Winterizing the Black Water Flush System

I know this is a odd time to discuss winterizing, but after reading another flush system thread, it just crossed my mind. I carefully winterized our trailer this year, but still had one issue. I did not discover the issue until it was too late. I was flushing the tank (with the gate open) and after a couple minutes had water pouring out the underbelly. It turns out the the air-gap/vacuum-breaker that is mounted behind the shower had broken. The only way I can think that it could have broken is to freeze, but how did it happen if I had winterized, I thought to myself. Then I realized that line has a check-valve on the downhill side, so water is trapped between the check-valve and the air-gap. How how do you winterize this line, as it is not part of the fresh-water system that is serviced by the pump?

Best bet is to get a fitting so you can blow the water out of the line. I am with you, I never ever thought about having to winterized the flush line! Lesson learned!

I think you are talking about the black tank flusher that you hook your hose to while dumping the black tank. That line is isolated from everything else and I always blow it out with air (about 30 - 40 psi). I don't know of any other way. Sorry to hear about your trouble, I guess I was just lucky in recognizing the threat when I first got the trailer. At that I just about missed it. I think that Heartland and the dealer missed the boat in not making it more plain that something like that has to be done.

Yeah, if it is in there book I missed it. It should be added and highlighted. Its an easy miss!

Glad I popped onto this thread. I'll add that to my "To Do" list. Might not be a concern, but making sure the drain valve is open might insure the tank doesn't blow up like a balloon.

I asked this questions a few months back, and the reason why I asked it is because, I just turned in a Montana Big Sky to get this Big Horn, had the Montana for 7 years and always winterized it myself with antifreeze. When I first purchased the Montana the dealer told me I did not have to winterize the black tank flush line. I never once had a problem with the line freezing. It can get pretty cold hear in south east Michigan in the winters. So I wonder why we are supposed to winterize(blow it out with air) this line on the Big Horn ?? I guess I'm a little confused and could you some clarification on this subject.

Bobby A said:

I asked this questions a few months back, and the reason why I asked it is because, I just turned in a Montana Big Sky to get this Big Horn, had the Montana for 7 years and always winterized it myself with antifreeze. When I first purchased the Montana the dealer told me I did not have to winterize the black tank flush line. I never once had a problem with the line freezing. It can get pretty cold hear in south east Michigan in the winters. So I wonder why we are supposed to winterize(blow it out with air) this line on the Big Horn ?? I guess I'm a little confused and could you some clarification on this subject.

Click to expand...

I was posting as more of a warning to others out there. I had not seen anything about winterizing that system in the literature. It was a easy $1.85 to buy a new air-gap, but it took half a day to find a store that had one in stock.

2010augusta said:

I was posting as more of a warning to others out there. I had not seen anything about winterizing that system in the literature. It was a easy $1.85 to buy a new air-gap, but it took half a day to find a store that had one in stock.

Click to expand...

I think we all appreciate the heads up, and you guys are right, there should be a little more talk from Heartland or the dealerships on what to do with this line in regards to winterizing. BTW, where did you find the air fitting ?? I think I may have seen it at camping world, not sure though.

This is what a friend helped me build to blow out our water lines...



Got the parts from Lowes and it is stronger than any other place I found one.

BC

Bob: I really like that, it is much better then the plastic tire valve stem type the camping stores and wal-mart sell. I will have to build one for myself for use with mine on board air system. Thanks for the idea.

If anyone has a home sprinkler system and blows it out themselves, they probably have one of these already made, and even have a valve installed.

Never thought about using it for the new 5'er, but it's good to know it's no longer a single use invention.