Winterize Your RV or Camper

With the approaching change in weather, a brush up on winterizing is in need. There are different ways to winterize each RV, and each RV has a different plumbing system so the following guidelines will be basic in nature. First you will need the following supplies.

1. Antifreeze (2 gallons will do most RVS/ Campers but if you have an icemaker or a clothes washer you will want more available).
2. City water Blowout Plug (and air compressor).
3. Tools including Anode Rod Wrench, crescent wrench, and flashlight.
4. Water pump adapter kit.

Firstly you want to drain the fresh water tank and your holding tanks. Most fresh water tanks have an external white valve on the side of the camper or just underneath the fresh water tank. Each RV floorplan has the fresh water tank in a different location and you will need to find it. Some rv’s have sneaky little low point drains in addition to your fresh water drain and you will need to locate them also. The easiest way is to locate any drain lines that hang out the bottom of your camper and trace those lines to the interior of the coach. Usually they are located underneath a cabinet or cupboard. Your holding tanks should be drained at appropriate dump stations and the valves should be closed afterward.

Next you will want to open and drain the water heater. There are 2 types of water heaters, those with Anode Rods and those without. Water heaters with anode rods will need to have them removed and set aside for use in the spring. Use your anode rod wrench or appropriate tools as they are very tight. Water heaters without anode rods will either have a plastic/metal drain plug that can be removed or a drain plug that has a petcock that can be opened to allow draining. Allow the water heater to drain thoroughly. Next us a nozzle adapter on the air compressor to blow out any remaining water in the water heater.

Next the water heater will need to be bypassed. The reason for this is that antifreeze can discolor and ruin your water heater tank, and, you will have very stinky hot water for many seasons to come. Water heater bypass is a series of valves on the back of the water heater that allows routing of the cold water to bypass the water heater, thus preventing antifreeze from entering the water heater tank. Usually the valve position is indicated by whether the valve handle is in-line with the water line or it is across the water line indicating the valve is closed. Each manufacturer uses different valves so ensure you learn the system properly. Close the valves so that water cannot enter the tank and open the center bypass valve.

You should now check for filters in your water system. Most common filters are completer water system filters, ice-maker filters, and washer/dryer filters. Ensure all filters are removed and stored for future use.

The best way to winterize your camper or rv is to use a blowout plug and an air compressor to blow all the water out of the lines before antifreeze is pumped in. Simply put the blowout plug on the City-Water hookup on the outside of the camper. Next adjust to air pressure to 40lbs of pressure or less. Before continuing make sure that every faucet in the camper (whether inside or outside) is closed as to allow pressure to build. With the air pressure applied go to each faucet and open one of them, allowing the water to be blown out until there is nothing but air coming out. Then open the other handle and repeat. Do this for EACH of the faucets on the rv including the kitchen, shower, bathroom, and outside shower. Next you will want to open the toilet drain to allow all the water to be blown out of it’s water lines. Once complete, go around to each single faucet and repeat this to ensure no residual water backed up into the lines. Usually 3-4 cups of antifreeze will do the trick.

If you do not have access to an air compressor and blowout plug, you must drain all the faucets, water tank, and low point drains at the same time completely.

Now you must hook up the water pump winterizing kit and begin the process of pumping antifreeze into your water lines. The kit installs on the intake side of the water pump and the open end of the tube is inserted into a gallon of antifreeze. With all of your faucets closed turn on the water pump. The, one by one, go to each faucet and open the handles to allow the water pump to circulate antifreeze through the lines until you see only pink liquid (there are other colors) coming out. Every faucet from the kitchen, bathrooms, shower, outside shower, and toilet goes through this process. Next dump a small amount of antifreeze into each sink or shower trap to ensure it replaces the standing water in them.

If you have questions or are in need of supplies please contact us for assistance.