Correct procedure for winterizing the van?

[VW_Johan]

Hopefully still a few weeks until we start to get sub-zero temperatures here, but wondering what thoughts you have on winterizing the van, particularly what comes to the water and grey water. Plan to empty the water tank and Truma boiler, as well as opening the two service valves in the utility cupboard. Open all taps (including rear shower) and let drain. And of course emptying the gray water tank. But what more should be done? Should I use low pressure copmpressed air to empty the water lines? Pour antifreeze into the sink to make sure the gray water lines dont freeze? Winter temperatures get down to to -30C where we live so fairly cold. The van will be stored ourdoors under a roof.

 

[sidepod]

Does it make any difference? Last winter we froze the on-board water. A couple of hours with the heater on and it came back to life.
Overthinking?

 

[sidepod]

…….you could pop the washing up liquid somewhere warm, we froze that also!

 

[Razor Crest]

If you join the FB page you will find a helpful document in the files section. I thought I had done enough last year, but my bathroom tap was still damaged by frost.

 

[Mr T]

If you join the FB page you will find a helpful document in the files section. I thought I had done enough last year, but my bathroom tap was still damaged by frost.

“VW Grand California UK” Facebook group does indeed have a really good document

 

[willwander]

-30C fairly cold?
What do you consider really cold? ha.

 

[WelshGas]

Does it make any difference? Last winter we froze the on-board water. A couple of hours with the heater on and it came back to life.
Overthinking?

For the California with just a water tank , waste tank and tap, if not drained then the tap can have the spout pushed off by expanding ice and damage to the shower connection if you have that.
The Grand California is a little bit more complicated with its bathroom, kitchen and hot water system. Plenty reports of damage that can be caused in sub-zero conditions.

 

[G-A-R-Y]

If you look back at my posts I devised a way to clear all the water via the external shower point (with air), this also drains the top of the bathroom tap.

 

[VW_Johan]

Does it make any difference? Last winter we froze the on-board water. A couple of hours with the heater on and it came back to life.
Overthinking?

I would think it most certainly makes a difference, quite common to have leaks after winter if water is left in the pipes/fittings over winter.

 

[VW_Johan]

If you look back at my posts I devised a way to clear all the water via the external shower point (with air), this also drains the top of the bathroom tap.

Tried to look for old posts on this but couldn't find what it. Would you mind sharing a link to your previous post on this? The extrnal shower is one of the concerns.

 

[VW_Johan]

“VW Grand California UK” Facebook group does indeed have a really good document

thanks, was not aware of that group. Will check it out.

 

[G-A-R-Y]

Tried to look for old posts on this but couldn't find what it. Would you mind sharing a link to your previous post on this? The extrnal shower is one of the concerns.

I basically inserted a shower fitting into the external connector. and used an airline to blow the water from each and every tap and system.
You could use a bike pump or blow. The bathroom tap is the main one to drain because water remains in the loop at the top. This is what damages everyone's taps. Don't forget to loosen the taps under the flap in the technical cupboard.

 

[markab]

can anyone share the doc from facebook with steps for winter protecting the van, I am not on FB so can't get it.

 

[GordonH]

Here you go …

 

[markab]

Thanks

 

[lohr500]

If you have a porta potty in the van, don't forget to remove it or completely drain both tanks and the pump mechanism!!!

I always drain the fresh and waste tanks in the Cali after every trip away but forgot all about the porta potty in the sink cupboard last winter. The top tank froze solid, but fortunately no damage was done. It now stays in the house over winter, unless we are away in the van.