Winterize Manufacturing - RV Blow Out Plug
I finally found this little ingenious adapter to blow out the water lines in our DWR Airstream to prevent the lines from freezing in the winter. I looked all over, but I could only find hose adapters that were clunky and expensive.
I was able to blow out the whole system, including the water pump, with an air compressor attached to my city water intake on the Airstream trailer in less than an hour without having to run in and out of the trailer non-stop. I’m so happy too have found this little, blue, nicely-machined gem. It is made by Winterize Manufacturing and costs$17.95.
Hi,
I was enjoying looking at your site. I have a DWR I bought 2 years ago. I had the local dealer blow the lines the first two years, but I am cheap. do the lines really need to be blown or do you think that just opening the drains at the water heater and fresh water input would do it? I did order one of those adapters above, but I was just wondering your opinion. Also, I saw an ad for a 2009 DWR? I thought they were only a 2008 offered product. Do you know?
Thanks for your response in advance.
Chaz
Hi Chaz,
First, thanks for liking the site. Blowing out your DWR Airstream is a procedure that takes me about 1 hour with prep. You need to be systematic about blowing out the sink, shower-head, toilet and then the freshwater tank and at last the water pump (very important). The first thing I do is drain the hot water tank from the outside (the big white plastic screw behind the water heater access panel). It just has to drain, there can still be a a little water in the bottom of the tank (you wont get that water out of there anyway). Then it gets busy and I would recommend just watching somebody do it and to write down the steps. But with some knowledge of plumbing you can do it. The next thing is to enable the water heater bypass. Instructions for this are in the manual. It is located in the closet under the white door that flips up. Now you systematically push air through all the valves and when no water comes you can open up the pump drain under the front bench by the fresh water tank. Make sure you close the other valves so you have enough pressure. Then when little water come out the outside I turn on the pump on and run it until it is running dry, not too long. I tip the trailer forward at the beginning and level it out again. You need to make sure you are systematic. Also at the end I open the two drains at the bottom of the trailer by the black water tank valve. Then you need to add RV Anti-Freeze to the sink and shower drain to fill up the drain siphon. ABout a cup in each.
If you are uncomfortable doing this then you should get it done by a Pro otherwise your plumbing bill will be large and your first camping trip of the season will be a disaster. The lines HAVE TO be blown out. Draining does nothing.
Also I thought there also were only 2008 but I think they made nine more DWRs in 2009. Enjoy.
Martin