Testing the Cougar Polar Package Plus - Page 2

SADLY · 02-15-2016, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdxbonez

... the -50* antifreeze from Walmart freezes solid at -20*! I had brought 4 gallons up with me in anticipation of using them when I flushed the holding tanks upon leaving, but when I went to put them away yesterday, they were all frozen. I'm now glad that I was here this weekend with the heat on, as this is the same product that I winterized with this past fall. I'll pay more for the brand name, Prestone or similar going forward....

All RV antifreeze will freeze or get slushy at certain temps. This is normal.

Its properties are such that it does NOT expand (unlike water) when it freezes. No damage from broken pipes and fittings.

hdxbonez · 02-15-2016, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SADLY

All RV antifreeze will freeze or get slushy at certain temps. This is normal.

Its properties are such that it does NOT expand (unlike water) when it freezes. No damage from broken pipes and fittings.

That may be the case with a premium product, but I can tell you that the bottoms on 2 of the jugs that i brought were bulged out to the point that they would not sit flat on my shed floor. Here's a photo that I took this morning, you can see the bulge in the jug on the left, and the cap popped on the right hand jug. The thermometer in my shed read -22*F.

SkiSmuggs · 02-15-2016, 07:48 AM

Great, just great!

**JRTJH** · 02-15-2016, 09:34 AM

Looking at those antifreeze jugs is "unsettling" ....

Through the years, I've found that "Artic Ban" RV antifreeze to be "reliable"... By that, I mean that so far, I've never had any plumbing damage when using this brand. It costs a bit more than some of the "cheaper stuff" but ACE hardware almost always has it on sale for $2.99 a gallon every fall. Occasionally they sell the "leftovers" in the spring for $1.99 a gallon. I can't attest to any other brands, but Arctic Ban has worked for me in -30F temps for the past 6 years in northern Michigan. I even put it in my pressure washer and 12 volt sprayers.

SADLY · 02-15-2016, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdxbonez

That may be the case with a premium product, but I can tell you that the bottoms on 2 of the jugs that i brought were bulged out to the point that they would not sit flat on my shed floor. Here's a photo that I took this morning, you can see the bulge in the jug on the left, and the cap popped on the right hand jug. The thermometer in my shed read -22*F.

That sucks...

Stick with the good stuff and don't sweat it! The expansion should be nill!

hankaye · 02-15-2016, 05:27 PM

hdxbonez, Howdy;

At the least, open the taps to give it room to grow. any los will end up in the drains
then the traps. Oh, did you pour some into sit in the traps???

hankaye

rhagfo · 02-15-2016, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdxbonez

That may be the case with a premium product, but I can tell you that the bottoms on 2 of the jugs that i brought were bulged out to the point that they would not sit flat on my shed floor. Here's a photo that I took this morning, you can see the bulge in the jug on the left, and the cap popped on the right hand jug. The thermometer in my shed read -22*F.

This is one of the reasons I prefer to blow the lines!!
The second is wife's taste is very sensitive and it takes forever to flush out the taste.
the third is we four season camp and several of the SP we go to don't have full hookups, so we don't want to fill the tanks flushing the system.

hdxbonez · 02-16-2016, 05:33 AM

Haven't seen the Arctic Ban product around here, but Walmart does also carry Prestone. You can bet I'll spend the extra $1.50 a jug in the future! The extreme cold has passed, and I had the heat on throughout it, so I'm not really concerned about any damage to my camper. We'll find out in May, though.....

Like many others, I prefer to keep anti freeze in my plumbing as opposed to just blowing the lines out. I never feel confident that all of the low spots are completely evacuated. Besides, I'm relying on the antifreeze in my traps and drain valves anyway, and I dont mind flushing the system in the spring.

Pmedic4 · 02-17-2016, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hdxbonez

That may be the case with a premium product, but I can tell you that the bottoms on 2 of the jugs that i brought were bulged out to the point that they would not sit flat on my shed floor. Here's a photo that I took this morning, you can see the bulge in the jug on the left, and the cap popped on the right hand jug. The thermometer in my shed read -22*F.

Well, I feel cold just reading the temperature in your shed was -22°.

Actually, I like to at least put antifreeze into my pump, I'm not sure it would blow out or not, so I just pump some in through the intake.

Pmedic4 · 02-17-2016, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

Looking at those antifreeze jugs is "unsettling" ....

Through the years, I've found that "Artic Ban" RV antifreeze to be "reliable"... By that, I mean that so far, I've never had any plumbing damage when using this brand. It costs a bit more than some of the "cheaper stuff" but ACE hardware almost always has it on sale for $2.99 a gallon every fall. Occasionally they sell the "leftovers" in the spring for $1.99 a gallon. I can't attest to any other brands, but Arctic Ban has worked for me in -30F temps for the past 6 years in northern Michigan. I even put it in my pressure washer and 12 volt sprayers.

I've always worried about my Pressure washer and kept it in the garage, not heated but close to the house, and never thought about the 12 volt sprayer. Thanks for the non-RV tip!

nellie1289 · 02-17-2016, 04:59 PM

Here in the warm climates of western Oregon we just blow out the lines on my RV. I would be totally confident doing this in the cold climates of Michigan or CT as others have posted here, given how well it seems to blow out. even if a little water is left it should have room to expand, but I would be interested in getting your take on it for those of you from these really cold states? Pumping it through seems like overkill.

Ps, the jugs pic I would send that off to the manufacturer customer service and call out there BS. that is not a good sign!

bsmith0404 · 02-17-2016, 05:12 PM

When I lived in colder climates I've done both the blowout and the antifreeze methods and didn't have a problem with either. If I used antifreeze, I would also blow the lines out as well to make sure I didn't have diluted antifreeze in the lines, probably overkill.

We still get some cold weather down here in NM so I do winterize still (just to be on the safe side), but I don't blow the lines out. I can pump antifreeze through in about 5 mins, very quick and easy winterization process.

ilovedahorse · 01-07-2021, 10:05 AM

Does hay really work better than straw bales? We've used yellow oat straw for various winter insulating protection. It seems like the straw bales are also used in house building, etc.

**flybouy** · 01-07-2021, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovedahorse

Does hay really work better than straw bales? We've used yellow oat straw for various winter insulating protection. It seems like the straw bales are also used in house building, etc.

Welcome to the forum. The post thread your are in is over 4 years old. You would have a better chance of getting responses if you post a new thread.

travelin texans · 01-07-2021, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovedahorse

Does hay really work better than straw bales? We've used yellow oat straw for various winter insulating protection. It seems like the straw bales are also used in house building, etc.

Personally would NOT use either, that's turning on the he VACANCY sign for critters to share your nice warm rv with you. Not to mention the price of hay or straw these days could get costly rather quickly.
Better option would foam board as skirting.

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