Why Is It Important to Winterize Your RV’s Plumbing System?

Winterizing your RV is essential to protect it from freezing temperatures during the winter months. Without proper winterization, the water system in your RV could freeze, causing costly damage to pipes, the water heater, and other components.  In most parts of the country, freezing temperatures are a reality, but tanks and water heaters are expensive components that should be protected.

Items You’ll Need to Successfully Winterize Your RV

Before you begin the winterization process, gather the necessary items. You’ll need RV antifreeze, a water pump bypass kit, a water heater bypass kit, a wrench, and a few gallons of antifreeze. You may also need an air compressor depending on your RV’s water system and potentially a water pump converter kit and a cleaning wand.

Cost for Winterizing a Camper

The cost of winterizing a camper can vary depending on whether you do it yourself or hire a professional. Doing it yourself can save money, as the only major expense is the antifreeze and any necessary bypass kits.

Steps To Winterize Your RV

Successfully winterizing your vehicle  involves a series of steps to prepare the plumbing system for cold temperatures. Follow these steps to protect your RV during the winter months.  Frozen water from last winter can certainly cause a costly visit to rv repair facilities. By properly preparing your rv for winter storage you can keep our rv ready to hit the road after a winter long freezing season.

STEP 1: REMOVE OR BYPASS WATER FILTERS

Begin the winterization process by removing any inline water filters from the system. Bypass the filters to prevent antifreeze from entering them.  Additionally, when the new season rolls aroung, this would be a great time to see if you need to replace the water filter.

STEP 2: DRAIN THE TANKS

Next, drain all of tanks in the RV, including the fresh water and black and gray water tanks.  The black water tank is sewer and you should flush the system thoroughly using water pressure from the city water inlet. Don’t be afraid to use gallons of water.  RV winterizing also requires that grey water be completely empty before you store your RV properly. In short, if it is a water holding tank, it should be completely empty.  Leaving the black tank un emptied will be something that will cause regret when taking it out of winter storage. After cleaning the tanks, you can turn off your water.

STEP 3: DRAIN WATER HEATER AND LINES

Drain the water heater and all water lines to remove any remaining water from the system.  Your RV should have low point water drain lines.  Simply opening these low-point drains will not keep your RV from freezing.  RV owners should let the water run out and open the kitchen sink and any bathroom sink and make sure to open hot and cold valve.  Don’t for get that many rigs have an outside shower outside of the rv or underneath the rv.  Also remember to fully winterize, one must not forget washing machines, ice makers

STEP 4: BYPASS THE WATER HEATER

An important item to remember is to bypass your water heater. Install a water heater bypass kit to prevent water from entering the tank during the winterization process. Every RV does not have a water heater tank, some are on demand systems that are called tankless because they do not use  a hot water tank.  In either case, both should be winterized.   One should open the pressure relief valve to keep water from freezing inside the unit.  This is also a way to protect the water heater’s heating element.  Finally, make sure that the P-traps are clear.  Use an air compressor to double-check that the water is not standing in the sink p-traps. Compressed air will make sure the water (city water included) out of the system so that it cannot freeze.

STEP 5: ADD ANTIFREEZE

Add RV antifreeze to the water system using the water pump. Open each faucet, including the hot and cold water taps, until the antifreeze comes through.  When the process is complete, you should see antifreeze. Once the antifreeze appears and all of the air is out of the lines, you can close the faucet and turn the water pump off.

Get Help With RV Winterizing If You Need It

If you’re unsure about the step-by-step process for winterization, consider seeking help from a professional to ensure your RV is properly protected from freezing temperatures.

Why RV Winterization of Your Camper, Travel Trailer, or RV Is Important

Properly winterizing your RV is crucial for preventing costly damage from freezing temperatures.  Keep in mind that the procedures to winterize a travel trailer may differ from a motorhome.  You should consult your owner’s manual for additional information. By following the steps outlined above, you can effectively protect your RV’s plumbing system and avoid potential issues during the winter months. Why winterizing your camper, travel trailer, or RV is important