It's getting to be that time again for people who put away their RV's for the winter.  Dow chemical company contacted us to tell us about a new product they have they will make things easier and safer...Dowfrost RVR...We talked to Steven Stanley, Global Business Director for Dow Performance Fluids..

click here to listen to his very important explanation on RV Dream Radio today...

and....read their press releases below to get all the details...



How to Safely Winterize Your RV Water System
 
By Nicole Gorsuch
The Dow Chemical Company    
 
For owners of recreational vehicles – as well as boats, pools, vacation homes and other seasonal equipment and dwellings – some routine water system maintenance this fall could mean the difference between immediate enjoyment next spring and a big repair bill for burst or damaged pipes. Here’s how to prepare your potable water system for freezing winter temperatures safely, effectively and with the lowest environmental impact:  
 
Thoroughly flush and drain pipes and fixtures. Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit, so leave as little in your system as possible. Blow compressed air through the pipes, keeping the pressure less than 20 pounds per square inch to prevent system damage. A wet/dry vacuum on blower setting will work for smaller systems. 
 
Install a water heater bypass.  You may need to install a water heater bypass line to reduce the amount of antifreeze required and to protect only the parts of the system vulnerable to freeze damage. By installing a bypass loop with valves at each end, you will isolate the water system from the heater tank. This allows antifreeze to be pumped into the system without first filling the tank with antifreeze. This can save you several gallons of antifreeze. And make sure your system is capable of accommodating the normal expansion of antifreeze which occurs during periods of winter storage. Consulting a qualified plumber for assistance is never a bad idea.

Use specially formulated propylene glycol antifreeze.  Choosing the right antifreeze product is important to ensure the safety of people or pets that might come in contact with and swallow spilled or stored liquid.  The right type of antifreeze also can prevent harmful pollution of ground and surface water in the event of a spill. Choose a propylene glycol mixture. These products can provide freeze and burst protection as low as -50° F, and are generally safe for people and the environment. DOWFROST™ RVR, available at Wal-Mart stores, is specially formulated for use in RVs and other seasonal equipment and is biodegradable to help protect the environment. It is safe for incidental contact by people or animals. DOWFROST™ RVR has the added benefit of reducing our dependence on petroleum-based chemicals, because it supplements the propylene glycol with renewable plant-based ingredients. Dow, the manufacturer of DOWFROST™ RVR, estimates this formulation could save nearly 250,000 gallons of oil each year.
 
Don’t use automotive antifreeze. Never use automotive antifreeze for water system winterization. Most auto antifreeze is made from ethylene glycol, which is more toxic than propylene glycol and can be more harmful to the environment. And don’t use windshield washer fluid, either, as it can freeze solid at subzero temperatures. 
 
Flush your system thoroughly in the spring. When winter is over, drain, and then flush all of the antifreeze from your water system using plenty of clean water. Capture the antifreeze and any contaminated water used to flush the system and dispose of the waste liquid properly.  For RVs and travel trailers, check with a local campground or RV service center to see if they will allow you to use their wastewater disposal system to discharge the waste. Once the system is thoroughly flushed, close the drains and recharge with drinking water. You are ready for another summer of fun!
 
These tips provide a general guide to successful winterization.  But to ensure the most effective protection, be sure to follow any specific instructions provided by the equipment manufacturer.  

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Protect Your RV, Boat or Pool This Winter:
DOWFROST™ RVR Antifreeze Coming To Wal-Mart 
 
MIDLAND, MICH.—August 25, 2008—The Dow Chemical Company will supply DOWFROST™ RVR seasonal antifreeze to Wal-Mart customers in all 3,800 of its United States stores starting this Labor Day. This is just in time for recreational vehicle, spa, pool, and vacation home owners to prepare for winter temperatures. Sold in convenient, one-gallon containers, DOWFROST™ RVR is a ready-to-use, patent-pending solution that provides protection against water system damage when exposed to freezing temperatures. It is blended with a renewable resource and contains additional proprietary corrosion inhibitors that help prevent rusting of plumbing system components.  
 
DOWFROST™ RVR Is Safer 
DOWFROST™ RVR improves user safety when compared to ethylene glycol-based products. It contains traditional USP propylene glycol and corrosion inhibitors, as well as a plant-derived product. DOWFROST™ RVR ingredients are generally regarded as safe, which is important whenever there is a possibility of drinking water contamination or a chance that it is accidentally spilled. This product is biodegradable so that if released into waterways it would be expected to break down without harming aquatic life. 
 
You can feel confident this winter that your boat, motor home, pool, spa or summer house are protected against pipe bursts caused by freezing weather and that the environment is also safer from using DOWFROST™ RVR. 
 
For more information about DOWFROST™ RVR or for advice on how to winterize an RV, vacation home, boat or other seasonal water system, visit www.dowfrost.com.
 
Petroleum Savings
DOWFROST™ RVR offers significant savings of petroleum-based products.  Based on early estimates of seasonal demand, over three million pounds of traditional hydrocarbons will be saved from consumption – equal to nearly 250,000 gallons of oil.
 
About Dow 
With annual sales of $54 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.