RV Winterization Guide – How to Winterize an RV

Your house is able to handle extremely cold temperatures thanks to insulation and a heating system that helps maintain warmth.

Your RV, however, is not as prepared. For example, the water in the plumbing system can freeze and expand when temperatures plummet. This can result in burst or cracked pipes, leading to leaks and water damage.

Not only that but your RV is likely to spend a fair bit of time in storage during the off-season. This downtime can take a toll on your RV, especially if it hasn’t been properly winterized.

Without proper winterization, you could be looking at:

• Frozen and burst water lines
• Water damage to the interior
• Damage to the plumbing system
• Potential leaks and bursts in the water system, including the freshwater holding tank

The Risk of Freezing

You might wonder, why worry about a little cold weather?

The truth is that freezing temperatures can cause significant damage to your RV’s water system. Remember, water expands when it freezes, and that’s bad news for your pipes and valves, as well as your water heater’s heating element.

If you’re thinking, “I’ll just fix it if it breaks,” you might want to reconsider. Repair costs can range from $100 to a whopping $8,400 or more, depending on the extent of the damage and the specific components that need repair or replacement.

Seasonal Storage Considerations

As the camping season concludes and it’s time to store your RV for winter, storage becomes crucial. However, many RV owners make mistakes when storing their vehicle for the winter. These include:

• Neglecting to empty all storage compartments
• Not researching for an appropriate RV storage space
• Overlooking the need to drain water lines and inline water filters
• Using low-quality antifreeze
• Failing to adequately clean the RV before storage
• Underestimating the significance of insulation and heating systems

Proper storage, whether indoor or outdoor, is crucial as it will help protect your RV from the elements and minimize wear and tear, ultimately extending its lifespan.

It’s also essential to consider the following factors:

• Parking it in a secure and sheltered location
• Assessing associated costs
• Draining the lines and tanks
• Removing batteries and turning off all systems
• Protecting it from moisture

By taking these steps, you can ensure that your RV is well-preserved during storage and avoid potential visits to RV repair facilities.

Gathering Your Winterization Toolkit

Before starting the winterization process, you want to assemble the correct tools and supplies. Think of it as assembling your defenses against the impending winter chill.

In terms of essential supplies, you’ll need non-toxic RV antifreeze, a water pump converter kit, and a water heater bypass kit.

Why these specific supplies?

Take propylene glycol, for example, it’s an antifreeze that’s safe for use in potable water systems and marine engines, making it ideal for RVs. A water pump converter kit and water heater bypass kit are also crucial for getting the antifreeze into your RV’s water system without filling the water heater tank.

Essential Supplies

Let’s break down those essential supplies a bit more. The star of the show is undoubtedly the non-toxic RV antifreeze – that’s what’s going to keep your water lines from freezing and potentially bursting.

Brands like Splash RV/Marine Antifreeze and Prestone Waterline Antifreeze come highly recommended. You’ll typically need several gallons of antifreeze to adequately protect all the plumbing lines during winterization.

Next up is the water pump converter kit. This handy tool diverts the water flow from the fresh water pump to a pick-up tube that draws antifreeze into the plumbing. Think of it as the delivery system for your antifreeze.

Handy Tools for the Job

In addition to those essential supplies, there are a few tools that can make your RV winterization process a bit easier. One of these is a tank cleaning wand. This tool is especially useful if your RV doesn’t have a built-in holding tank flush system.

Another helpful tool is an adjustable wrench. It’ll allow you to perform various tasks such as installing a Pump Converter Winterizing Kit or for removing a drain that has an anode rod attached.

Draining and Prepping the Water System

With your toolkit assembled, you can now begin the winterization process. The initial step involves draining and preparing the water system.

Remember, any water left in your RV’s plumbing system can freeze and expand, potentially causing damage to:

• water lines
• holding tanks
• the water heater
• other plumbing systems

The draining and prepping process involves two key tasks: emptying the holding tanks and bypassing the water heater. Let’s delve into each of these in turn.

Emptying the Holding Tanks

Emptying the holding tanks is a crucial step in the winterization process. This includes the black water tank (for wastewater from the toilet), the gray water tanks (for wastewater from the sinks and shower), and the freshwater tank.

To drain the fresh water tank and empty the other tanks, connect one side of your sewer drainage hose to the drain pipe on your RV, use a rinsing tool to clean the tanks, and then open each tank valve one at a time and allow it to empty completely.

It’s a good idea to wait until the tanks are approximately 65% full before you empty them. Doing this helps ensure that all waste is flushed out effectively. Also, remember to take precautions such as ensuring there is water in the base of the tank and adding holding tank chemicals before use.

Bypassing the Water Heater

The second part of prepping your water system for winter is bypassing the water heater. This step is crucial because it prevents antifreeze from entering the water heater and allows any water in the heater to drain out.

To bypass your hot water tank, follow these steps:

1. Open the bypass valve that connects the cold and hot water plumbing lines – that will redirect the water flow away from the water heater
2. Remove the white drain plug to let the drain water heater
3. Turn off the water heater and let it cool before you start

Protecting Your Pipes and Valves

After draining and preparing your water system, you want to safeguard your pipes and valves. This involves pumping antifreeze through the system and securing all water entry points.

Pump Antifreeze Through the System

Pumping antifreeze through your RV’s water system is a key step in the winterization process. It will replace the water in the plumbing lines, thus preventing the water from freezing, expanding, and potentially causing the pipes to burst.

To pump antifreeze through your system, you can either use a hand pump kit or install a pump converter kit. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open each faucet one at a time until antifreeze flows out
2. Flush the toilet until you see pink antifreeze
3. Open a water heater valve to allow the antifreeze to flow through the system

Secure All Water Entry Points

Once you’ve pumped antifreeze through your system, it’s time to secure all water entry points. This includes any openings for the water tank fill, the potable water fill port (if your RV has one), and every point where a cable or pipe goes through the floor.

To secure these points, you’ll want to thoroughly check and close them to prevent any leaks. You can use specific covers or plugs for openings such as the potable water fill and city water inlet. And don’t forget to inspect any seals and seams and repair them if necessary.

Final Touches and Additional Measures

There are a few final steps that you want to take to ensure that your RV is fully winterized and ready to face the freezing temperatures.

Pour Antifreeze in P-Traps and Toilet Bowl

One of these final steps is pouring antifreeze down your sink drains, P-traps, toilet bowl, and low point drains. It will acts as an extra layer of protection, preventing the P-traps from freezing and cracking, thereby safeguarding against leaks and subsequent damage.

You’ll typically need about one quart of RV antifreeze for each drain, P-trap, and toilet. It’s also a good idea to leave a bit of antifreeze in the toilet to maintain the air seal.

Air Circulation and Moisture Control

In addition to protecting your pipes and valves, it’s also important to ensure proper air circulation and moisture control within your RV. That will help prevent mold and mildew growth during storage, which can cause damage to wood surfaces and other materials inside your RV.

To ensure proper air circulation, consider opening up the vents to allow a bit of airflow and slightly opening one window. For moisture control, you can use a dehumidifier or desiccants such as silica packets to maintain low moisture levels inside the RV.

Special Considerations for Appliances and Extras

Certain appliances in your RV may require special attention. These include:

• washing machines
• ice makers
• clothes washers
• dishwashers
• instantaneous water heaters

Ice Maker Winterization

If your RV has an ice maker, you’ll also need to take special precautions to winterize it. Here’s how:

1. Shut off the RV water supply to the ice maker
2. Raise and lock the shutoff arm in the OFF position

Remember, it’s not advisable to run RV antifreeze into the ice maker molds. Instead, you’ll want to pass RV antifreeze through the ice maker’s plumbing during the winterization process. That will ensure that the ice maker is protected, without contaminating the ice maker itself with antifreeze.

Washing Machine Precautions

If your RV has a washing machine, you’ll also need to take steps to prepare it for winter storage. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Disconnect the feeds and drain them
2. Pour a quart of RV antifreeze into the machine
3. Run the washer on a spin cycle to distribute the antifreeze
4. Turn off and unplug the machine, and disconnect the hoses

If necessary, consult the owner’s manual for further instructions. Each washing machine can have slightly different procedures, so it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to prevent any potential damage.

Knowing How to Winterize an RV

Winterizing your RV is a crucial task that can save you from costly repairs and a disappointing start to your camping season.

From understanding why you need to winterize your RV to gathering the right tools, draining and prepping the water system, protecting your pipes and valves, and applying the final touches, each step is crucial to ensuring your RV is ready to face the winter.

Remember, while the process may seem daunting, taking the time to properly winterize your RV is an investment in your future adventures. So, get your toolkit ready, follow these steps, and your RV will be all set to brave the cold. Here’s to a cozy winter for your RV and exciting journeys ahead!

Key Takeaways

• Winterizing an RV is essential to prevent freezing and burst pipes, water damage, and the costly repairs that can result from these issues. Draining water systems and using non-toxic antifreeze are key steps in the process.
• An effective RV winterization toolkit includes a non-toxic RV antifreeze, water pump converter kit, water heater bypass kit, and useful tools like tank cleaning wands and an adjustable wrench.
• It’s important to take extra precautions with RV appliances like ice makers and washing machines during winterization and ensure air circulation and moisture control to prevent mold and mildew growth.

Knowing How to Winterize Your RV – FAQs

Should you leave faucets open after winterizing RV?

Yes, you should leave faucets open after winterizing your RV. That will drain the water from the system, which will help prevent damage to the unit.

At what temperature does an RV need to be winterized?

An RV needs to be winterized when the temperature falls below 30°F for more than 20 or 30 minutes to prevent the lines from freezing.

How many gallons does it take to winterize an RV?

You will need two to three gallons of antifreeze to winterize most RVs. Simply pour the antifreeze into the freshwater tank, then open each faucet until pink antifreeze comes out. Remember to flush the toilet a few times as well.

Can you put RV antifreeze in freshwater tank?

No, it’s not recommended to put RV antifreeze in the freshwater tank. It’s better to drain the tank and bypass it.

Why do I need to winterize my RV?

Winterizing your RV is crucial to prevent damage from freezing temperatures, including burst pipes and leaks, and to ensure it’s ready for use after seasonal storage.