Winterizing a Furrion water heater follows the standard RV water heater winterization pattern, with specific notes about the FWH series' bypass valve configuration and the Vibrant Tankless variant's unique drain procedure.
Pre-winterization checklist
- Verify your Furrion model (FWH-6, FWH-10, Vibrant Tankless, etc.) — procedure varies slightly
- Confirm bypass valve configuration in your specific RV
- Have RV-rated propylene glycol antifreeze available (gallon per 50-foot freshwater run typical)
- Document current state with photos before starting
Procedure for Furrion FWH (tank) models
Step 1: Disable heating
Turn off propane, electric water heater switch, and propane main shutoff valve.
Step 2: Allow cooling and depressurize
Wait 2 hours minimum after last hot water use. Open the T&P relief valve to break vacuum. Open a hot faucet inside the RV.
Step 3: Drain the tank
Open the access panel and locate the anode rod or drain plug at the tank's base. Remove fully and allow complete drain. Use a flush wand to remove any sediment that might remain.
Step 4: Move bypass valves to winter position
Furrion FWH typically uses a 3-valve bypass identical to Suburban/Atwood layouts. Move all three valves to the bypass configuration. Verify by checking water doesn't enter the tank when cold supply is pressurized.
Step 5: Reinstall drain plug
Wrap threads with Teflon tape, hand-tighten plus 1/4 turn with wrench.
Step 6: Add antifreeze to freshwater system
- Add RV antifreeze to freshwater inlet (or fill freshwater tank with antifreeze if your system supports that)
- Activate water pump or pressurize from city water
- Open each hot fixture until pink antifreeze flows
- Open each cold fixture until pink antifreeze flows
- Include outdoor shower, rear sink, washing machine connections if equipped
Procedure for Vibrant Tankless
Tankless winterization is different — no tank to drain, but the heat exchanger and internal piping must be cleared of water.
Step 1: Drain the tankless heat exchanger
Furrion publishes a specific drain procedure for Vibrant Tankless involving:
- Power off and gas off
- Open drain valves at the unit (typically two drain points)
- Apply low-pressure compressed air to push remaining water through the heat exchanger
- Verify all water is cleared from internal passages
Step 2: Bypass and antifreeze
Move bypass valves to bypass position (if your installation has them), add antifreeze through freshwater system as with tank models. The tankless doesn't need antifreeze inside it if properly drained, but the freshwater plumbing throughout the RV does.
Common Furrion-specific winterization mistakes
- Skipping the Vibrant Tankless compressed-air drain: residual water in the heat exchanger freezes and cracks the copper coils — irreparable damage, requires full unit replacement
- Forgetting Furrion-specific bypass valve positions: Furrion FWH bypass scheme is similar but not identical to Suburban — verify in your manual
- Using non-RV antifreeze: automotive antifreeze is toxic; only use propylene glycol RV antifreeze
- Storing with bay access panel ajar: mice nest in insulation
De-winterization in spring
- Drain antifreeze from freshwater system through fixtures
- Flush with fresh water until clear
- Move bypass valves to "in use"
- For Vibrant Tankless: close drain valves at the unit
- Fill tank or pressurize freshwater system
- Verify no leaks at all connections
- Restore propane and electric
- Verify normal operation
Warranty considerations
Furrion warranty explicitly excludes freeze damage. Document winterization steps with photos each year — if a unit fails later and you need to claim warranty for unrelated reasons, demonstrating proper winterization protects against denial based on "potential freeze damage."