Before we hit the open road for the first time, learning how to de-winterize & sanitize is top priority. We’re preparing our NuCamp 2021 Tab 400 for our first camping and glamping trip. So psyched! At first, the thought of all the things we needed to do was a bit mind boggling. Plus, words like winterizing, sanitizing are just not that exciting.
We’re learning and sharing with our blogs as we go to help make it easier for others too.
I’ll admit it, we were starting to feel a bit overwhelmed. Did we bite off more than we could chew? Is planning for a 6 week adventure too much for us as first timers?
Make no bones about it, there is a big learning curve if you’re a first time camper. Planning, prepping and inspecting take time. Learning how to de-winterize and sanitize our plumbing system is an important step of the process.
The good news is that once you go through these steps the first time, they get easier and faster. The steps we’re sharing on how to de-winterize & sanitize turn into a future reference checklist.
Preparing our NuCamp Tab 400 Boondock (Sheen’s Bean or aka the “the Bean”):
Sheen’s Bean includes a comfy queen size sleeping area for us and our dogs. Our compact kitchen, bathroom with a sink, shower and toilet, and a separate eating area, create a live and work space too. With big windows, power from battery, propane or electrical (a little battery help from solar), our glamping options rock.
When you buy your camper, it’s not a roll out of the parking lot and let’s go. First, we’re getting the Bean boondock and/or shore power ready for living.
How to De-Winterize & Sanitize
If you have a new camper or are bringing your camper out of winter storage, there’s a few must-do steps to get it ready to roll. Two important steps include: A) De-winterizing our 2021 Tab 400 with the Nautilus Water Management System – (the Nautilus system is pretty darn cool) and B) Sanitizing your system.
The above shows the Nautilus System panel. Every aspect is clearly marked. On the upper left, satellite and cable connections. The lower left, the City Water Connection (that you’ll use in the steps below). The upper center includes the lever diagrams for each action you take throughout the de-winterizing (and winterizing), sanitizing, filling and camping. The upper right is the pump switch and the pump switch round light is below. The red switch underneath is not active in this model.
The lower right black is for your sewer flush. The center bottom is your outdoor shower. The blue coiled hose is the shower head that will be snapped into the middle connector when you’re ready to use the outdoor shower.
De-Winterizing
Below lists the steps needed for de-winterizing your camper. If this is your first time, plan to spend several hours working through these steps. We start with checking the low point drains before flushing the RV antifreeze.
Low Point Drain Action Steps
- Check all low point drains . If closed, switch to open to drain the antifreeze. The RV antifreeze used should be the non-toxic version – always take care when working with any chemicals. (RecPro RV Antifreeze Non-toxic – 4 Pack at Amazon)
- Close your low point drains because we’ll be the flushing the system with water. We closed 2 outside drains located in the Nautilus panel area. Inside, we closed the Alde Pressure Relief Valve (connected to blue water pipe) and the 2nd valve (if you have Alde Flow) by flipping the valve(s). The valves are located under the drivers side of the queen bed.
How to De-Winterize & Sanitize? Starts with Flushing
- The Nautilus System panel diagrams the levers positions to perform each action. We first switched the levers to WINTERIZING (even though we are de-winterizing) using their panel instructions.
- Next, we connected our garden hose to the white inlet labeled “CITY WATER CONNECTION.” We attached the other end of the garden hose to the water source and turned the water on.
- We opened one plumbing fixture at a time and kept it open until the antifreeze flushed and the water ran clear. We started with the kitchen sink, then bathroom sink, then toilet followed by the outside shower. With the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower and outside shower flush both the hot and cold water one at a time.
- After flushing the fixtures, shift the diverter levers on the Nautilus panel to POWERFILL Tank position.
- If you’re not sure of your water pressure, use a water pressure regulator and attach to your hose. This will manage the PSI intake (the amount of water) through your connector. We use Measureman’s Lead-Free Brass Regulator 40-50 psi from Amazon.
- Fill the freshwater tank until it is about 1⁄2 full and then turn the water off.
- Turn diverter handles on Nautilus Panel to DRY CAMPING positions.
- Push the “PUMP” switch . The light will pop on.
- Using the outside shower on the Nautilus Panel open COLD faucet. Use the shower head to flush out any remaining winterizing solution.
Sanitizing:
After de-winterizing the system, sanitizing our fresh water tank and lines is on deck. We’re loving the trustworthy Nautilus system.
Sanitizing the Fresh Water Tank & Lines
- Flip the levers to SANITIZE following Nautilus’ guide.
- Use a sanitizing solution of Clorox and water. The mixture is 1/4 cup Clorox bleach per 15 gallons of water. Our Tab holds 22 gallons so we need roughly 3/8 of a cup Clorox.
- Pour 1/2 cup of Clorox into a gallon bucket and fill with water.
- Hook up a short hose (not your regular drinking water hose and not your sewer hose) to city intake.
- Turn on the PUMP (make sure you’re in siphon mode). Place the short hose into the bucket to suck the concentrated Clorox and water out.
- If your pump isn’t primed (not pulling in the mixture), lift the end of the hose that’s in the bucket. Use a funnel to pour some of the liquid in through the open end of the hose. By putting the mixture in via the upright hose, this will help prime the pump or you could go back inside and turn on the sink faucet and see if it will prime the pump (usually works).
- After you pump in the concentrated mixture, continue to fill fresh water tank all the way up using POWERFILL.
- Turn each faucet on individually to run the Clorox sanitized water through the pipes. Allow to stand for a minimum a 6 hours up to 12 hours.
Sanitizing – Flushing Out the Sanitizing Solution
- After the 6 – 12 hour time frame, open the fresh water low point valve on your fresh water tank and let it drain. Then close the valve.
- Next step is to refill your freshwater tank by switching the levers to POWERFILL using the Nautilus guide. Connect your hose to the city water connection on the camper and also your city water (fresh water) source.
- If you’re not sure of your water pressure, use a water pressure regulator and attach to your hose. This will manage the PSI intake (the amount of water) through your connector. We use Measureman’s Lead-Free Brass Regulator 40-50 psi from Amazon.
- Run each faucet until that each faucet no longer has the Clorox smell. Finish with the outside. You can run everything until you empty it thought your system.
- Then you’ll need to completely drain your gray water tank.
RV is Water Ready!
After you’ve completely flushed, sanitized and drained, your plumbing is ready to use. Refill your freshwater tank to desired fill level using the Nautilus levers set to POWERFILL.
Learning how to de-winterize and sanitize includes several steps. The good news is that with a checklist used with the Nautilus system, it’s easy to follow and check your steps.
More to follow
Our upcoming blogs will offer tips and resources for A) Making sure you’re ready and safe for the road and B) Prepping the inside so you can enjoy the camping, adventuring and glamping life C) Cool stuff and tips for setting up your campsite at a full service campground or Boondock (off the grid) location.
The open road calls, we’re answering and adventuring!
For more blogs on camping and glamping:
- Harvest Hosts for Glampers: How to Travel in RV Style
- The First Glamp Trip: Planning for a Successful Adventure
- Buying a Small Camper for Lifetime Adventures: Photography Travel Journal
