking for 2 short pieces of water pipe hanging down from bottom of RV. One drain each for the hot and cold water lines. Above these drains is a valve (usually pull knob up to open valve).
These will drain water from everything but hot water tank, probably have to open faucets to allow water to flow.
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gibson2403
Melissa, TX
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Where they are location would depend upon the make of your trailer. George pointed out where their probably are generally located on a trailer. On my Jayco they are located at freshwater tank (middle of right side) and at rear of trailer.
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PopBeavers
San Jose, CA
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In a properly designed trailer, once you open the low point drains and all faucets then there is no reason to add anti-freeze to the water system.
Check the instructions for how to winterize your particular trailer.
Wayne in San Jose
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LarryJM
NoVa
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Sorry double post,
Larry
* This post was
edited 09/17/08 04:13pm by LarryJM *
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974. TRAILER MODS
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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PopBeavers wrote:In a properly designed trailer, once you open the low point drains and all faucets then there is no reason to add anti-freeze to the water system.
Check the instructions for how to winterize your particular trailer.
Might be fine in San Jose but if you live where they have winter you'll need to either blow out the lines or add antifreeze. Low point drains won't assure complete water evacuation.
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LarryJM
NoVa
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PopBeavers wrote:In a properly designed trailer, once you open the low point drains and all faucets then there is no reason to add anti-freeze to the water system.
Check the instructions for how to winterize your particular trailer.
In theory that might be correct, but in today's TTs I would not make that assumption and definitely not if your trailer is not exactly level front to back and side to side since you can have an up attitude from a line to the drain and while a lot of water will still get out that left over could settle at the lowest point once the suction effect is broken and cause a problem. Also things like shower head sprays and outdoor showers can have loops or U's in them where all the water won't drain. Not to mention thinks like traps, etc. For around $4 a year/winterization and a $20 investment you can be 100% guaranteed of no freezing problems.
Also, some low point drains especially in enclosed underbellies only have a cap on them and not a valve and can be a real pain to get to. Mine were about 12" in from the side of the trailer and 6" in front of the axles requiring me to lay on the ground to get to them. I modified my Low Point drains so now they are a breeze to drain along with the HW heater. You can see details in the link in my signature along with many of the other mods I have done in the past year to our new trailer to get it to where we want it.
Larry
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Martyn
Bennett, Colorado, USA
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PopBeavers wrote:In a properly designed trailer, once you open the low point drains and all faucets then there is no reason to add anti-freeze to the water system.
Check the instructions for how to winterize your particular trailer.
Do it that way, here in Colorado and you'll be spending a lot of money replacing pipes come spring.
I always drain through the low point tubes and then make sure that antifreeze fills them - (I cap them while still flowing antifreeze to make sure).
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PopBeavers
San Jose, CA
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Martyn wrote:PopBeavers wrote:In a properly designed trailer, once you open the low point drains and all faucets then there is no reason to add anti-freeze to the water system.
Check the instructions for how to winterize your particular trailer.
Do it that way, here in Colorado and you'll be spending a lot of money replacing pipes come spring.
I always drain through the low point tubes and then make sure that antifreeze fills them - (I cap them while still flowing antifreeze to make sure).
I do not have to winterize, because I live in a warm area and keep my traielr in the garage.
However, I have examined the water lines in my trailer. They do not sag. I can see that if a different trailer has a point in the water lines where it dips down and then rises again the you have something similar to a P trap. You will need to blow the water out of there.
From my faucet to the low point drain, it is all down hill. There is no rise, therefore there is no place for water to collect.
Other Trailmanor owners have discovered that two additional steps are required after draining:
1) turn the pump on momentarily. this will flush what little water is in the pump out of the pump.
2. the outside shower and inside shower spray heads do not drain well remove them.
Water lines in a trailer should never have a low point that can collect water. If they do, then I suggest that it is either a poor design, not properly installed, or the shape of the trailer left no alternative.
I have a hard time believing that doing it my way in my trailer will result in blowing water lines. Doing it my way in your trailer might have that result. Perhaps you have some location in you water lines where the water can collect. There may be a difference in the design between my trailer and yours.
It certainly is safe to use air to blow the water out, as long as the air does not blow the pipes out from too much pressure.
Anything I am not willing to mix with some bourbon is something I am not willing to put into my water system. I have looked at that pink stuff and there is no way I would ever want to drink that stuff, no matter how much it was diluted when flushed out in the spring. I prefer to never have a reason to use it.
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Hornet28BHDS
Parker, PA
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They are just what their name says they are, the lowest points in your water system to aid with draining.
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