How to Use the Water System in the TOPO2 Year Round!

The leaves are changing and the temperatures are dropping, which means it’s time to consider winterizing your TOPO2 teardrop trailer. (For our Original TOPO Owners, you can check out this blog for a step-by-step guide to winterizing your pod!)

You might be wondering if the TOPO2 is a four-season trailer, why do I need to winterize my trailer? Just like your house pipes in the winter, you have to keep them in use with the heat on in order to prevent them from freezing. As temps drop below freezing without the trailer heat on, any water that is left in the plumbing lines or in the pump may freeze and expand, potentially causing damage. This damage will present itself as leaks come spring.

If the heat in your trailer isn’t going to be in constant use through the winter, you’ll want to complete this quick and easy winterization process each time you plan to store it in below-freezing temperatures.

Below, we’ve outlined the step-by-step process that you’ll need to follow to winterize the water system on your Escapod TOPO2.

We are going to keep it simple with what you’ll need to winterize your TOPO2! You’ll want to start with your trailer on a level surface and have the following items readily available:

- Pair of pliers (optional)

- Trailer levelers (or a rock or curb available)

- Wheel chocks

& that’s it! Not much is required for this process to be completed.

1. Start with your trailer on level ground and use wheel chocks to keep the trailer stable.
2. If there is a large amount of water still remaining in the tank, you’ll want to let the sink run with the sidewall drain open until the water flow begins to slow. Simply open the faucet and turn on the water pump.
3. Turn off the sink and water pump.
4. Next, you’ll need to open the valves under the sink. To do this, follow these steps.
   1. Remove the utensil drawer from the galley. There are tabs on both sides of the drawers, you’ll lift one up and push one down to remove the drawer completely.
   2. Turn your water pump on.
   3. Pull your stove drawer out & sit underneath the stove.
   4. Use your hands or a pair of pliers to open both valves. You’ll reach up behind the stove, grab the white tabs and turn them to the left.
   5. Flip the yellow lever into the downward position to allow the water to begin draining.
5. Allow your water tank to drain until your water pump begins to sputter
6. Once the water is sputtering, you’ll turn your water pump off.
7. Next, you need to lift the driver’s side of the trailer 3-6 inches off the ground. This can be done using leveling blocks, a small ramp, a rock, pulling the trailer up on a curb, etc. In this step, our primary goal is to ensure the pump is running dry.
8. Ensure that the trailer from front to back is level. (It will be intentionally uneven side-to-side).
9. Turn the water pump back on.
10. Allow the pump to drain any additional water out of the tank till it is dry (minimal to no sputtering).
11. Turn the water pump back off and leave the valves under the sink open until your next use.
12. Place the utensil drawer back into place.
13. Close the stove drawer and then you’re done!

**Do not place antifreeze in your TOPO2 for any reason.

**Make sure you’ve also drained the shower head. This should be done after every use (even outside the winter months) so that no mildew develops.

1. Ensure all valves underneath the stove are closed following these steps:
   1. Remove the utensil drawer from the galley. There are tabs on both sides of the drawers, you’ll lift one up and push one down to remove the drawer completely.
   2. Pull your stove drawer out & sit underneath the stove.
   3. Use your hands or a pair of pliers to close both valves. You’ll reach up behind the stove, grab the white tabs and turn them to the right.
   4. Flip the yellow lever into the upward position.
2. Fill your water tank with water.
3. Turn the water pump on.
4. Wait until the system is silent before using water. (This allows the Aqua-Hot Gen1 hydronic heating system reservoir to properly fill and pressurize)
5. Use the water system as needed!

Two tips for safely using the water system during winter:

1. When you fill the tank with water, do not turn on the water pump until the heat is on at camp.
   1. The water in the main water tank is not as susceptible to freezing due to the low specific heat of the water and the volume of the tank (21–gallons), so you can fill it in below freezing temps. However, the smaller tank in the Aqua-Hot Gen1 (2 gallons) and the small space in the water pump are more susceptible to damage from freezing water. Once winterized, water will only enter the Aqua-Hot and water pump when you’ve followed the de-winterization process above and turned on the water pump. So, we recommend not turning on the water pump until you are at camp and have heated the cabin to a comfortable room temperature.
2. Keep the heat running once you’re set up at camp (even when you’re away from your trailer).
   1. This will ensure that the plumbing lines, Aqua-Hot heating system tank, and water pump all remaining above freezing during your trip.

Be sure to follow the winterization process outlined above before driving home!

More of a visual learner? We’ve got you covered with a video going over the full process!

With a simple process that doesn’t require the use of RV antifreeze, you’ll be able to utilize your trailer through all the seasons of the year with ease!

If you have any questions about the winterization process for the TOPO2, please email our support team at [email protected].

Stay warm in this off-season!