ThumperEXC
Crested Butte, Colorado
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Joined: 05/12/2008
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Before winterizing my trailer, I open the 4 low point drain valves and the holding tank valve and turn on the water pump to "blow out" as much water as possible. Is this bad for the pump? Any other negative things by using this method?
Thanks
2007 Travel Star 21SSD
2004 F150
2007 Yamaha Grizzly 700
2001 KTM 520EXC
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ScottG
Bothell Wa.
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Joined: 02/25/2005
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Won't hurt the pump at all but there will be a fair amount of water left in the system afterwards. You'll still need to blow out the lines or use antifreeze.
Scott, Grace and Wesly
2003 Dodge 3500 4x4 Cummins (lightly bombed),
2004 Forest River 25RKS many, many mods.
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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I don't really see how the water pump will "blow out" the water. I would think it would just pump till the source dried up then stop pumping. water would still remain in the piping.
bumpy
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SAR Tracker
Sandy Eggo, Calif
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Joined: 05/29/2003
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Plus, the water acts as a lubricant and coolant for the pump. Run it dry for any significant length of time (say, 30 minutes), and you'll probably ruin the pump.
Rusty & Cheryl & Serendipity (dog & Chief Security Officer)
2000 F150 4x4 5.4L/3.55 (108k miles and goin' STRONG!)
2008 Weekend Warrior FB2100
"Common sense is in spite of, not the result of, education" - Victor Hugo (1802-1885)
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08f450psd
Westminster, Maryland
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Joined: 12/24/2007
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Use the low point drains until they run dry, then blow out the lines with an air compressor from the city water inlet, opening each faucet individually. Bypass the hwh, etc., and pump in the pink juice.
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Won't hurt a thing but it's a pretty convoluted way of emptying the tanks. Opening the drain makes a lot more sense.
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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PopBeavers
San Jose, CA
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Joined: 03/19/2005
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When I am in a hurry to drain the fresh water tank, I have used the pump. Compared to just letting gravity drain it, it cuts the elapsed time by about 10 to one.
I figure it is no worse on the pump than a long shower.
Just make sure you are there to turn it off before it runs out of water and overheats the pump.
Wayne in San Jose
TV1:2002 Chevy 1500HD 4wd Crew Cab,Valley Odyssey brake ctlr,McKesh mirrors
TV2:2008 GMC 2500HD long bed 4wd Crew Cab,GMC brake ctlr,GMC mirrors
TT:Trailmanor 2720
Honda 2000
Yamaha WR250R,Polaris Sportsman 700 X2,Polaris Scrambler 500
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Bigdog
silverdale wa.
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Gee,I'm glad I don't have to winterize my rig.. Living up here in the beautiful Pacific NW all we have to do is make sure we're rust and rain-proofed. I just roll in after a trip,hook-up to my shore power,clean the inside,drain the water and rinse the tt.Before we head out again,I reload the TT (actually we have some clothes and towels that get washed and returned to the TT so that we can leave at any time.),wash it and fill the on board tank 1/2 full and I'm ready to go...
No,I don't blow it out and I DON'T use the water pump to pump it out as it got left on once and burned up.
GO COUGARS
2001 Ford 7.3L PSD Excursion
Ride Rite air bags
AFE Stage1 air-inlet
4"MBRP exhaust
Hellwig rear sway bar
2005 Keystone COUGAR 304BHS
Tekonsha Prodigy
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2008 Thomas w/Mercedes-Benz 78 pass. school bus
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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As others have said, No more damage to the pump than pumping that many gallons for consumption/flushing/shower/and so on.
However WHY when you can just open the tank drain.. Yes,,, there is one.. Or two in my case (I was not happy with the factory drain and put in my own)
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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Horsedoc
Dixie --- N. Georgia
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Joined: 09/30/2002
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On our present coach, we have no 'main drain' that I have found. There is a low point drain (1/2 inch maybe?) but our previous coach had what appeared to be an 1 1/2 inch drain with a valve with rod from the valve to the water bay.
It takes quite a while to drain several inches of water from the tank if you don't use the pump.
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