Thank you very much for this video. Compared to the instructions given in the 20X manual, this was extremely helpful in our winterization completed yesterday. As Andrew below has commented, I too would love to see how you de-winterize.
Thanks I have saved this since this is our 1st year with the 22. You know if you didn’t have that Clemson shirt you may remember that outside shower. Glad you showed that. Just make sure you guys beat out Michigan this year in top 25. Was reading all the comments, yeah little surprise they have more of quick leaver instead of screws to get in that area. Saw you trouble shooting tips for some on pump.
Question, I see you have to remove those screws in the bench each time to access the plumbing underneath. Does the constant tightening and removal of these screws eventually bore out the holes in the wood that it is screwing into underneath?
Hello Wayne. Just to add, I spoke to my dealer tech and he said with all of the Basecamps, they don’t drain the hot water tank and just run antifreeze right through the Suburban on demand. He said it’s actually better that way to ensure there isn’t any standing water in the hot water heater somewhere.
Hi Erick, I actually did the same this year as a test. The Suburban manual says it is up to the manufacturer. The only concern I have is making sure the unit doesn’t go into freeze protection when with propane on and burn the antifreeze in the line. I pulled the fuse to prevent this. Thanks for confirmation
@@WayneBogan Thanks. Great tip on the pulling the fuse. Just winterized after our last trip and it got cold as we were traveling and I noticed the hot water heater running when we stopped. I thought something was wrong until I read up on the freeze protection.
Hi Wayne. What fuse do I pull to prevent the hot water heater from going into freeze protection if I run antifreeze through it? Is it a shared fuse that will prevent me from running the furnace during the winter? I followed the compressed air method video from SlowYourRoll to blow out the water lines followed by this video with RV antifreeze last year and I still ended up with a broken water heater when I de-winterized it this spring. The dealership told me I did something wrong to cause freeze damage when I told them I followed both videos step-by-step and there should be no way of that happening. They told me that I should leave the hot water tank valve open but it seems very odd to me that Airstream provides scan codes throughout my 2022 Basecamp 20X for basic things like installing the tables but conveniently leaves out something as critical as proper step-by-step winterization to prevent this from happening.
Thank you, very helpful! I'm a new Basecamp owner and we have the REI version. What do I do with the drinking water spout/filter in that model? Should I run antifreeze through that as well?
Hello! Thanks for the helpful video. Do you have a tutorial for using an air hose to blow out the lines? You mention one but I can't find it. thank you!
Hi Loopmtz, some of the early models had an issue where the valve installed for the winterization kit wasn’t working properly. Right before your water pump inside your bench there is a valve on the line coming from your fresh water tank to the water pump. You can see it in my video. Make sure the valve “knob” is pointed in parallel to the water line. If it is turned perpendicular it will block water from the fresh water tank and is set pull water from the winterization line. If it is parallel and you still aren’t getting water from the fresh tank, you may need to prime the water pump by getting water into the pump. There are a few good videos on TH-cam for this.
Question. When you drained your suburban hot water heater, what heats your water in your water heater? Is your hot water heater electric or propane gas, or both. On Peter words you can chose hot you want to heat your water
Our Suburban water heater is propane only and is a tankless system. During normal operations the water flows through a series of heating elements heated by propane.
Good morning Wayne, How do you like your 2022 base camp? I’m looking at purchasing one. I interested in the just like what you have. The 20X off-road base camp. I have a few questions for you if you don’t mind. 1. Have you had any issues with your hot water heater not lighting? 2. I have read that many basecamp owners are having problems with glass in the side door falling out often when the trailer is being towed. Have you had an issue with this? 3. Does your trailer have a sink in the bathroom? I read airstream has put a sink in the bathroom. 4. Is the microwave strictly a microwave or is it a convectional oven/microwave? 5. Are you happy with your purchase, and would you buy this trailer again? 6. What type of vehicle do you use to two your trailer? I live in Idaho, and the west has many steep mountain passes.
Hi Nicole, I'll answer your questions here but also feel free to reach out to me in one of the Airstream Basecamp or Basecamp 20X groups. 1. No, we haven't had any issues with the water heater. I do bleed my propane lines when I first setup by turning on the stove and lighting both burners for a few minutes. Then I check the water heater. It usually takes 5-10 seconds for hot water to start flowing through the tankless system. 2. Yes, I actually had my window fall out on my last trip. I'll get it replaced by Airstream. There are several good posts in the FB groups showing how to add a metal strip at the top of the door to hold the glass in. 3. No, the Basecamps do not have a sink in the bathroom but the sink is just a step outside the bathroom. 4. The microwave is a normal unit and is not convection. 5. Am I happy? Absolutely. While there have been a few minor issues, we love that I can pull the trailer with my SUV and go just about anywhere. We have a very comfortable "king" sized bed, plenty of storage, AC, water, bathrooms, table, and awesome windows for enjoying the scenery. 6. I use my current Chevy Tahoe that has a 8,300lbs tow capacity. I've towed through the NC and TN mountains without any major issues. There is one section on I-26 that I could only reach 45 mph due to the grade but fine otherwise. Colorado might be a little more challenging depending on your tow vehicle. Good luck and let me know if I can help with any other questions.
When I switch the valve on the water pump to syphon the antifreeze from the bottle nothing happens. I can hear the pump running but I don't appear to have any suction? This is a new issue that just started happening right in time for winterization. It is also not pulling from the fresh water tank consistently either. Do you happen to know if this is because my pump has gone bad and needs to be replaced?
If you are not able to pull water from either the fresh water tank or the winterization kit for antifreeze, you may want to 1) check the filter where the water enters the pump, and 2) may have to prime the pump to get water flowing again.
Thanks for the video. And GO TIGERS!!!!! I'm an alumni, have a new Basecamp 16X & live near Table Rock State Park. Where are you guys from? Thanks again
Hi Greg, Go Tigers! I’m an alumni as well and we live south of Charlotte in Rock Hill. We love the Table Rock area. Hope the video was helpful for you.
Wayne, when you are running the antifreeze through the lines, do you go back and dump the small amount of water that entered the gray tank? Or because it’s mixed with antifreeze you just leave it?
For the grey and black tanks, I just leave the little water that entered the grey and black tanks and don't worry about dumping again. There is some antifreeze that goes into the grey tank as you add antifreeze to the sink drain and even more that goes into the black tank as you flush the toilet to get the antifreeze through the lines.
@Erick, I'd be glad to host another office hours if there is interest. I know another member of the Basecamp Facebook group hosted a similar session a few weeks ago. If you can post in the Facebook group suggesting another session, we can gauge the interest and find a time to host another session.
@Scot, I believe there are two primary reasons. 1) The standard hot water tank would contain around 6 or 10 gallons and would require a lot of antifreeze to fill the tank and pipes and 2) I’ve heard it may causes issues with the anode rod. I haven’t seen a good test to prove the anode rod corruption concern. With a tankless system, #1 isn’t as much of a concern.
Wayne before draining your hot water heater turn the water pump on and it will expel more water. Also, you may have done this off camera but recommend removing the plastic shower head. It may be fine with antifreeze but I brought mine inside just in case. 👍🏻
@Slow Your Roll, Thanks. I wondered about turning on the pump but I had already closed the valves. I'll try that next time as well. I debated removing the shower head as well but left it on as a test since I flushed it well with antifreeze. Thanks for the feedback.
As a first timer, this was extremely helpful. Thanks!
Glad it helped!
Thank you very much for this video. Compared to the instructions given in the 20X manual, this was extremely helpful in our winterization completed yesterday. As Andrew below has commented, I too would love to see how you de-winterize.
@David, I do plan to do a de-winterization video as well as soon as I can. Glad this video was helpful.
Thank you for this informative video, much appreciated! I have now successfully winterized my Basecamp 20X.
Glad it helped!
Thanks I have saved this since this is our 1st year with the 22. You know if you didn’t have that Clemson shirt you may remember that outside shower. Glad you showed that. Just make sure you guys beat out Michigan this year in top 25. Was reading all the comments, yeah little surprise they have more of quick leaver instead of screws to get in that area. Saw you trouble shooting tips for some on pump.
Haha. Glad you enjoyed the video and got a good laugh from my mistakes. So hope Clemson can make it to the playoffs.
Question, I see you have to remove those screws in the bench each time to access the plumbing underneath. Does the constant tightening and removal of these screws eventually bore out the holes in the wood that it is screwing into underneath?
@Erick, I haven’t had any issues so far but, yes, I expect it will eventually causes problems. The good part is that I only do this 1-2 times a year.
Hello Wayne. Just to add, I spoke to my dealer tech and he said with all of the Basecamps, they don’t drain the hot water tank and just run antifreeze right through the Suburban on demand. He said it’s actually better that way to ensure there isn’t any standing water in the hot water heater somewhere.
Hi Erick, I actually did the same this year as a test. The Suburban manual says it is up to the manufacturer. The only concern I have is making sure the unit doesn’t go into freeze protection when with propane on and burn the antifreeze in the line. I pulled the fuse to prevent this. Thanks for confirmation
@@WayneBogan Thanks. Great tip on the pulling the fuse. Just winterized after our last trip and it got cold as we were traveling and I noticed the hot water heater running when we stopped. I thought something was wrong until I read up on the freeze protection.
Hi Wayne. What fuse do I pull to prevent the hot water heater from going into freeze protection if I run antifreeze through it? Is it a shared fuse that will prevent me from running the furnace during the winter? I followed the compressed air method video from SlowYourRoll to blow out the water lines followed by this video with RV antifreeze last year and I still ended up with a broken water heater when I de-winterized it this spring. The dealership told me I did something wrong to cause freeze damage when I told them I followed both videos step-by-step and there should be no way of that happening. They told me that I should leave the hot water tank valve open but it seems very odd to me that Airstream provides scan codes throughout my 2022 Basecamp 20X for basic things like installing the tables but conveniently leaves out something as critical as proper step-by-step winterization to prevent this from happening.
Super helpful! Doing this today. Thank you!
Glad to help.
You're so welcome!
Thank you, very helpful! I'm a new Basecamp owner and we have the REI version. What do I do with the drinking water spout/filter in that model? Should I run antifreeze through that as well?
Hello! Thanks for the helpful video. Do you have a tutorial for using an air hose to blow out the lines? You mention one but I can't find it. thank you!
Hi @Beth, here is a video that may be helpful for you. th-cam.com/video/ay5S8Vc5Okw/w-d-xo.html
Great video. Im having trouble getting my ready to go. No water coming through the pump..
Hi Loopmtz, some of the early models had an issue where the valve installed for the winterization kit wasn’t working properly. Right before your water pump inside your bench there is a valve on the line coming from your fresh water tank to the water pump. You can see it in my video. Make sure the valve “knob” is pointed in parallel to the water line. If it is turned perpendicular it will block water from the fresh water tank and is set pull water from the winterization line. If it is parallel and you still aren’t getting water from the fresh tank, you may need to prime the water pump by getting water into the pump. There are a few good videos on TH-cam for this.
@@WayneBogan Thank you. I'll give it a try today..
this was great and very informative, any chance you can do a DE-winterization video (when it warms up) as I also have a basecamp 20x?
Hi @Andrew, yes, I do plan to create de-winterization video when I do that for my next camping trip. Glad the video was helpful for you.
Thanks for the video. We just bought a 2022 Basecamp 20x used. Noticed the sponge holder in kitchen sink - where did y’all buy it? Thank you
Hi @missykay8346, here is the sponge holder. www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VYZXCQ8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1
Question. When you drained your suburban hot water heater, what heats your water in your water heater? Is your hot water heater electric or propane gas, or both. On Peter words you can chose hot you want to heat your water
Our Suburban water heater is propane only and is a tankless system. During normal operations the water flows through a series of heating elements heated by propane.
Good morning Wayne,
How do you like your 2022 base camp? I’m looking at purchasing one. I interested in the just like what you have. The 20X off-road base camp. I have a few questions for you if you don’t mind.
1. Have you had any issues with your hot water heater not lighting?
2. I have read that many basecamp owners are having problems with glass in the side door falling out often when the trailer is being towed. Have you had an issue with this?
3. Does your trailer have a sink in the bathroom? I read airstream has put a sink in the bathroom.
4. Is the microwave strictly a microwave or is it a convectional oven/microwave?
5. Are you happy with your purchase, and would you buy this trailer again?
6. What type of vehicle do you use to two your trailer? I live in Idaho, and the west has many steep mountain passes.
Hi Nicole, I'll answer your questions here but also feel free to reach out to me in one of the Airstream Basecamp or Basecamp 20X groups.
1. No, we haven't had any issues with the water heater. I do bleed my propane lines when I first setup by turning on the stove and lighting both burners for a few minutes. Then I check the water heater. It usually takes 5-10 seconds for hot water to start flowing through the tankless system.
2. Yes, I actually had my window fall out on my last trip. I'll get it replaced by Airstream. There are several good posts in the FB groups showing how to add a metal strip at the top of the door to hold the glass in.
3. No, the Basecamps do not have a sink in the bathroom but the sink is just a step outside the bathroom.
4. The microwave is a normal unit and is not convection.
5. Am I happy? Absolutely. While there have been a few minor issues, we love that I can pull the trailer with my SUV and go just about anywhere. We have a very comfortable "king" sized bed, plenty of storage, AC, water, bathrooms, table, and awesome windows for enjoying the scenery.
6. I use my current Chevy Tahoe that has a 8,300lbs tow capacity. I've towed through the NC and TN mountains without any major issues. There is one section on I-26 that I could only reach 45 mph due to the grade but fine otherwise. Colorado might be a little more challenging depending on your tow vehicle.
Good luck and let me know if I can help with any other questions.
When I switch the valve on the water pump to syphon the antifreeze from the bottle nothing happens. I can hear the pump running but I don't appear to have any suction? This is a new issue that just started happening right in time for winterization. It is also not pulling from the fresh water tank consistently either. Do you happen to know if this is because my pump has gone bad and needs to be replaced?
If you are not able to pull water from either the fresh water tank or the winterization kit for antifreeze, you may want to 1) check the filter where the water enters the pump, and 2) may have to prime the pump to get water flowing again.
Thanks for the video. And GO TIGERS!!!!! I'm an alumni, have a new Basecamp 16X & live near Table Rock State Park. Where are you guys from? Thanks again
Hi Greg, Go Tigers! I’m an alumni as well and we live south of Charlotte in Rock Hill. We love the Table Rock area. Hope the video was helpful for you.
Wayne, when you are running the antifreeze through the lines, do you go back and dump the small amount of water that entered the gray tank? Or because it’s mixed with antifreeze you just leave it?
For the grey and black tanks, I just leave the little water that entered the grey and black tanks and don't worry about dumping again. There is some antifreeze that goes into the grey tank as you add antifreeze to the sink drain and even more that goes into the black tank as you flush the toilet to get the antifreeze through the lines.
@@WayneBogan Thanks! Do you plan to hold office hours again? I found them very helpful as we waited for delivery of our 2023 Basecamp 20x.
@Erick, I'd be glad to host another office hours if there is interest. I know another member of the Basecamp Facebook group hosted a similar session a few weeks ago. If you can post in the Facebook group suggesting another session, we can gauge the interest and find a time to host another session.
great shirt!!!
@Bev, thanks, Go Tigers
Our antifreeze isn’t being sucked up into the system. Has anyone else have that happen?
Seems like it is going into the fresh water tank?!
Why can't you run antifreeze into the hot water heater?
@Scot, I believe there are two primary reasons. 1) The standard hot water tank would contain around 6 or 10 gallons and would require a lot of antifreeze to fill the tank and pipes and 2) I’ve heard it may causes issues with the anode rod. I haven’t seen a good test to prove the anode rod corruption concern. With a tankless system, #1 isn’t as much of a concern.
@@WayneBogan Thank you. Sounds right.
Wayne before draining your hot water heater turn the water pump on and it will expel more water. Also, you may have done this off camera but recommend removing the plastic shower head. It may be fine with antifreeze but I brought mine inside just in case. 👍🏻
@Slow Your Roll, Thanks. I wondered about turning on the pump but I had already closed the valves. I'll try that next time as well. I debated removing the shower head as well but left it on as a test since I flushed it well with antifreeze. Thanks for the feedback.