First time winterizing... Have questions

Dame_plume

Last RV dealer who winterized my T@b cost me a great deal of money last Spring. Broken pipes and faucet and a mess of antifreeze everywhere.  I think it is time I learn to do it myself.

After reading different opinions and options, I decided to blow the lines and then, do the antifreeze to be as covered as possible.  My first question is regarding the Alde water heater.  I went too fast and did not drain in the right order, so the system was not pressurized and was mostly empty when I did the yellow pressure relief lever on the Alde and no water was released from it.  I had previously emptied the fresh water tank and open both cold and hot drains first.   So, I am wondering if there could be any water left in the heater or if it emptied  completely when I opened the hot water drain. My house is on lake water, not drinkable, so refilling and repressurizing would be complicated.

My second question is related to the position where the valves should be when I blow the lines.  It is probably obvious to you, guys, but not for the newbie, here. Winter or camping ?  Should the cold and hot drain valves be opened or closed.  And should the faucets be opened or closed ?  

My last question is addressed to those who change the wheels for smaller ones when they winterize in their garage.  How small and what brand did you get ?  My T@b did fit under my carport but not anymore by just a bit after I added a cover to the fan.

Please help. Temperature is already freezing overnight here in Ontario and I want "My Precious" to be ready for the cold.  

Sharon_is_SAM

I see you have a 2020 320 S. 

The cold low point drain does help to drain the Alde, so you probably have drained it.  Assuming you have already bypassed the Alde, just leave the yellow flapper open.  In case any water is left in the Alde tank, the open drain may help water to exit.  Or, if you are not going to use the TaB during the winter, since you are planning to use antifreeze in your lines, you can not bypass the Alde.  Antifreeze in the Alde is ok if it is not heated.

When you blow out the Pre-Nautilus TaB, by keeping the the hot and cold low point drains closed, the air forces the water through each faucet/shower/toilet that you open/flush.  So, after you drain everything via gravity, close the drains.  I know the Owners Manual says to leave the valves and drains open during the blow out, but, it is more systematic to keep them closed and blow out one at a time.  After all the taps are clear of water, close them and you can them open the low point drains and blow them out.

Here is a link to how to Winterize.  (See Winterizing 102).  After the blow out, then you need to close your valves, add antifreeze to the fresh tank and use the pump to fill the lines.
https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/6372/winterizing-manuals#latest