De-winterizing

[efllal]

I have always had my 2001 Niagra de-winterizes at the dealer.  I didn't have it done thois year because I didn't think I could get to camp.  Thjing change.  If I can get it de-winterized myself, I can get out next Saturday.  Does anyone have detailed instructions on how to de-winterize a 2001 Niagra?

Thanks Ed & laura
2001 Niagra
2006 Durango

[dthurk]

Flush.

Actually, I would think the toughest part of it would be sanitizing the water system.  Do a search for sanitizing.  There are a lot of threads already dealing with that topic.

How do you like your Durango?

[tlhdoc]

Here is how to dewinterize.

If they used RV antifreeze ( the pink stuff), drain as much of it out of the camper as you can.  Flush the rest of the antifreeze by running water through the system to get it all out.  This included the outside shower, inside shower and the kitchen sink.  Your water heater will be bypassed.  This means that the hot water line is not connected to the water heater.  You will need to un-bypass the water heater.  It will be bypassed in one of two ways.  Either there will be a short hose with thumb fittings on each end that the hot water lines coming in and out of the water heater are connected to OR there will be a permanent bypass on the water heater.  If you have the bypass hose just unscrew the water lines from each end of the hose.  Then attach the hoses to the water heater.  You don't need any tools to do this.  There are thumb fittings on the ends of the bypass hose.  One hose is longer than the other.  It connects to the higher opening on the water heater.  If you have a perm ant bypass on the water heater you just turn the lever/levers (one or two of them) so that water can now enter the water heater.  Once the water heater is no longer bypassed and water can enter the water heater, mix up one fourth cup of regular bleach (not the concentrated) with a gallon of water and pour that into your fresh water holding tank.  Fill the tank with fresh water.  Now run the bleach water through your entire water system, including the water heater.  I refill the fresh water holding tank after I fill the water lines with the bleach water.  Let the bleach water sit for at least one hour.  Then drain the bleach water from the water tank and the  water heater (there are valves under the camper coming from the water heater).  Fill the fresh water tank with clean water and pump it through all of the water lines to rise the bleach water away.  Your water system is now dewinterized.  It took me longer to type this than it will take you to un-bypass your water heater.

[efllal]

I just picked up the Durango.  I haven't towed with it yet.  I have to install the electric brake and hopefully I'll use it on the weekend.  I was towing with a 2000 grand Caravan.  This should be a great improvment.  IU'll let you know how it tows after its firstt trip.  Thanks for the info on de-winterizing.

Ed

[tlhdoc]

I just picked up the Durango. I haven't towed with it yet. I have to install the electric brake and hopefully I'll use it on the weekend. I was towing with a 2000 grand Caravan. This should be a great improvment. IU'll let you know how it tows after its firstt trip. Thanks for the info on de-winterizing.
Ed

Your welcome.  Please let us know how the trip goes.  You are right that the new TV will make a big difference.