Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 12, 2025 ...

Winterizing U295

December 29, 2021, 06:11:26 pm

Yes, the winterizing subject again. I've searched through all the posts and can't find what I'm looking for. What I want to do is bypass the water heater and the water tank and be able to pipe antifreeze through the system. So far, draining the system has worked for me, except for the toilet valve. Broke another one and made a big mess when I added water back in. It looks like I can unscrew the bottom from the toilet valve and drain the water from it also, so I should be good. Just always nervous about getting all the water out of the pump and all the pipes. The RV's I've had before have always had a winter bypass. Why didn't they put them on these rigs, I don't understand.

I've tried to find a diagram for the water system, but my book does not have one. So, here are a couple pictures of what my system looks like. Has anyone done a water heater and water tank bypass that they can share?

Thanks
Kevin

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Re: Winterizing U295

Reply #1 – December 29, 2021, 08:57:37 pm

I didn't even know about water bypass system until this summer. A friend asked
me to look at hiss hot water tank as he couldn't get it to work. When I got so I
could see the back of the tank I saw the bypass system and turned the valves filled
the tank and reset the something on the tank and he had hot water. I thought the
bypass system was a great idea.

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Re: Winterizing U295

Reply #2 – December 29, 2021, 09:52:41 pm

I don't think FOT put in any bypass systems.

You can trace the lines that come out of the top of the manifold. If they go to the hot water tank and back, you can detach them from the top of the manifold and install a jumper to bypass the tank.  Then pump antifreeze through the system.

Be very, very careful.  The threads on the manifold are very delicate. Hand thread only or risk damage!

I would remove the cap from the unused hot valve. If it gets turned on accidentally, water will get between the valve and the cap, freeze and crack the manifold. Same for the washer lines if you don't have one.

Rich

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Re: Winterizing U295

Reply #3 – December 29, 2021, 10:50:35 pm

Kevin shared a picture of his water pump bay, which got me to thinkin':
 
I have heard many complaints about noisy water pumps, especially from my copilot seat. We had a new WP installed; it may have been a little quieter, but not by much.
 
I do not recall anyone doing a remodel that included soundproofing the water pump bay. I have some of the good stuff leftover from replacing the insulation in the generator 'Quiet Box.'
 
Has anyone else done that, and did you AND your DW like the sound reduction?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
 
P.S. Kevin, I notice your FOT build number is exactly ten digits more than mine. They are both FT 2000 U295s @ 40', and probably quite similar looking.

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Re: Winterizing U295

Reply #4 – December 30, 2021, 09:16:27 am

I like being able to hear my water pump, it could be
your first indication of a leak somewhere in the system.

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Re: Winterizing U295

Reply #5 – December 30, 2021, 10:37:05 am

We were camped in a county RV park and never heard our pump running, as it is under the couch and had "stuff" piled over it.
I went up front and turned on the monitor to check tank levels and voltage readings. Couldn't believe we had gone down by more than half on our fresh water tank.
I went outside and walked around the coach and saw that water was running out back where the water fill connection is.
Turns out the "new" back-flow preventor  I installed the previous year had failed. We now have a shutoff valve where the supply hose hooks up to the coach. No more surprise leaks!
I don't think the pump was ever running, because the water was coming out of the fresh water tank.

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Re: Winterizing U295

Reply #6 – December 30, 2021, 11:14:40 am

I with Wayne I like to hear my pump, but mine is very quiet so it's not easy to hear.

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Re: Winterizing U295

Reply #7 – December 30, 2021, 11:23:05 am

Not worth the cost and effort in my humble opinion

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