The winter is finally over here in Michigan and it is time to get the Forest River Shamrock / Roo travel trailer de-winterize and ready for the season (this particular camper is a 23IKSS). In this guide I’ll show you how to fully de winterize your Shamrock / Roo travel trailer in preparation for what is hopefully another fun filled spring, summer and fall.
It is recommended to not dump RV antifreeze on the ground. The best practice is to put the antifreeze in the travel trailers gray and black water tanks. The first camping trip out you can simply hit the dump station prior to setting up camp.
Tools Needed to Dewinterize Shamrock / Roo Travel Trailer
- 1 1/16″ socket
- Ratchet
- Hose and Water Source
- New anode (optional if the old is in good working order)
- Plumbers tape
How To Remove the Shamrock / Roo Travel Trailers Antifreeze
To start the process we will simply be rinsing all the anti freeze out of the lines. This will need to be done prior to turning the hot water heater back on along with the fresh water tank as you don’t want antifreeze in either location.
Start out by connecting a garden hose to the city water connection port on the side of your travel trailer.
Once connected, turn the water source on to pressurize the camper.
From here, simply go through the travel trailer and run all faucets clear. I like to start out with the faucet furthest away from the water source which is the kitchen faucet. Turn the cold water on and let it run until it is clear.
Repeat this process with the hot water.
Once the kitchen sink is complete move on into the bathroom. Turn the cold water on and run it until it is clear and then repeat this process for the hot water.
The same will need to be done with the shower. Turn the cold water on and run it until the water is clear and then repeat the process with the hot water.
Next, flush the toilet until the water runs clear. This will conclude the work on the inside of the camper.
Prior to moving on to the water heater and opening up the fresh water holding tank there is one more step that needs to be done. This process needs to also be done to the outdoor shower if your camper is equipped with one. Turn the cold water on and run it until clear.
Repeat this process with the hot and run it until clear.
How to Dewinterize Shamrock / Roo Camper Hot Water Heater
De-winterizing the hot water heater is also another easy task to complete. Every season I like to start out with a new RV water heater anode.
I recommend this because they are cheap and ensure you can heat the water all year electricity. Yes, you have propane back up, but if you are camping with electricity you might as well save that propane.
Whether you have decided to reuse your existing water heater anode or have purchased new, you’ll want to warp some plumbers tape around the fitting. This helps ensure you don’t have any leaks.
To do this, simply wrap the threads counter clockwise one or two times.
Grab a 1 1/16″ socket for installation.
Don’t over tighten, just snug the water heaters anode up in which you are done with needing any more tools.
At this point, all the antifreeze should be out of the lines and the anode is inserted to prevent any leaking. It is now OK to start turning valves. Start out by turning the cold water supply on.
Followed by the water heaters hot water valve.
Lastly, turn the hot water heaters bypass off. Once complete turn on any faucet in the camper and let the tank fill and all the air spit out (I recommend the kitchen faucet for this).
Once the hot water heater has been de-winterized you can move on to the last step which is the fresh water holding tank. Disconnect the hose from the city water connection and fill the fresh water holding tank.
While the tank is filling, turn the fresh water holding tank valve to allow the pump to pump the water out. I like to run the pump to ensure everything is in working order prior to our first trip. At this point, everything should be up and running. Enjoy what is hopefully another fun filled spring, summer and fall of camping!
How to Dewinterize Forest River Shamrock Roo Travel Trailers
The winter is finally over here in Michigan and it is time to get the Forest River Shamrock / Roo travel trailer de-winterize and ready for the season. In this guide I’ll show you how to fully de winterize your Shamrock / Roo travel trailer in preparation for what is hopefully another fun filled spring, summer and fall.
Materials
- New anode (optional if the old is in good working order)
- Plumbers tape
Tools
- 1 1/16" Socket
- Ratchet
- Hose & Water Source
Instructions
- Connect the hose to the campers city water connection port. Turn the water source on.
- Turn the kitchen sinks cold water on and run it clear. Repeat this process for the hot water.
- Turn the bathroom sinks cold water on and run it clear. Repeat this process for the hot water.
- Turn the shower heads cold water on and run it clear. Repeat this process for the hot water.
- Flush the toilet until the water runs clear.
- Open the outdoor shower if your travel trailer is equipped with one. Turn the cold water on until the water runs clear. Repeat this process for the hot water.
- Put some new plumbers tape on the thread of the water heaters anode (counterclockwise).
- Insert the anode into the hot water tank. Snug with a 1 1/16" socket but do not over tighten.
- Turn the hot water heaters cold water supply valve on. Followed by the hot water supply line valve and then turn the by pass valve off.
- Run the kitchens hot water line in the sink until all the air has been pushed out and replaced with water.
- Fill water supply holding tank. While the tank is filling, turn the water holding tanks valve to the open position. Once water is in the holding tank turn on the pump (you should not longer be connected to the city water connection). Ensure that the pump is working properly and you have de-winterized the Forest River's Shamrock / Roo Travel Trailer camper!
Notes
Hot water heater anode's are cheap. I recommend replacing it every year to ensure you don't have any water heating issues. Enjoy the camping season!
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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Charles D Kestell
Sunday 22nd of October 2023
Thank you . Do I see a PVC pipe covering the top bunk end seal?
Ben Esman
Friday 3rd of November 2023
Yes. I tend to go a little overkill. When I put it into storage for the winter I place a piece of PVC over the top lip to keep water out. I've never had an issue, but I would hate for an issue to arise in the middle of winter when I'm not paying attention to it. To do this, I just ran a piece of PVC through a table saw. I basically cut a quarter of it off. This allows it to sit in the channel and then goes over the top seal.