Cold weather 'drain down' advice

[ChrisinSwansea]

Hello,

I have a 2009 Bailey Pageant (Bretagne). We use it most weekends and plan to use it through the winter too.

It's our first van and our first season. As the colder weather is coming in, I want to make sure it is drained down correctly when we are not using it.

Is it just a case of draining the hot water tank (and leaving the drain valve open), and opening the kitchen and bathroom taps (and making sure they are centred).

Is there anything else I should be doing? How do I ensure the tap pipes are empty? Will opening the taps suffice?

Many thanks,

Chris

 

[GrahamPonty]

Hi Chris,

You should also have a look under your caravan for the cold water drain off plug, somewhere near the water inlet or under the sink area on the underside of the van.

Hope this helps

Graham (Ponty)

 

[BecknRob]

Hi Chris,

I also dis-connect the shower pipes in the bathroom as well, drown down the toilet flush tank as well.

Thanks

Rob.

 

[Iestyn_374225637]

If it's likely to freeze it might be sensible to take off the water filter. I'd never done that but mine froze last year and caused quite a mess when I filled the system afterwards.( In my Senator it's behind the heater)

 

[Guest]

Wet N Dry Vacuum sucks any water from the tubes. Use an old end cap of water filter with the filter part removed , and use some olive oil on the thread.

Where we live we don't have problems with water freezing as our caravans are garaged under the house. When we lay the vans up for a few weeks we clean all the pipes with cleaner and wash through with boiling water.

Vac pulls through any loose muck and leaves pipes dry.

 

[ProfJohnL]

It is definitely worth draining down between trips if the weather is likely to turn cold.

It only takes one cold night to freeze the water in pipes and fittings. The expansion of ice as it freezes is a very powerful force and can damage a multitude of part in a caravan water system.

Tanks of water may take longer to freeze, but the connecting pipes will go solid much quicker.

 

[ChrisinSwansea]

Thanks for your help with this - does anyone know where the cold water drain plug is on a 2009 Pageant!?

 

[Paul_5064559]

Chris, Whatever you do you will not get rid of every drop of water in a caravan water system. Make sure that the water heater is drained down, taps are open and dont forget the toilet! you should be then ok. It is only when water freezes and expands in a closed area that damage occurs. All pipes are soft plastic anyway. An earlier post sounds useful in respect of the water filter. Just ask yourself how dealers go on in winter time with vans arriving and leaving constantly.

 

[TimM]

Saw the earlier comment about the water filter. Ours burst too last winter. We found out when I descaled the water heater at the beginning of this season. Water /vinegar solution right through the caravan. What a mess! Never removed the filter before and its never been a problem before, but will definitely take it off this winter.

 

[Hamer_5041128]

Chris,

If you keep your caravan at home then you could do as we do.

We leave the electric lead permanantly connected and leave a 500 watt Dimplex heater on in the centre of the caravan, with the thermostat set low. The water pipes run along the offside so we leave the cupboard doors slightly open on that side. I have also fully insulated the fresh water pipes inside the caravan and the waste pipes under the caravan, as we caravan in all temperatures throughout the winter. I use the grey tubular insulation from B and Q.

Our 2007 Swift Conqueror is the first caravan we have owned to have the pipes already insulated were they pass over the wheel arches.Swift have used the same grey tubular insulation.

We also line under the bunks and fixed beds( twin beds) with the camping mating which tenters lie on. I place the mating under any pipes and then secure the pipes back down on top of the mating.This greatly improves the insulation and helps to keep the caravan nice and warm irrespective of the outside temperature. Even if you cannot leave any heating on the insulation will make a big diference.I have insulated my last 4 caravans in this way and never had problems with frozen pipes.

Hamer

 

[BillyBob2]

Hi Chris,

As part of your drain down, check to see if you have a surge damper installed on your incoming water pipe (inside the van, immediately after the inlet). This needs to be removed for the winter, as any water remaining inside will split the cartridge on freezing, with disasterous consequences when you use the van for the first time after winter(speaking from experience!)

Cheers

BillyBob

 

[Dexter1]

Chris, if your 'van has an onboard water pump then there are further draining down requirements for this. Your manual will explain but the puimp should be run dry for about 10 minutes to ensure all the water is purged from the pipes, then the pump connections need to be disconnected (quick release clips are fitted, so this is easy) and the pump run again to ensure the pump has no water left sitting in it. Bit of a palaver tbh but only takes about 20 minutes to do it all.

Also ensure the shower head is empty too.

Gordon

 

[BurtonRob]

The draindown switch on our 2004 Pageant is under the fixed bed close to the water tank. It is not a tap but a yellow plastic 'switch' that you lift to the upright position. I usally drain this prior to coming home from a trip. I also leave the taps open to ensure the maximum amount of water is cleared. It is worth removing the water filter because the filter material holds water in which then causes damage on freezing. (I learned to my cost last winter)

best wishes for a damage free winter

Rob

 

[john_5040743]

Hi Chris

I open all drain plugs and let this drain then i close all the taps and open the shower tap and blow down the shower this gets all the last drop of the water out of the pipes Then i leave all taps open for the winter.

John Worcester

 

[Northwood]

Chris

Take five and read through your hand book.

In my pageant Limousin the drain off is right next to the heater unit under the side lounge seat,ask the wife to go outside, she will soon call out the van is leaking.

Doun't forget to put on your winter shields over the fridge vents

that tip cost me a lot of money.

Leave all taps open, drain loo and flush.

Ten minutes to fill up the system on arrival, could save you a hell of a lot of money in the long run.

 

[DerekBrad]

Bob, You mention fridge vent covers. I've never used them, but wonder if it's just a matter of blocking the cold air from entering? (I'm talking about laying up for the winter)What could be the result of not covering said vents?

Happy caravanning!

 

[ChrisinSwansea]

Can I say thank you for all your help and advice. It is very much appreciated.

Chris