Drainage before subzero

[Alex_Makarov]

Hi All,

We are full-time travellers currently staying in South Bucks. With severe weather and temperatures dropping below 0°C, we’re considering a quick escape to Turkey!

However, we’ve never left our caravan unattended during subzero temperatures before. Could you please share advice on safely draining it before we go?

Thank you!

 

[Mr Plodd]

Youtube is your friend!

 

[Buckman]

Knowing the Met office once again it the forecast is wildly exaggerated? Yes there will probably be wind and rain and it will be cool, but probably not as bad as forecast.

 

[otherclive]

Open the taps and shower then open the caravan water drain valve. That will get most water out. Then close the taps, remove the shower head and blow down the tube, that should remove more residual water. Then reopen taps for period not being used.

I also used to try and pump the toilet flush fluid through to “ empty” the tank. Then put in half a litre of screen wash mixed for -10 degree C in the flush tank, and pump some through into the cassette.

 

[Buckman]

Lovely sunny day here in Worcester with hardly any wind. Seems the big storm was a bit of a non event, but maybe it is happening in a couple of weeks time?

 

[otherclive]

One job today is to drain out the car”s screen wash tank and refill with winter grade screen wash, then pump it through the system. Can’t guarantee that the dealership used winter strength solution. Then go round the doors, boot and bonnet to treat the rubber seals with a dose of Gummi Pfleger seal care. Stops them sticking in freezing weather.


Seal care

 

[borderbilly]

One job today is to drain out the car”s screen wash tank and refill with winter grade screen wash, then pump it through the system. Can’t guarantee that the dealership used winter strength solution. Then go round the doors, boot and bonnet to treat the rubber seals with a dose of Gummi Pfleger seal care. Stops them sticking in freezing weather.


Seal care

Think he's talking about his caravan, not car. Specsavers.

 

[Buckman]

One job today is to drain out the car”s screen wash tank and refill with winter grade screen wash, then pump it through the system. Can’t guarantee that the dealership used winter strength solution. Then go round the doors, boot and bonnet to treat the rubber seals with a dose of Gummi Pfleger seal care. Stops them sticking in freezing weather.


Seal care

As recommended by someone on this forum we have been using Prestone screen wash in both our vehicles. Seems to be excellent stuff. Never heard of the Gummi Pfleger stuff?

 

[otherclive]

Think he's talking about his caravan, not car. Specsavers.

If you take the time to read #4 you will see that I’m fully aware that the OPs question is about his caravan, not an opticians. Wrt the continually referral to Specsavers do you have a financial interest in that company?

 

[otherclive]

As recommended by someone on this forum we have been using Prestone screen wash in both our vehicles. Seems to be excellent stuff. Never heard of the Gummi Pfleger stuff?

There’s other stuff like Autoglym rubber and plastic care. I used that on my caravan window and door seals, better than talc.

 

[Buckman]

There’s other stuff like Autoglym rubber and plastic care. I used that on my caravan window and door seals, better than talc.

I have seen 303 aerospace protectant recommended, but not heap for what you get, but then it is probably effective. It can also be used on the window and door rubber sin the caravan to keep someone happy.

 

[RogerL]

One job today is to drain out the car”s screen wash tank and refill with winter grade screen wash, then pump it through the system. Can’t guarantee that the dealership used winter strength solution. Then go round the doors, boot and bonnet to treat the rubber seals with a dose of Gummi Pfleger seal care. Stops them sticking in freezing weather.


Seal care

I find screen wash recommended dilutions too weak so use the winter concentration in summer and an almost neat in winter - use Gummi Pflege Stift all year round on rubber seals to keep them flexible - for car and caravan.

 

[borderbilly]

If you take the time to read #4 you will see that I’m fully aware that the OPs question is about his caravan, not an opticians. Wrt the continually referral to Specsavers do you have a financial interest in that company?

Yes, my brother owns the company 🥸

 

[Beardy]

I also used to try and pump the toilet flush fluid through to “ empty” the tank.

Mine has a rubber tube with a bung in the end in the compartment where the toilet cassette lives. The manual says to remove the bung to drain the flush water. I always get some out of the tube after running the flush pump until it stops pumping.

 

[otherclive]

Mine has a rubber tube with a bung in the end in the compartment where the toilet cassette lives. The manual says to remove the bung to drain the flush water. I always get some out of the tube after running the flush pump until it stops pumping.

Mine had a tube too, but I opted for caution so using screen wash was belt and braces.

 

[Beachball]

As recommended by someone on this forum we have been using Prestone screen wash in both our vehicles. Seems to be excellent stuff. Never heard of the Gummi Pfleger stuff?

+1 Also another not heard of this Gummi Pfleger what it like ?

 

[Dustydog]

+1 Also another not heard of this Gummi Pfleger what it like ?

Plus2 but now I know.
It’s a Rubber Care Pen. Not one I’ve used.
Is it used on wiper blades?

 

[otherclive]

+1 Also another not heard of this Gummi Pfleger what it like ?

Very good at preventing ice bonding doors and seals. It also conditions the seals. Autoglym Vinyl and Plastic spray does a similar job and can also be used to condition plastic trim.

 

[Dustydog]

Mine has a rubber tube with bung in the end in the compartment where the toilet cassette lives. The manual says to remove the bung to drain the flush water. I always get some out of the tube after running the flush pump until it stops pumping.

Did you know a modification was done some years ago?
Thetford in their wisdom realised the C250 wasn’t draining completely because of a problem with the drain tube position. A second tube is added with the modification kit ensuring complete drainage.
See This

 

[otherclive]

Plus2 but now I know.
It’s a Rubber Care Pen. Not one I’ve used.
Is it used on wiper blades?

I’ve never used it on wiper blades. But worth a try. Doesn’t the Touareg have wiper de-icer heater?

 

[Dustydog]

I’ve never used it on wiper blades. But worth a try. Doesn’t the Touareg have wiper de-icer heater?

I believe that is true. Now I’ve read up on it is a different system to the Sorento. Ice tomorrow so,I’ll study it

 

[otherclive]

I believe that is true. Now I’ve read up on it is a different system to the Sorento. Ice tomorrow so,I’ll study it

On my Sorento, Pajero and Foresters they all had deicing heaters low down in the windscreen aligned with the parked position of the wiper blades. Very effective too.

 

[Beardy]

Did you know a modification was done some years ago?
Thetford in their wisdom realised the C250 wasn’t draining completely because of a problem with the drain tube position. A second tube is added with the modification kit ensuring complete drainage.
See This

I have a C260 (2016 caravan) so hopefully I don't need the modification, but thanks for the tip.