How to Winterize Your RV – NW Adventure Rentals

Winter is coming and not only does it bring cozy hearth-fires and exciting outdoor activities, it can bring frigid temperatures and harsh weather.  Before the snow flies, you’ll want to make sure that your RV is safely stored and tucked in for the cold months ahead.  Winterizing is of the utmost importance for the longevity of your rig and, when done properly, can save you a ton of money in costly repairs.

Depending on what the winter season is like in your area, there are generally two procedures to winterizing that will ensure you won’t have cracked pipes and leaks when the weather warms in the spring.

#1 The Compressed Air Method, which uses an air compressor to remove all water from the pipes in your RV.

#2 The Antifreeze Method, which uses a pump to fill the water lines in your RV with a special, non-toxic, RV specific antifreeze.

Here, we will go through the process of winterizing your RV step by step, so that you can do this service yourself.  However, if the process seems too overwhelming or you do not have the ability to complete these steps on your own, we have highly trained service technicians that are happy to take care of all your winterizing needs for you.

Please keep in mind that every RV is different, some units may have additional items that are harder to winterize.  Not every situation is covered in this DIY guide, but it does provide all the basic knowledge you will need to be successful.

1. Empty Fresh Water Tank and Open Low Point Drain – To begin the process, you will need to empty your RV’s fresh water holding tanks of all liquid. To do this, locate the low point and fresh water tank drain and open the valves.  The low point drain is usually labeled and easy to find, but if you are having trouble, check your owner’s manual.
2. Drain the Water Heater – Do not drain the water heater if it is hot or has pressure built up in it. Be sure that the water pump is turned off and the RV is not connected to water.  Remove the drain plug or anode and open the pressure release valve.  Now is a good time to inspect the anode (if your water heater has one) and determine if it is time for a replacement.  Once drained, close the pressure release valve.
3. Remove Water Filters – If your RV is equipped with a water filter, you will need to remove this. Unscrew the filter canister, dispose of the filter and replace the canister.
4. Connect a Compressed Air Fitting to the City Water Inlet – Make sure that all your faucets are closed/turned off. Connect the compressor to the fitting.  Allow the compressor to push the remaining water out of your water heater.  The compressor should be set no higher than 30 PSI.  Once all the water has been removed from the water heater, disconnect the air compressor from the fitting in the city water inlet and put the plug/anode back into the water heater.
5. Bypass the Water Heater – Before adding antifreeze to your water system, if you choose to do so, you will need to bypass the water heater. This saves money by not filling your water heater with several gallons of antifreeze.  The process for bypassing your water heater should be available in your owner’s manual.  **Add illustration on bypassing a water heater??**
6. Clear plumbing lines of all water – Reconnect your air compressor to the to fitting in the city water inlet. Once the system is pressurized, begin turning on all faucets one at a time, hot and cold individually, and allow the compressed air to push the remaining water out of the pipes.  Start in the kitchen and work your way through your RV.  Don’t forget the toilet(s) and any outside showers.  Recheck the water filter canister and dump out any water.
7. Consult your owner’s manual for the proper way to winterize your ice maker or washing machine – It is best to follow specific instructions to make sure those items are properly prepared for winter.
8. Empty Black and Gray Water Holding Tanks – It is important that you do not leave any wastewater in your gray and black holding tanks over the winter months. Not only can the wastewater freeze up, potentially cracking a tank, but it is the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of nasty bacteria.  You might also consider cleaning the black tank with a black tank cleaner or cleaning wand.

If your area is not subject to extremely cold temperatures, you are now finished winterizing.  For some added security, you can pour about a cup of RV specific antifreeze down each drain to fill the P-traps, just remember to wipe away all splashed antifreeze from plastic surfaces like sinks and shower basins as the pink tint in the antifreeze can stain.

On the other hand, if you live in an area that frequently sees temperatures drop below freezing for weeks on end, then we recommend adding an RV specific antifreeze to your plumbing system.  For this next portion of the winterizing process, you will need either an Antifreeze Hand Pump Kit or a permanent Pump Converter Winterizing Kit.

Antifreeze Hand Pump Kit

This kit allows you to manually pump antifreeze directly from the jug through the city water inlet of your RV.

Pump Converter Winterizing Kit

This is a permanent winterizing kit that allows a bypass of the fresh water tank and utilizes the onboard water pump to push antifreeze through the water lines of your RV eliminating the need for a hand pump.

We recommend following steps 1 – 6 listed in The Compressed Air Method before following the steps listed below in The Antifreeze Method.

1. Ensure Water Filters Have Been Removed and Water Heater has been Bypassed – If your RV is equipped with a water filter, you will need to remove this before adding antifreeze. Unscrew the filter canister, dispose of the filter and replace the canister.  Refer to your owner’s manual for the correct way to place the water heater in bypass mode.  This process saves money by not filling your water heater with several gallons of antifreeze.
2. Connect System to Antifreeze – Place the winterizing hose into the bottle of antifreeze making sure the hose reaches all the way to the bottom.
3. Pump Antifreeze Through the Water System – If you have the permanent Pump Converter Winterizing Kit installed on your RV, turn on the water pump. At this point the water pump will begin pulling antifreeze from the jug and through the unit’s water system.  If you have the Antifreeze Hand Pump, attach the hose to the city water inlet and begin hand pumping the antifreeze through the water system.
4. Turn on The Faucets – If you are using the Antifreeze Hand Pump, it is helpful to have two people for this step; one person to pump and another person to operate the faucets. Turn on the faucet closest to the water pump. Turn on the cold water and allow it to run until you start to see pink antifreeze.  Turn off the cold water.  Then turn on the hot water side and do the same.   Once the antifreeze is running out of the faucet with a solid pink color, turn off the faucet.  Repeat this process on all sinks in the RV.
5. Flush the Toilet – Hold the foot pedal down on the toilet until antifreeze runs a solid pink through the bowl.
6. Disconnect the Water System from Antifreeze – Turn off the water pump or remove the hand pump from the city water inlet.
7. Release Any Pressure from the Water Lines – Turn on all faucets in the RV. Leave the faucets on/open.
8. Protect the P-Traps – Pour about 1 cup of antifreeze down each drain to fill the p-trap.
9. Prevent Staining – Be sure to wipe away any residual antifreeze that may have gotten on plastic surfaces as the pink tint can stain.
10. Consult your owner’s manual for the proper way to winterize your ice maker or washing machine – It is best to follow specific instructions to make sure those items are properly prepared for winter.
11. Empty Black and Gray Water Holding Tanks – It is important that you do not leave any wastewater in your gray and black holding tanks over the winter months. Not only can the wastewater freeze up, potentially cracking a tank, but it is the perfect breeding ground for all kinds of nasty bacteria.  You might also consider cleaning the black tank with specialized a black tank cleaner or cleaning wand.

Batteries:

Fully charge the coach and house batteries. In areas that are subject to extremely cold winters, remove the batteries and store them somewhere warm.

Engine:

If you have a motorhome, it is always a good idea to fill it with fuel and add a fuel stabilizer.  Double check all fluid levels in the motor and make sure they are topped off.

Electrical System:

Turn off the main circuit breaker and disconnect from shore power.  You might also consider removing batteries from any clocks or detectors.

Interior:

You won’t want to head into a dirty camper in the spring so consider doing a thorough cleaning of the interior of the RV.  Prop open the refrigerator and freezer doors and place a box of baking soda inside to minimize the chances of that “fridge funk” when the weather warms back up.

Roof:

Make sure all vents are closed and complete a thorough inspection of all seals.

Tires:

Be sure that your tires are properly inflated.  Allowing your RV to sit for months with improperly inflated tires can cause flat spots to develop.  A quick check of the pressure can save you hundreds come spring.

Awning:

Extend the awning and clean it thoroughly. It is best to allow it to dry completely before pulling it back in.  This will help minimize the chance of mildew staining and sour smells come spring.

Once you have completed these steps, the water system in your RV is officially safe from winter’s chill!

If you aren’t the winterizing type, our team here at NW Adventure Rentals would be happy to take care of all your winterizing needs.  Give us a call at (855) 745-9816