Feedback request: Notes on antifreeze, 2021 TAB 400 BD

geoB

I made some notes on adding antifreeze after my latest winterizing session and would greatly appreciate comments. Please send along your additions, deletions and corrections. The notes are in a PDF - MS Word outlines are not  compatible here.

Thanks.

marleecamps

I just winterized my 2021 400 Boondock this afternoon.  Overall, your notes look good.  A few comments.

When you say "Nautilus pump", are you referring to the water pump button in the Nautilus compartment?  On my Tab 400, this is a second water pump switch that can be used to turn the pump on or off if used outside.  Same functionality as the interior water pump switch - no difference between them.

After I finish pumping antifreeze into all the faucets (hot and cold), I also briefly open and shut the low point drains in the Nautilus compartment (you might be covering this under "all outside valves" but I find I might overlook it if I don't call it out specifically), as well as the gray and black tank valves -- with outtake cover still in place.  This allows antifreeze to coat the valves themselves.  Finally, I pour a generous amount of antifreeze into each of the drains - kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower drain and toilet, leaving a cup or so in the toilet itself.  Two gallons is sufficient for the entire process.  I also leave the interior faucets slightly open to relieve any pressure that might build up.

I love checklists - makes the process repeatable and reliable.

geoB

@Marlee
Some great comments. 

• You're right about "Nautilus pump" switch. I only used that when priming the siphon hose, but the pump will survive either way.
• I hadn't thought about briefly opening valves after adding antifreeze. That makes some sense.
• What's the advantage of adding more antifreeze into drains after pumping through valves? 

marleecamps

Probably not much if you are running enough antifreeze through the faucets.  I always run each hot and cold until I see a steady stream of antifreeze.  Then when I'm finished with all faucets and flushing toilet, I pour the remainder into the drains and toilet bowl.

I use the external water pump on a regular basis - that outdoor shower is very handy in rinsing off muddy hiking boots - and dogs!

pthomas745

What is the "Red" valve mentioned in the comment with the Alde Yellow Valve?  The separate Alde Flow Yellow valve? Are you looking at the various colored valves on the Nautilus panel?  Are you sure you are looking at the proper low point drains?

I could be wrong, also, since some models of the Nautilus have the low point drains right there in the Nautilus panel.

And: you have skipped an entire step.  The thing that causes the most confusion about the Nautilus is the use of a compressor to "blow out" the Nautilus "harness", that profusion of valves and pipes directly behind the Nautilus with the valves set at the "45 degree" position.

See Page 11 of the Nautilus 3.0 manual, page 12 of the Nautilus 2.5 manual.

After you "blow out" the "harness", then the next step is to have the valves in the "Winterize" position for delivery to the faucets.

geoB

@pthomas745
Thanks for your comments. My reply here is without ready access to our trailer - it's in storage waiting for the weather to clear so we can finish tucking it away for winter.

On valve colors: It's likely I got the color wrong - digging under a bed and pulling a panel to get at valves is less than fun. But that's where I opened two valves. There are also two valves in the Nautilus panel.

I'm curious about how one goes about blowing out the harness. It appears to require tools and equipment not available to most. I tried once using a 12 VDC compressor and some kind of rigged connection that did not appear to do much of anything. In three winters I've not otherwise had any plumbing issues. 

One thing I wish existed is a single definitive and comprehensive document on winterizing one's trailer. Sure, there a postings in the winterizing forum that can be helpful. But procedures seem to vary by model and year and, as with Nautilus, by source. 

Sharon_is_SAM

@geoB Check this out.  https://nucamprv.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/44002380601-winterizing-tab-400

manyman297

One step I see omitted is making sure the hot water tank is completely empty. Maybe I’m mistaken but the step where you turn the nautilus handles to a 45 degree and blow out each faucet…is that doing a good job of emptying the hot water tank? I always seem to hear gurgling from each faucet when I do this and feel like I’m not getting all of the water out of the tank. 

Would simply blowing compressed air through the city connection and into the hot water lines while the nautilus is set to “city water” do a better job AND THEN set the valves to 45? I thought setting the valves to 45 just makes sure the nautilus itself is blown out.