Winterizing your RV

Before you get started there are a few items you will need to have. These items can be found in most RV stores:

Non-toxic RV antifreeze
Water heater bypass kit, if not already installed.
Wand to clean out holding tanks.
Water pump converter kit, or tubing to connect to the inlet side of the water pump.
Basic hand tools.
Steel wool or Brass wool
Self Leveling Calk
Ladder
Soap

Be sure to read your owner’s manuals for unit specific winterizing guidelines. Follow the steps below that apply to your RV.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE AT A PROPER DUMP STATION

•If you have any inline water filters remove and bypass before starting.

•Drain the fresh water holding tank.

•Drain and flush the gray and black holding tanks. If your RV doesn’t have a built-in tank flushing system clean the black tank out with a wand. Lubricate the termination valves with WD 40.

•Drain the water heater. Remove the drain plug and open the pressure relief valve. CAUTION (never drain the water heater when it is hot or under pressure)

•Open all hot and cold faucets; don’t forget the toilet valve and outside shower.

•Locate and open the low point drain lines. There will be one for the hot and cold-water lines. Using the water pump will help force water out but turn it off as soon as the system is drained.

•Recap all drains and close all faucets.

•Bypass the water heater. If you do not have a bypass kit installed the water heater will fill up with antifreeze before it goes through the water lines, wasting six gallons of antifreeze.

•Install a water pump converter kit or disconnect the inlet side of the water pump (the line coming from the fresh water holding tank). Connect a piece of clear tubing to the inlet side of the pump and put the other end into a one-gallon container of non-toxic RV antifreeze.

•Turn the water pump on and pressurize the system. Starting with the closest faucet, slowly open the hot and cold valves until antifreeze appears. Replace the antifreeze container as required.

•Repeat this process on all faucets from the closest to the farthest away. Don’t forget the outside shower, if equipped.

•Flush the toilet until antifreeze appears.

•Pour a cupful of antifreeze down each drain. Pour a couple of cups in the toilet and flush into the holding tank.

•If your water heater has an electric heating element, make sure it is turned off. This will protect the element if the unit is plugged in while being stored.

•Make sure all the faucets are closed.

•Consult your owner manuals for winterizing icemakers and washing machines.

Now that the water system is taken care of and you have moved the rig back to your storage area, you still have more to do.

Your RV Tires are your next concern and here is why.

Your tires worst enemy is moisture coming out of whatever the RV is parked on. This contributes to the dry rot that everyone attributes to the sun. Don't get me wrong as the sun is a contributor but not nearly as harsh as moisture. You can park on gravel, dirt, concrete, wood, asphalt, and anything else that is porous and retains moisture and dry rot will attack your tires.

Some who have poured concrete slabs to park on have laid down plastic and poured over that but that still does not stop moisture from coming up out of the concrete.

You need a barrier to park each tire on that moisture cannot permeate. Only then can you help stop the dry rot attack. That can be metal like sheet metal flashing used by roofers either aluminum or steel. It can be plastic, like plastic cutting boards and there are even some high dollar plastic shields sold expressly for parking on. Be sure as well that water cannot puddle around your tires wherever you park and store the RV.

Also, make sure all tires are filled to the proper pressure.

Keeping Critters out!

Climb under and around your RV, do you see any holes? If you do, fill them with steel wool or brass wool if you prefer. You do not want mice climbing into those holes.

Now it’s time to get on the roof.

Check all areas of the roof for cracking and aged calking. You do not want any leaks.

Now the rest of the story to Winterizing.

Thoroughly clean your RV's exterior.

Thoroughly clean and scrub your RV's interior. You do not want to leave any traces of food.

Disconnect the Battery.

Lubricate hinges and locks.

One Last issue to talk about, this one is for all Motorhomes.

If you store your rig in a public storage facility outside, you may want to consider doing something to protect your Catalytic converter. We have heard to many stores of Catalytic converters being stolen, from these open areas. For about $160.00 you can save yourself $3000.00 by wrapping the converter in stainless steel wire. The thefts will move on to an easier target.

Be sure to visit your RV during the winter to make sure everything is ok.

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