How to Winterize Your RV – NW Adventure Rentals
How to Winterize Your RV – NW Adventure Rentals Why and How to Winterize Your RV Winter is coming and not only does it bring cozy hearth-fires and exciting outdoor activities, it can bring frigid temperatures and harsh weather. Before the snow flies, you’ll want to make sure that your RV is safely stored and tucked in for the cold months ahead. Winterizing is of the utmost importance for the longevity of your rig and, when done properly, can save you a ton of money in costly repairs. Depending on what the winter season is like in your area, there are generally two procedures to winterizing that will ensure you won’t have cracked pipes and leaks when the weather warms in the spring. #1 The Compressed Air Method, which uses an air compressor to remove all water from the pipes in your RV. #2 The Antifreeze Method, which uses a pump to fill the water lines in your RV with a special, non-toxic, RV specific antifreeze. Here, we will go through the process of winterizing your RV step by step, so that you can do this service yourself. However, if the process seems too overwhelming or you do not have the ability to complete these steps on your own, we have highly trained service technicians that are happy to take care of all your winterizing needs for you. Please keep in mind that every RV is different, some units may have additional items that are harder to winterize. Not every situation is covered in this DIY guide, but it does provide all the basic knowledge you will need to be successful. The Compressed Air Method If your area is not subject to extremely cold temperatures, you are now finished winterizing. For some added security, you can pour about a cup of RV specific antifreeze down each drain to fill the P-traps, just remember to wipe away all splashed antifreeze from plastic surfaces like sinks and shower basins as the pink tint in the antifreeze can stain. On the other hand, if you live in an area that frequently sees temperatures drop below freezing for weeks on end, then we recommend adding an RV specific antifreeze to your plumbing system. For this next portion of the winterizing process, you will need either an Antifreeze Hand Pump Kit or a permanent Pump Converter Winterizing Kit. Antifreeze Hand Pump Kit This kit allows you to manually pump antifreeze directly from the jug through the city water inlet of your RV. Pump Converter Winterizing Kit This is a permanent winterizing kit that allows a bypass of the fresh water tank and utilizes the onboard water pump to push antifreeze through the water lines of your RV eliminating the need for a hand pump. We recommend following steps 1 – 6 listed in The Compressed Air Method before following the steps listed below in The Antifreeze Method. Antifreeze Method Additional things to consider while preparing your RV for winter storage Batteries: Fully charge the coach and house batteries. In areas that are subject to extremely cold winters, remove the batteries and store them somewhere warm. Engine: If you have a motorhome, it is always a good idea to fill it with fuel and add a fuel stabilizer. Double check all fluid levels in the motor and make sure they are topped off. Electrical System: Turn off the main circuit breaker and disconnect from shore power. You might also consider removing batteries from any clocks or detectors. Interior: You won’t want to head into a dirty camper in the spring so consider doing a thorough cleaning of the interior of the RV. Prop open the refrigerator and freezer doors and place a box of baking soda inside to minimize the chances of that “fridge funk” when the weather warms back up. Roof: Make sure all vents are closed and complete a thorough inspection of all seals. Tires: Be sure that your tires are properly inflated. Allowing your RV to sit for months with improperly inflated tires can cause flat spots to develop. A quick check of the pressure can save you hundreds come spring. Awning: Extend the awning and clean it thoroughly. It is best to allow it to dry completely before pulling it back in. This will help minimize the chance of mildew staining and sour smells come spring. Once you have completed these steps, the water system in your RV is officially safe from winter’s chill! If you aren’t the winterizing type, our team here at NW Adventure Rentals would be happy to take care of all your winterizing needs. Give us a call at (855) 745-9816
