If you haven’t gotten around to winterizing your RV, now is a perfect time! Sure, RV winterization adds another item to your already lengthy to-do list, but what’s at stake if you don’t set that time aside?
The condition of your investment, that’s what!
- Failing to drain pipes and adding antifreeze can cause them to eventually burst.
- Freezing leads to burst pipes, which can also lead to damaged water tanks.
- If you fail to seal up your RV, inclement winter weather can make its way in and wreak havoc on your interior.
- Damages can spiral out of control quickly, and prices for some of these repairs can rack up fast, putting you out of more cash and delaying getting back on the road once things are thawed and repaired.
And that’s just the beginning of what can go south if you don’t carefully consider RV winterization ASAP. And that’s without even mentioning your comfort in these cold months if you planned on making it your home on the road to Grandma’s.
So instead of rolling the dice on your investment and risking its early retirement, take a look at this checklist instead to make sure you don’t skip anything important.
- Remove and bypass water filters. Any winterizing chemicals that you might add could damage filters.
- Drain your gray and black water holding tanks and water lines. Don’t leave any water sitting in your RV over the winter.
- Lubricate the termination valves with WD 40.
- Drain your water heater by removing the drain plug and opening the pressure relief valve. Be sure that the heater is not hot or under pressure first!
- Open all water faucets.
- Locate and open low point drain lines. When the system is drained, recap all drains and close all faucets.
- Bypass your water heater before adding winterizing chemicals to the water lines.
- Add antifreeze.
- Turn the water pump on and pressurize the system.
- Then, starting with the closest faucet, slowly open the hot and cold valves until antifreeze appears. Repeat this process on all faucets, starting with the closest and ending with the furthest.
- Flush the toilet until antifreeze appears.
- Turn the water pump back off and open a faucet to release the pressure. Then, go outside to the city water inlet, remove the small screen over the inlet, and push in on the valve with a small screwdriver until you see antifreeze. Replace the screen.
- Pour a cupful of antifreeze down each drain, a couple of cupfuls into the toilet, and flush into the holding tank.
- If your water heater has an electric heating element, make sure that you turn it off. This will protect the element if the unit is plugged in while being stored.
- Close all faucets.
- Disconnect electronics throughout the RV.
- Cover all outlets and openings.
- Double-check that all doors and windows are sealed tight.
- Scan your entire RV for leaks.
- Park, stabilize, and properly store your RV under adequate cover.
- Bring your RV to Pharr RVs for help with the winterizing process.
Now your RV is winterized! This basic checklist is a good start to RV winterization but should never replace your particular RV model’s official manual. There, you’ll find detailed information on each and every specific step that you need to take to make sure it is as protected as possible.
And if you need an extra hand getting your memory-maker in winter shape, click the button below to schedule a service appointment.
Happy camping and happy holidays!
