How to Winterize Your RV

Winterizing Your RV In 8 Simple Steps

With winter upon us it's a good idea to start thinking about how to winterize your RV for these cold months to come.Winterizing your RV simply means you have taken the necessary steps to protect your camper's plumbing and water system from the potential damage caused by freezing water. Winterization only costs a small amount, but pays off big time in the long run!

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Step 1 Disconnect your outside water source if you happen to be hooked up to an intake Step 2 Bypass your water heater and any under-sink water systems. You don't want the antifreeze getting in these areas. Step 3 Open the petcock, water taps, and flush the toilet to drain any and all water remaining in the system. You want to get everything out of the pipes before you begin. Step 4 After draining as much water as possible, attach a blow out plug be to the water intake fitting and apply air pressure from an air compressor to drain the remaining water. Blowing out the remaining water is not required, but the remaining water will dilute your antifreeze. Close all faucets and petcock when complete. Step 5 You can add antifreeze either from the inside using the water pump conversion kit or from the outside using a hand pump. Check your progress by opening up one faucet at a time, starting from the highest and working to the lowest point in the fresh water system. Begin with the kitchen faucet. Open the HOT side of the faucet only. Pump antifreeze until flow from the faucet becomes pink. This will indicate that all the water has been flushed from your system. Close the faucet. Repeat step on cold side. Continue to the next lower fixture. Usually the bathroom sink, then the shower and finally the toilet. Step 6 We recommend at least 2 pints of antifreeze into all sink & shower drains. The ice maker, washing machine and external shower will also need to be winterized. Look for this information in your appliance manuals. Step 7 Open the drain plug on the water heater and leave it open. Step 8 Last, leave antifreeze in the lines until spring. Do not drain it early or you risk cracking and bursting pipes.

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From the Experts

Michael will walk you through these steps in the video below!

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Other Winterization Tips

Refrigerator Turn the refrigerator off completely, and clean and dry the inside. Prop open door slightly to allow any additional moisture to evaporate. This will help to eliminate odors and any keep any remaining moisture from freezing. Check the condition of the screening material underneath the refrigerator roof vent. If it is in poor condition, ensure that it is replaced. Range Turn off all connections completely.Thoroughly clean inside and out and leave this slightly propped open as well. Electrical systems Disconnect all the batteries you have hooked up, and fully charge them so that there is no room in it for moisture to collect. 120-Volt System Turn off all the breakers at the box and unplug anything that is plugged in.

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Miscellaneous Areas

Roof Clean and cover the roof including the air conditioner and any vents you may have. Windows-Doors Check the seals around all the windows and doors and ensure they are not worn or cracked. If need be, replace them, or find an alternative way to seal the gap. Slide-outs Inspect all the seals to ensure they are not worn or cracked. For the winter, keep all the slides in the retracted position to help keep the cold out of the rig. Tires Make sure your tires are protected by placing the weight of the rig on a jack or leveler. This will help to prolong the life of your tires. Awnings Clean and completely dry your awning before you retract it. Any moisture on it can freeze and cause the awning to crack. Undercarriage Check the underneath for any openings. Make sure to cover them well if you find any. Not only do these openings allow cold air in, but there are a lot of little critters out there looking for a place to hide form the cold as well. You don't want to find an infestation when you roll your RV out in the spring. Printable copy available here 8 Steps to Winterization If you have any questions or concerns about winterizing your trailer feel free to call Lakeshore RV at (877) 743-8010.