Toilet flush - does it contain antifreeze?

[Glenn_5132962]

Is is necessary to drain the flush for winter or does it contain antifreeze to prevent it freezing? We're going to be touring over winter & it would be both wasteful & time consuming to fill & drain the flush each time.

 

[Icemaker]

In short no the flush fluid does not have any capability of preventing the flush from freezing up, in winter the warmth from the van keeps the flush from freezing but if the van is not in use it will freeze with the obvious damage. I was adviced to empty my flush tank everytime the van was out of use and was also adviced it was unwise to tow with the tank full due to the weight of water, personally i empty every tank when leaving site, toilet and hot water tank it only takes two minuites and saves a lot of weight and potential problems.

 

[RobRoy]

Hi Glenn,

I would think it would have to be an extremely lightweight van for there to be any discernible effect caused by there being water in the flush tank or water heater.

Personally I have never drained either when on the move - at my age I need a Jimmy Riddle every two hours or so and my agility is not up to jumping a hedge!

Keep your flush tank at least partially full and don't empty the heater tank.

Rob S.

 

[RobRoy]

Hi again Glenn,

Obviously if you are laying up your caravan for the winter or not likely to use it during frosty weather then ALL the water containers - hot water tank, toilet flush AND TOILET HOLDING TANK ought to be drained.

Rob S.

 

[Icemaker]

The way it was put to me was that the water heater holds 10 litres and the flush tanke holds 10 litres, water weighs aprox 1.1 kgs per litre so with 20 litres you are carrying 22 kgs of liquid around that you don't really need couple this with the slushing effect of a moving vehicle and you could encounter instability problems. its only a minor thing but 22 kgs off your payload is a lot if you only the have the average 200 kgs to play with.