Don't forget to make SURE you "blow out" the flushing valves on the John, 'cause that is an area that freezes easily... lots of small passage surfaces exposed to cold air, etc. really, the only way to get this is to blow it out with compressed air or make SURE it's "running pink" with RV antifreeze...

Bill H...
I thought about doing that when I replaced the water pump head, but I really like to remove and flush the inlet filter while I'm winterizing anyway, so the "T" method wouldn't save any time/mess. I flush by connecting my Barth-supplied air fitting through a regulator into my fresh-water extior connection. That air is clean, filtered and dried so it imparts no off-flavor. After the blowing out, I attach an antifreeze supply line directly to the water pump inlet (while the filter screen housing is removed anyway) and suck up a minimum of antifreeze to protect just the pump head. I don't like to put much antifreeze in, 'cause momma swears 6 months later she can still taste it if I do...and I think she may be right.

For anti freeze just for the pump, use a little gin. It imparts a pleasant taste to the water system.

Hey bill h, you mentioned the drain valves in your pump compartment.......did you find the ones under the sink? I assume these are for the water heater. (Note here for the anal retentive {I won't mention any names, Dale}, that I did not use the term "hot" water heater). :-)

ron, I did notice that. You is sooooo smart. Maybe we should ask Bill h. IS IT CALLED COLD WATER BECAUSE THE HOT HAS BEEN SUCKED OUT, OR IS IT HOT WATER BECAUSE THE COLD HAS BEEN SUCKED OUT? Dale

"did you find the ones under the sink?"
............................................

My wife finds the drain valves under the sink about twice per trip. They need guards over them or something.

Once the water system is drained, by-passed, blowed� out, and RV-antifreezed, what happens in the 'water-heater' from the motor-aid heating system? No shutoff on it that I can find, will all that warmth from the engine running cause a problem to an empty tank?

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89 Barth Regal 32
Runs like a Deere
New Hampshire

Gee Jack,
i've been wondering the same thing! however this is our third winter and no problems so far. well there was the problem we had before i found the infamous drains under the floor pan in the bathroom vanity.
mike

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mike foster
83-35' regency 8.2 detroit towing 98 cherokee classic 4x4

OK, What drains are they, the only ones I've found are in the rear pump area under the curb side twin bed, with the fresh water storage tank.

"before i found the infamous drains under the floor pan in the bathroom vanity"

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89 Barth Regal 32
Runs like a Deere
New Hampshire

Jack, i'm sure not all barths are the same but under the wood floor panel of my bathroom vanity are two shutoff (drain) valves. 1 is hot 1 cold. drain tubes go straight down and out. come out near the inside of the frame. almost impossible to see unless you know where they are. howd i know? mine froze up one winter and it took me weeks to find these little suckers. even took the bedroom floor up to find the leak. finally found that it never leaked into the coach, just outside on the ground and down the frame. drip-drip-drip. close already but it almost drove me nutsier. hope this is explained in an understandable way, if not holler!
mike

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mike foster
83-35' regency 8.2 detroit towing 98 cherokee classic 4x4

About that "running pink" with RV antifreeze.
The first year, we couldn't figure out why the new-to-us Barth was taking so much pink stuff. Pumped and pumped and not getting anything pink out of kitchen faucet? DUH! We have a water filter! It takes the pink color out of the antifreeze. We wasted a LOT of antifreeze. Just another thing to remember when the wind is howling, and snow flakes falling.

Bill H.,
Thanks you four da tip 'bout the gin. I tryed, unt it tasts mooch more betta den da pink stuf I was oosin. I iz now winterized alla my naybors coachs too, unt I feels soooo happy and gud all ova.

LOL, Hank, at least you have an excuse for mispelling.

But I was quite serious about the gin. the amount used to clear the pump is small, and gin seems to make the water a little more better tasting then vodka. The first time I did it, I added some food coloring to know when the gin was completely through the pump. It takes only a few ounces.

Folks who live WAAAAY up North should use Everclear, as it has a higher alcohol content. A drop of juniper oil should give it that fresh taste.

Thought I would share with all the members, my wife, Donna's idea on how you winterize your Barth.

She said it is real simple. You fill up the fuel tank and drive far enough south to where it doesn't freeze. Sounds like a plan to me.

Nick

quote:

Originally attributed to Donna Cagle:
"You fill up the fuel tank and drive far enough south to where it doesn't freeze."

Sounds like one smart woman Nick

BTW Nick, did you realize that you responded to a post that was 4 years and 4 hours old?