Winterizing a 2024 Gulf Stream 5210 With Limited Pump Access

[JackVH]

I just bought a 2024 5210 and there is no easy way to get to the water pump to run antifreeze in the system. Am I missing something? Seems like an oversight by Gulfstream.

 

[wildtoad]

I feel your pain!

The scientists at GS placed my water pump under my bed in a 5255 which has two small twin beds. No outside access. They sealed the bed platform (upside down) instead of screws to the frame but were nice enough (sarcasm) to cut a ragged 6” hole directly over the pump. No good way to winterize and no way to pull maintenance on the pump or access the area to fix leaks etc.

Had to get dealer to correct all that (amongst all the other issues) but all is better.

Maybe someone with your model will come along and provide insights on what to do.

 

[JackVH]

Thanks for the confirmation. At least you got a “6 inch” hole. I guess if the 5210 was made in a state that got below freezing, GS would realize winterizing is important (my attempt at sarcasm).

 

[Ronald1955]

I just bought a 2024 5210 and there is no easy way to get to the water pump to run antifreeze in the system. Am I missing something? Seems like an oversight by Gulfstream.

On our 2022 5230 the pump is located below the side closet next to fridge and can be accessed by pulling out lower draw. We have not had to winterize, only because I can turn on portable electric heater when it does get below 32 which is very rare in our area. I do drain water lines and fresh water tank. I have a compressor to blow low pressure air at city water connection. I also remove Anode rod from water heater and drain the water then install a new rod for next year. Our RV has 30 amp plug available on the RV pad.

 

[pilots48]

Just run your pump until it runs out of water, then put 1 or 2 gallons of antifreeze in your tank. Turn on your pump and open a faucet until antifreeze comes out. Do that at all faucets. Now antifreeze is in all your piping. Some systems have a valve you switch to a suction line that you put into a bottle of antifreeze and when you turn on the pump it sucks it thru the system except it doesn't protect your water line from fresh water tank. Putting antifreeze in your fresh water tank protects everything.

 

[JackVH]

Thanks Good point!

 

[THenne1713]

I feel your pain!

The scientists at GS placed my water pump under my bed in a 5255 which has two small twin beds. No outside access. They sealed the bed platform (upside down) instead of screws to the frame but were nice enough (sarcasm) to cut a ragged 6” hole directly over the pump. No good way to winterize and no way to pull maintenance on the pump or access the area to fix leaks etc.

Had to get dealer to correct all that (amongst all the other issues) but all is better.

Maybe someone with your model will come along and provide insights on what to do.

Shud be easy enuf to use hole to verify frame/ wire locations and cut access any size U want/ allowable and slap another piece of 1/4" plywood over access hole? Most big box sell pre-cut plywood small pieces like 4x4ft, 2x4 ft and 2x2 ft?

 

[wildtoad]

Shud be easy enuf to use hole to verify frame/ wire locations and cut access any size U want/ allowable and slap another piece of 1/4" plywood over access hole? Most big box sell pre-cut plywood small pieces like 4x4ft, 2x4 ft and 2x2 ft?

Had a cutout made under warranty as even the service manager at the dealer couldn't believe how f'd up things were. The cutout was made in the bed platform using the cut out piece as the plug, with added framing below. To do all this they had to cut the sealant GS used to glue the platform to the frame (instead of screws thru the predrilled holes in the platform).

While they were doing this, they took the opportunity to address the p-poor job GS did on the water fill tubing going uphill from the fill point to the tank.

Just one of many issues which after a year were mostly corrected.