Winterizing Your Rv Camper: A Step-By-Step Guide

Winterizing your RV is essential to protect your vehicle from cold weather damage. The process involves removing water from lines, tanks, and other water systems to prevent freezing, which can cause pipes to crack and result in costly repairs. The key is to prepare your RV before temperatures drop below freezing and to take steps like draining tanks, bypassing the water heater, and using RV antifreeze to protect your plumbing. This guide will cover everything you need to know about winterizing your RV and provide a step-by-step process to ensure your vehicle is ready for the cold months ahead.

Drain and flush black and grey water tanks

Draining and flushing your black and grey water tanks is a crucial step in winterizing your RV camper. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it effectively:

Preparation

Before you begin, make sure you have the right equipment. You'll need an RV sewer hose, rubber gloves, and personal protective equipment (PPE) like a mask if you're sensitive to smells. It's also a good idea to have a brick or a heavy rock to secure the hose during the process.

Steps for Draining and Flushing

• Locate a suitable RV dump station with a disposal tank. You can usually find these at campgrounds or specifically designated dump sites.
• Back your RV up to the dump station, ensuring that your sewer hose can comfortably reach the disposal tank with some slack.
• Remove the cap from the outlet port that connects the black and grey water tanks. This is usually located on the right side of the RV.
• Connect the sewer hose to the grey water tank's relief valve. Securely fasten the hose to prevent any leaks.
• Open the relief valve and let the grey water drain into the disposal tank. You can use a brick or rock to weigh down the hose and prevent it from moving around.
• Once the grey water tank is empty, close the relief valve.
• Now, it's time to drain the black water tank. Open the valve slowly at first to relieve the initial pressure and check for any leaks. Once you're sure everything is working as expected, open the valve fully and let the black water drain completely.
• After the black water tank is empty, close its valve as well.
• If your RV has a black water tank flush mechanism, now is the time to use it. Connect your water hose to the flush inlet and open the valve to run water through the black water tank and sewer hose until they are clear.
• Detach your sewer hose from the RV and the dump station, being careful to keep the open end pointed upward to prevent spills.
• Rinse the sewer hose thoroughly with fresh water to remove any remaining waste. You can swirl and shake the hose to ensure a thorough cleaning.
• Finally, disconnect your water hose and store your sewer hose and other equipment securely.

Additional Tips

• It's generally recommended to drain and flush your black and grey water tanks simultaneously since they often share the same outlet.
• Always drain the black water tank first, followed by the grey water tank. This allows you to use the cleaner grey water to rinse out the sewer hose after draining the black water.
• Try to keep your tank valves closed until the tanks are at least three-quarters full. This helps to ensure that liquids assist in flushing solids when you open the valves.
• Use RV-friendly toilet paper to avoid clogs and make the process smoother.
• If you're sensitive to smells, wearing a protective mask is advisable.
• Regularly clean your grey water tank to prevent odours and maintain proper functioning.

Drain the freshwater tank

Draining the freshwater tank is an essential step in winterizing your RV camper. This process will ensure that your pipes do not freeze, expand, and split during the cold winter months. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to effectively drain the freshwater tank:

Step 1: Disconnect the Outside Water Source

Before beginning the drainage process, it is crucial to disconnect your RV from any outside water source. This can be done by locating the water hose connected to your RV and unscrewing it from the city water hookup. Make sure to also turn off the water pump, which is responsible for pushing water through the RV.

Step 2: Drain the Freshwater Tank

The next step is to drain the freshwater tank itself. Locate the low-point drain for the freshwater tank. There should be up to three low-point drains in total: one for cold water lines, one for hot water lines, and one for the freshwater tank. Open the petcocks or valves at these low points to allow water to drain from the pipes. You can also open the water taps at all faucets and flush the toilet to help drain any remaining water from the system.

Step 3: Use a Bendable Straw (Optional)

For a more thorough drainage of the freshwater tank, consider using a bendable straw. Place the straw into the drain hole while water is coming out to create a siphoning effect. This will help drain the water from the bottom of the rounded tank.

Step 4: Close Drains and Valves

Once you are satisfied that the freshwater tank and pipes have been drained, close all the drains and valves that were opened during the process. Ensure that all water taps and faucets are turned off as well.

Step 5: Check for Remaining Water

Even after draining, there may still be some residual water in the system. To address this, you can use compressed air to blow out any remaining water. This step is optional but recommended to ensure that your RV's plumbing system is completely dry.

Step 6: Add RV Antifreeze (Optional)

If you want to take extra precautions, you can add RV antifreeze to your system. This will help protect your pipes and valves from freezing temperatures. Be sure to use RV/marine antifreeze, which is safe for freshwater plumbing. Follow the instructions provided with the antifreeze for proper usage.

Step 7: Store Your RV in a Safe Location

After draining the freshwater tank and completing any additional steps, it's important to store your RV in a safe location for the winter. Choose a paved or concrete surface to prevent the tires from sinking into soft ground during winter thaw. Make sure to set the parking brake, use wheel chocks, and stabilize your RV to prevent any unwanted movement.

By following these steps, you can effectively drain the freshwater tank of your RV camper and ensure that it is prepared for the cold winter months ahead. Remember to always refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions related to your RV model.

Clear water from the lines

Clearing water from the lines is an important step in winterizing your RV. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to do it effectively:

First, it is important to understand why clearing water from the lines is necessary. When water freezes, it expands, and this expansion can cause pipes to crack or burst. Therefore, it is crucial to remove all residual water from your RV's plumbing system to prevent potential damage caused by freezing temperatures.

Now, let's get into the step-by-step process:

• Drain the Water Heater and Tanks: Start by draining the hot water tank. Ensure that the water tank is cool before unscrewing the water tank cap and allowing it to drain. Do the same for any other water-holding tanks in your RV.
• Close the Drains and Attach the Blow-Out Plug: Once all the tanks are drained, close the drain valves. Now, attach an RV blow-out plug to your outdoor water intake valve. This is a simple adapter that screws onto the valve and, when teamed with an air compressor, helps push water out of the RV's lines.
• Turn Off Faucets and Set Air Compressor: Turn off all faucets inside the RV. Set your air compressor to a pressure between 30-40 PSI (pounds per square inch). If you don't have an air compressor, you can use a small electric air pump or even a bike pump, but it will take longer.
• Blow Out the Water Lines: Have a helper go inside the RV and turn on either the hot or cold tap (not both) at the kitchen sink, which is usually the closest to the outdoor plug. Start blowing air through the blow-out valve with the air compressor hose attached until your helper yells that the water has stopped running.
• Repeat for Each Faucet: Once the water has stopped running at the kitchen sink, turn off the tap and move on to the next closest faucet. Repeat the process of turning on the hot or cold tap (not both) and blowing air through the lines until all the water has stopped running. Do this for every faucet, including the toilet flush valve and any outside showers.
• Pour Antifreeze Down the Drains: After blowing out all the water lines, pour a small amount of RV antifreeze down each drain, including the toilet bowl and tank. This will help protect the grey and black water tanks, P-traps, and lines from freezing in case there is still some residual water present.
• Final Steps: Make sure to close all drains and faucets when you're done. Reattach the outside shower hose if you removed it. Your RV's water lines are now clear of water and winterized!

Some additional tips to keep in mind:

• It is recommended to winterize your RV before temperatures dip below freezing for an extended period (more than 24 hours).
• Always use non-toxic RV antifreeze to protect your plumbing.
• If you prefer not to use antifreeze, you can blow out the water lines with compressed air and ensure all tanks are completely empty.
• If you're unsure about the process or don't have the necessary equipment, consider hiring a professional or a mobile service technician to winterize your RV.

Bypass the water heater

Bypassing the water heater is an essential step in winterizing your RV. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to bypass the water heater in your RV camper:

First, you need to locate your RV water heater. It is usually found on the outside of your RV, often behind a large cover, and it has a screen on the upper right-hand side. Open this screen, and you will find the anode, which is typically removed when draining the tank for winterization. Over time, the anode becomes loose, so make sure to replace it if it looks old. You will need a 1- 1/16 socket for the anode rod.

Now, go inside your RV and locate the heater from the inside. You may need to remove a cover to access it. Once you have located the heater, the next step is to turn the bypass valve to the bypass position. This will prevent water and antifreeze from entering the heater tank.

There are three types of RV water heater bypass valves: the three-valve system, the two-valve system, and the one-valve system. For the three-valve system, ensure that the valves on the cold and hot water lines are turned perpendicular to the line. Then, turn the bypass valve so that it is parallel to the line. This will allow antifreeze to pass straight through the line, bypassing the tank.

If you have a two-valve system, turn both valves so that they are parallel to the line. This will open the bypass and connect the cold and hot water plumbing lines. For the one-valve system, simply turn the valve perpendicular to the line to bypass the hot water tank.

After bypassing the water heater, you need to remove the fuse of your heater to prevent it from turning on while the tank is empty. It is important to note that winterizing your RV involves more than just bypassing the water heater. You also need to get antifreeze into the water lines to prevent them from freezing and bursting.

To do this, disconnect the city water supply and empty your entire water system by opening the water heater drain valve, RV black water valve, gray tank valve, and RV freshwater drain valve. Once the system is empty, turn the knobs to bypass your water heater.

Finally, put the winterizing hose of your onboard water pump into a jug of RV antifreeze. Switch the pump to pull from the jug instead of the freshwater tank, and open the tap closest to the pump. Run the pump until you see antifreeze running from the tap. Repeat this process for each tap, making sure to replace the antifreeze jug as needed. Don't forget to run the toilet and outdoor shower, if you have one.

By following these steps, you will successfully bypass your RV water heater and winterize your RV camper, ensuring that your water pipes and lines are protected from freezing temperatures.

Protect the lines with antifreeze

Protecting the plumbing system from freezing is a crucial aspect of winterizing your RV. This process involves flushing and draining the entire plumbing system, including emptying the tanks, opening all faucets, and flushing the toilet until all the water is gone. Once this is done, it's time to fill the water tank with RV antifreeze, also known as "the pink stuff".

RV antifreeze is vital to protect your RV's plumbing lines from freezing temperatures. It has a much lower freezing point than water, preventing the water in your pipes from freezing, expanding, and bursting. The amount of antifreeze needed depends on the size of your RV, but typically, 2-4 gallons should be enough.

To add antifreeze to your plumbing system, you can use a hand pump or a water pump conversion kit. You'll need to turn on your plumbing system and start by turning on the kitchen faucets, followed by the bathroom faucets, shower, toilet, and outdoor shower. You'll know it's done when the pink antifreeze is running through each system. Don't forget to pour some antifreeze into any drains that use water, like your ice maker, dishwasher, and shower.

RV antifreeze is non-toxic and safe for your RV's plumbing system. However, it should not be dumped on the ground, as it can harm plants and animals if consumed. Make sure to properly dispose of it by draining it into a dump station, septic tank, or residential sewer clean-out.

By taking the time to protect your RV's plumbing lines with antifreeze, you'll have peace of mind knowing your RV is ready to withstand the cold winter months.

Frequently asked questions