How to Winterize our Forest River Flagstaff A-Frame Camper

[@SoccerintheSouthWolverhampton]

I like how the toilet is a flush model and not just a portapotty. I am really impressed with how many comfort features these have and still keeping it so easy to store and tow. I look forward to your de-winterizing video in the spring.

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

We will try to remember to make that video. Thank you for watching!

[@JewishJuice]

Great video. +engagement

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Thanks

[@ATJHTRAVELS]

Ty for sharing this was very informative ty for sharing sledgehammered that like button shared this out and a enjoyed watch yinz are awesome

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Thanks, friends! I appreciate you!

[@tome-n8q]

Thanks for the help

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Happy you found it useful!

[@hoopnicsbasketball2495]

Thanks. A straight forward and easy to follow explanation

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Happy it was helpful!

[@unowhotravelchannel]

Awesome work guys and great preparation! Thanks for sharing 😎👍

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Thank you so much!

[@CarinSomers]

Very informative for rv campers , hope you have a great day,

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Thank you, Carin! I hope you have a great day!

[@JUSTINANDCHRISTINA]

Our first time winterizing !! So not making a video this year... maybe next year.. Great how to video ;-)

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Ours too! Learning so much this year! Thanksfor everything, you guys!

[@MartysCrewOurFamilyAdventures]

Seems like a pretty simple procedure. Nice! Great tutorial, guys! I’m still not ready to give up my tent but maybe someday, lol! Then I’ll know where to look if we get an Alf of our own.😉👍

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Thanks for you support, Tony!

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

They make a valve kit you can get at an RV store so you can leave your anti-freeze intake hose on all the time and you just move the valve vs unhooking the coupling. That antifreeze really makes your water stink and taste horrible. It takes a while to get it flushed out. Even after you flush it out, it's still there. Especially on the hot. I quit using it and use compressed air on my water intake hookup and blow all the water out. There's a pvc hose fitting to an air nossle adapter you can get and use an air chuck that has the clip on so it stays on by itself. You'll know what I'm talking about in the spring. It's pretty funky lol

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Thanks for the tips. We are new at this and were just trying to follow instructions. I guess the "de-winterizing" video will be pretty funny... Thanks, Darren.

[@dorean_1]

Been camping for years in campers that have been winterized every year. Never had a problem with a smell or taste from the antifreeze. But I usually open all the valves and hook up to city water and flush the lines for about 10 minutes. At that point the system is clean and safe to drink water from. Hope you are enjoying your pop up. We picked up our Rockwood A214HW in July and have used it more that the 25' Keystone we have had for 8 years. We have had to replace the roof actuator already, we got one of the "bad batch" lifts so a new one is on its way to us. My only complaint so far about the unit. We love it!

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Thanks for your input. This is year two with “Alf”. We just Winterized it again for this year, but will probably do some Winter camping this year in it. Our actuator went bad this year and we took it off too. So much faster set up and take down.

[@ShugTexas]

Well you made it look easy enough :) thanks

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Good. You’re welcome! Thank you for the comment!

[@tome-n8q]

Thank you. That was great

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Happy this was helpful! Thanks for stopping by

[@Chinstrap-99]

Thanks for the help!

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Happy it was helpful!

[@Free.spirited.traveler]

Great video the only part that confuses me is the pump part adding the antifreeze.

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

There is a valve to switch to pumping out of the bottle and into the lines. Then you just run the pump and the faucet until the water runs pink. I know you can do it.

[@DesmondsDonders]

What is this winterisation you talk about? 😉 We use Desmond all year so winterisation for us means putting on the fridge vents and leaving the hot water on when we are hooked up at home. Seriously though. When we had a trailer all we did in the winter with the water was to open all the drains and taps (with the pump off) This allowed all the water to drain out. If there was any residual water it had room to expand if it froze without doing damage. Never heard of anyone putting antifreeze in the system in the UK. Watch someone come along to correct me LOL. We regularly get -15C in winter and occasionally -25C so far with no problems in 35 yrs. Great video and hope Alf gets through the winter with no problems.

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

As new RV owners we are very nervous about getting things right. We kept hearing about this process and how IMPORTANT it is. Ha! Thanks, Dave for sharing your experience. Interesting to know what else works for others.

[@DesmondsDonders]

@@HappyTrailsHiking I suspect it is a culture "thing" how you drain down for local winter, our method may not have worked in parts of USA. We could not get through the winter without the thought of Donders LOL.

[@JBlanc81652]

You don't have to disconnect the water pump. There is a second valve near the valve that empty's your water tank, only its on the supply line. Turning it opens it, and closes the line to the tank. Hook up a tube to it, put the other end into your bottle of antifreeze, and turn on your pump. It will suck the antifreeze out of the bottle and you can then do the rest of your procedure...

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Thank you for that, Joe!! Always learning new things!! This is our first year. Great info!

[@chrismcgrady2253]

Two questions: Where is the water pump and filter located? I expected it under the bed (neatest the sink) but all I saw was the air conditioner lines). Two: what type of hose and connector did you use to run to the pump for the antifreeze? Can I pick it up at the hardware store. We have an A122 I need to get winterized. Thanks for the great video!

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

The water pump on our Forest River is right where you looked for yours. Hmmmmmm... And to be honest we bought the hose recommended at the RV dealer where we bought the antifreeze.

[@samorthmann2511]

Good info, but hard to see what you’re doing by the pump. Did you connect a hose from the antifreeze to the pump? How??

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

We have a hose that has a threaded fitting on one end. We hook it up to the pump. Small space. I guess I didn't get the camera in there.

[@HumorAndHistory]

I want an Alf. I get putting antifreeze in in the line, but it must take forever to flush it out next year right?

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

I guess we will find out. Not much plumbing here, so we hope not. We can also empty the filter case to help with that.

[@schloo]

Seconds.

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

You are correct. It took no time.

[@SkinnyGPanda]

Very interesting, I never knew you had to do so much to winterize these. Looks seamlessly easy though. Will you be covering it up as well for the winter?

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

It lives in our garage, so we don’t need a cover.

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Our Garage is not heated and it does get down below freezing in there.

[@taylorschwartz978]

St. Louis native here! Have you done any camping below freezing? I am looking for a camper that is lightweight (around 4,000 gvrw) and will be warm enough for the winter (I have one semester of college left and am looking into alternative housing options and post graduation travel). How is the heater? Is the camper very insulated? Does much cold air leak in?

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Hi, Taylor. I figure that you have figured out that we are in the St Louis area. First of all, I want to say that I don't think that this is the style of camper you are looking for. However, I will answer all your questions. This is our first season in the A-Frame and we haven't camped in freezing temperatures much (in this camper), if at all. With this style of camper being a pop-up, there are gaps between the walls. We haven't had any water get in and we have seen some big, Midwest rainstorms in this last year. But I wouldn't consider this to be an air tight option. The heater works very well. We have used both the heat pump (when we had an electric site) and the furnace (when we didn't have electric). This camper is not insulated. Other things that you might want to consider: The bathroom situation: This A-frame has a toilet, but I would not say it is "self-contained". It is a cassette toilet with a 5 gallon tank. You would need to have somewhere to dump waste fairly often. It is also not a private toilet. Space: it is a premium. The bed takes over half of the floor space and the table and benches 2/3 of what's left. Thanks again for your questions. I hope my answers helped a bit. The St Louis RV show is next month. Might be a good place to do some more research. Best of luck in your studies and your next steps. Kay

[@taylorschwartz978]

@@HappyTrailsHiking Thank you!!! I will look into more options!

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

I have been reading about all of the Rpod owners winterizing right now... we have 3 trips planned in the next couple of months. Not something we have to do. Southern California is good for a few things! 😂

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

I’m a bit jealous right now. 😄 We MIGHT have one more trip in and “Indian Summer” but snow is on the way. Thanks, Heather! Can’t wait to see your campgrounds you go to!

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

It is supposed to be 90 degrees here tomorrow 😳 keep your fingers crossed for NO fires...

[@Lifeonthetrail]

Greg winterizing tutorial!

[@Lifeonthetrail]

Great...

[@HappyTrailsHiking]

Thanks, Gary!