Fall is the time of year when you have to decide if your camping season is over. Parking your RV for the winter requires a few preventative measures to get it ready for use next spring. You’ll also be glad you did when you don’t have expensive repair bills due to the damaging effects of winter. Now the question is how do you prepare it for the winter and who will do it? If you’re like me and like doing routine maintenance on your RV, not to mention saving a few bucks, the “who” part is answered. As for the “how to” part, this checklist is the same one I used to make our winterizing and storage video. I think it’s the easiest and most effective way to winterize your RV.
Before you begin, there are a few items you’ll need to have. These items can be found at most RV parts stores:
* Non-toxic RV antifreeze (amount depends on design and length of plumbing lines. Typically 2-3 gallons is sufficient.)
* A water heater bypass kit, if not already installed.
* A water pump or pipe converter kit to connect to the inlet side of the water pump.
* Basic hand tools for removing drain plugs.
Now we can winterize the RV’s water system to protect it from freezing. Be sure to read your owner’s manuals for unit-specific winterization guidelines. Follow the steps below that apply to your RV.
* If you have any inline water filters, remove and bypass them before beginning.
* Drain the fresh water holding tank.
* Drain and rinse the gray and black holding tanks. Clean the black tank with a wand. Lubricate termination valves.
* Drain the water heater. CAUTION: Never drain when hot or under pressure.
* Open all hot and cold water faucets; don’t forget the toilet valve and outside shower.
* Locate and open low point drain lines. Using the water pump will help expel the water, but turn it off as soon as the system is drained.
* Re-plug all drains and turn off all faucets.
* Water heater bypass. If you don’t have a bypass kit installed, the water heater will fill with antifreeze before going through the water lines, wasting six gallons of antifreeze.
* Install a water pump converter kit or disconnect the inlet side of the pump (the line coming from the fresh water holding tank) and connect the pump tubing to a gallon of RV antifreeze.
* Turn on the water pump and pressurize the system. Starting with the nearest faucet, slowly open the hot water valves and then the cold water valves until antifreeze appears. Replace the antifreeze jug as necessary.
* Repeat on all faucets from closest to furthest. Don’t forget the outside shower.
* Flush the toilet until antifreeze appears.
* Turn off the water pump and open a faucet to release the pressure. Go to the city water inlet.
* Remove the small screen over the inlet and push the valve in with a small screwdriver until you see antifreeze. Replace screen.
* For a full cup of antifreeze in each drain. For a few cups in the toilet and flush into the holding tank.
* If your water heater has an electric heating element, turn it off. This will protect the item if the unit is plugged in while in storage.
* Make sure all taps are turned off.
*Refer to owner’s manuals for winterizing ice machines and washers.
Your RV is winterized
This checklist is a basic guide to help you winterize your RV. As with many other checklists, it would be impossible to cover all RVs. It is extremely important that you read your owner’s manuals for unit-specific winterization guidelines.
Happy camping!
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Copyright 2006 by Mark J. Polk, owner of RV Education 101
