Winterizing Diverter Valve

[Bill n Diana]

Hello Friends...

The DW and I had a conversation earlier this week that got me to thinking about winterizing... Not too early I am sure...

My question revolves around the winterizing valve which is in place in our 38FL. Currently our diverter valve is in "NO-MANS-LAND" on the floor in the water filter cabinet/closet (???) area of the basement... It came set to the winterizing position which allows us to suck antifreeze outa jugs which is quite useful. HOWEVER, this valve position does not allow fresh water to be pumped out of the fresh water tank without switching the valve position which I have not figured out...

My question is whether any here have installed a valve similar to our water heater bypass valve (located in the convenience center) to avoid having to take down panels to access this area of the camper.

I have attached a picture of the valve I am referring to but as I stated it is very much like our water heater bypass valves.

Your thoughts as always are greatly appreciated.

Happy Travels,

BnD

[Bill n Diana]

Anyone??? Appreciate your thoughts.

B n D

[r time soon]

Bill. In our 36RL we have a small 1/4 turn valve on the water line on the floor right before our water pump. Reach in while winterizing to switch from drawing from fresh tank to draw from the antifreeze hose in the docking/convience center. It works for me. Not sure what model you have or how hard it is to access yours. Mine is already easy enough since I remove the water filter during winterizing anyway.

Chris

[Shane Wood]

Living in socal I just turn the heat up to winterize

[travelin' texans]

Be sure the cap on the anti freeze line is sealed tightly if it will suck air & not water from your tank. We are full timers so I've never had to winterize.

[spindrift]

Hey Bill. ..very sorry that I can't offer any advice. You're correct, this is something that ob iously got by the designers as this feature is one of the more inconvenient procedures one needs to complete for winterizing. For what it's worth, the modification is on my bucket list. As of yet, I haven't come up with an alternative. I think if I were to tackle it however, I'd extend the hoses and relocate the valve to the convenience center. My lazy man's alternative is to replace the wall with something far easier to remove, such as a wired shelving material that I could easily clip into place. Regardless, this option wouldn't get around the task of me having to completely empty my basement, which in the FL model is a real chore. Good luck and let us know if you come up with a better idea.

[travelin' texans]

I took all the screws out of my basement wall, except the section with the Dirt Devil, & used industrial Velcro stapled to each section. Now once I clear all the scrap out of the way the wall is down in about 10 seconds.

[Bill n Diana]

Thanks for replies thus far... that two way valve however is too far from the water filter change door for me to reach in with just my arm. I was thinking making a water valve turn off type handle could work but then realized I couldn't get my head there also to find it...
The designers and engineers surely missed this one... and you are also right about needing to empty the basement to gain enough room to manuever... although it is on my bucket list too I am seriously considering asking my dealer to relocate a valve to convenience center wall next to water heater bypass valve.
Thanks for any other thoughts you might have on this matter.

Happy travels,

B n D

[atom ant]

Bill,
Ironically, the early Redwoods had that valve in the control panel, below the hot water bypass as shown in this video:

2012 redwood - Bing Videos

(note the wireless TPMS they also used to have at the top of the control panel - too bad they dropped that too)

Go for it. It's actually a great idea. I forget that stupid valve down inside all the time and spend a few panic moments trying to figure out why my pump won't pump water in the spring. If I figure I have the room, I may install one of those myself.

[travelin' texans]

My good friend Roland got the TPMS on his '12, but when he upgraded to G tires didn't reinstall in the wheels, bit hard to monitor rolling down the highway.

[atom ant]

Danny,
are you saying it didn't work very well from the get-go? I just assumed it was wireless to the cab of the truck

[travelin' texans]

Monitor installed in the convenience center, no info to the cab. I guess you could monitor it at every stop, just open the door.

[atom ant]

Oh man, no wonder they dropped it. Not very effective.