Winterizing an RV
Here at The Outpost RV we want to make sure that you have a satisfying RV ownership experience. Nothing is more frustrating than pulling your RV out of storage only to find that you've got damage from a winter of freezing weather, that's why we've got this quick overview that will run you through the basics of winterizing an RV. Whether you're in a Class A Motorhome or a compact camper, we're here to help at The Outpost RV in Middlebury. We're proud to serve the communities of Goshen, Elkhart, South Bend, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Draining the Tanks
The first thing you're going to do to winterize your RV is drain all of the holding tanks. Your fresh water tank should come first. Empty your black water tank and then your gray water tank at an approved septic dump site. If you have a black tank flush, take advantage of it, otherwise you'll need to rinse your black tank out with a black tank wand hose attachment to ensure you're putting away your RV clean. The one 'holding tank' you might forget about is your water heater. Make sure your water heater is completely shut off, and not hot and/or under pressure before you drain the tank. To drain the water heater you'll need to open the pressure relief valve at the top of the tank, and then pull the drain plug. When the water heater is empty close the valve and replace the plug.
Draining your Pipes
Go into your RV and open all of the faucets and valves, including the shower (and outside shower if you have one). Nex, find the low point drain, and remove the plug to allow the water to flow out. Turn on your water pump for a minute to flush out any stubborn water remaining in the pipes. Shut off the pump, close your faucets, and re-plug the low point drain.
Bypass Water Heater
Your water heater needs to be bypassed. If you own an newer motorhome, this may be as simple as turning one or two valves. Older motorhomes may require you to install a water heater bypass kit. Our service department can also help you with this. The reason you want to bypass your water heater is mostly a matter of time and money. Without a bypass, you'll have to fill your entire water heater with antifreeze before it can move into the rest of your hot water lines, which means you'll have to buy about six extra gallons of antifreeze, and wait while your water pump fills the water heater. It's much easier just to install the bypass once and not have to worry about it.
The Main Event (Winterizing your Pipes)
Your holding tanks are pretty much emptied out, your pipes have had most of the water flushed, and your water heater is bypassed, now it's time to get antifreeze in the plumbing. Hook up your water pump to the gallon jug of red RV antifreeze (safe for potable water systems) and turn on your water pump to pressurize the system. Find the faucet closest to the water pump and open the cold water valve. Wait until the water running out of the faucet changes to pink antifreeze, then switch to the opposite (hot water) valve. When you see antifreeze coming through the faucet again, you can close the valve and move onto the next faucet. Repeat this process throughout the RV (again, don't forget your shower or outside shower if you have one). You'll want to keep an eye on the jug of antifreeze and switch it out when it's getting empty, you may have to do this several times depending on the size of your RV. When all of the faucets have been winterized, flush the toilet(s) until you see antifreeze flowing there. At this time you can turn off the water pump. Using your remaining antifreeze, pour a cup down each drain, and flush one cup down the toilet. Make sure to open one valve when you're done to release any pressure remaining in the water lines.
Final Touches
If you're in a small RV without any fancy appliances, you're probably all done at this point, but if you have any appliances that use water, such as a washing machine or ice maker, you'll want to consult the owner's manual of each appliance for specific winterization instructions.
With your RV properly winterized, you'll be able to avoid hassle, headache, and expensive repairs come spring! We hope you've found this guide helpful, but remember if you need more advice, parts, or service for your RV, we're here to help at The Outpost RV in Middlebury Indiana, proudly serving the communities of Goshen, South Bend, Elkhart, and Fort Wayne, Indiana.