
The best time to winterize your camper is when temperatures are forecast to be below freezing for a full night, or 12 hours or more. If you're nervous about the cold, you can blow out the water lines and don't push in anti-freeze. However, if you're going to be camping in sub-zero temperatures, it's best to add anti-freeze to your water system to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Temperature | When it goes below freezing |
Time of year | Towards the end of fall |
Weather | When there's a chance of frost |
Water systems | When you want to protect them from freezing |
Storage | When you're putting your camper away for winter |
Travelling | When you're travelling through cold climates |
What You'll Learn
When temperatures are below freezing
- Monitor temperatures closely using a weather app that provides hourly details. This way, you can know exactly when temperatures are expected to dip below freezing.
- Drain all water from your camper, including water lines, holding tanks, and the water heater. Make sure to empty both the black and grey water holding tanks, which hold wastewater from the shower, kitchen sink, toilet, and bathroom sink.
- Blow out your water lines using an air compressor and a blow-out plug. This will help remove any remaining water in the lines.
- Add antifreeze to your water system. Use RV pink antifreeze and follow the instructions on your camper's manual for proper usage.
- Pour antifreeze into the drains, including sink, shower, and toilet drains, to prevent the exterior termination pipes from freezing.
- Winterize other parts of your camper, such as the interior, exterior, and chassis. Remove propane and electrical systems, batteries, electronics, and food items. Clean and vacuum the interior, and cover tires and awnings if storing outdoors.
Remember that every camper is different, so always refer to your owner's manual for specific instructions on winterizing your camper when temperatures are below freezing.
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When storing your camper for winter
Timing:
Start the process before the first freeze of the season. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and don't wait until the last minute. Use a weather app that provides hourly details so you know when temperatures are expected to dip below freezing. Even a short period of freezing temperatures can cause damage, so it's best to be prepared.
Drain the Water System:
Empty all water tanks, including the freshwater holding tank, and the black and grey water tanks. Locate and open the low-point drain plugs to ensure all water is drained from the system. You can use the RV's 12V water pump to force the water out completely, but remember to turn it off as soon as the water is drained to avoid damage.
Bypass the Water Heater:
Turn off the water heater and let it cool down before draining. Locate the pressure relief valve and open it to release any remaining pressure. Place a bucket underneath to collect the water, then slowly unscrew the drain plug. Once drained, close all drains and faucets. Bypass the water heater to avoid wasting antifreeze and to make the dewinterizing process easier.
Add Antifreeze:
Purchase RV-safe antifreeze, which is non-toxic and won't harm your plumbing. You can either install a water pump conversion kit or use the inlet side of the water pump. Follow the instructions provided with the kit. Start with the closest faucet and slowly open the hot and cold faucets until you see antifreeze coming out. Repeat this process for all faucets, working from the closest to the farthest. Don't forget to add antifreeze to the outdoor shower, toilet, and drain lines as well.
Final Steps:
Open a faucet to release pressure in the system. Go to the city water inlet valve, remove the small screen, and push on the valve with a screwdriver until antifreeze comes out. Replace the screen and close the inlet. Double-check that the water heater is switched off, and all faucets are closed.
Additionally, you can refer to your owner's manual for further instructions specific to your camper model. Some additional steps to prepare your camper for winter storage include vacuuming to remove crumbs and deter mice, checking seals and caulk, using wheel chocks to stabilize, and covering tires if stored outside.
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When travelling through cold climates
- Monitor the weather: Keep a close eye on the weather forecast, especially when travelling through areas with freezing temperatures. Use a weather app that provides hourly details so you can anticipate any sudden drops in temperature.
- Drain and blow out water lines: Before embarking on your trip, ensure that all water lines are drained and blown out using an air compressor and a blow-out plug. This will help prevent water from freezing and causing damage.
- Add antifreeze: Use RV-safe antifreeze to protect your water systems from freezing. Replace the water in your supply lines with antifreeze, following the manufacturer's instructions for the exact amount required. Don't forget to add antifreeze to less insulated areas, such as the outside RV shower.
- Protect your batteries: If you're travelling to extremely cold areas, consider removing the batteries and storing them in a warm, dry place to extend their life and maintain their charge.
- Insulate your RV: Boost your RV's insulation to retain heat and protect against freezing temperatures. Use Reflectix or similar materials to add insulation to windows and baggage compartments.
- Use an electric heater: Consider using an electric heater to keep your RV warm. However, be mindful of power consumption, especially if you're not hooked up to shore power.
- Plan for snow: Heavy snowfall can strain your RV's roof. Ensure your roof is in good condition and prepared for snow loads.
- Be cautious with water: Avoid introducing water back into your system if the temperature drops below freezing. Use bottled water for cooking and cleaning, and consider using paper plates to avoid dishwashing.
- Winterize your black water system: When using the toilet, flush with concentrated antifreeze instead of water to prevent freezing in the holding tank.
- Be mindful of daytime temperatures: If daytime temperatures rise above freezing, residual heat can help prevent your plumbing from freezing overnight. However, if daytime temperatures remain below freezing, it's best to winterize your RV.
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When there's a chance of snow
If you're in an area where there's a chance of snow, it's time to winterize your camper. Even a little bit of water left in your system could freeze, expand, and damage your RV. Winterizing your camper will save you from paying high repair costs and help keep your RV out of the shop once spring rolls back around.
Step 1: Remove or Bypass Water Filters
First, remove or bypass any inline water filters since antifreeze can damage them. Remember: most RV insurance policies do not cover damage from frozen water, since it’s avoidable. While working on the filters, check to see if they need replacement. If they do need replacing, you have all winter to find new filters at the best price.
To find these filters, consult your owner’s manual. They are in different places in different RVs: under the kitchen sink, in a kitchen cabinet, in the wet bay, at the spigot, at the convenience center, in a rear storage area, and even near the control panel.
Step 2: Drain the Tanks
Drain the freshwater holding tank. This tank is accessible below your RV near an exterior wall and is usually centrally located so that it can deliver water to sinks and showers. Simply find the valve and open it. This water is potable and it’s okay if it drains onto the ground, though if you are in an RV park your neighbors may not appreciate it.
Next, locate and drain the black and gray water tanks. These tanks are usually near an exterior wall underneath your RV's bathroom. The drain valves should be easy to locate from there.
Letting wastewater sit increases the risk of water freezing and lets potential harmful bacteria grow unimpeded. The tanks for black and gray water should only be drained at an approved dumping facility. Be sure your drain hose is properly attached at both ends before you start draining.
Drain the black water tank first. If your RV does not have its own tank-flushing system, use a cleaning wand to flush the black water tank. Once you’re finished, it helps to lubricate the termination valves with WD-40 for future use.
Step 3: Drain Water Heater and Lines
The water heater should not be hot or under pressure when it is drained, so turn the water heater off and let it cool. There may be multiple places to turn off your water heater. It’s best to turn them all off. One power switch is on the water heater itself, accessible from the outside of the RV. The other is on or near the control panel in your RV.
Next, shut off the water that is going into the water heater. There is usually a valve within a foot or two of where the pipe or hose enters the water heater.
At this point, you can open the pressure relief valve. Wait until the water stops running from the valve before moving on, and leave the valve open.
Now, get a bucket. The bucket is important. Because it’s time to drain the water heater.
Before draining, some experts recommend turning on a faucet or two so that “hot” water is flowing out of it—this reduces the pressure within the water heater tank. Slowly unscrew the drain plug to begin draining the unit. Use a bucket to catch the first few gallons of water that come out. Fully remove the plug to allow the water heater to drain completely.
While it’s draining, check the water in the bucket for rust, sediment, or scaling. If you see these things, you might want to flush your water heater again, replace your anode rod, or start saving for a new water heater.
If your water heater is draining slowly, removing the anode rod speeds up the process. Often the anode rod is attached to the drain plug, so it gets removed either way, but if it isn’t, locate it, remove it and check it for scaling or corrosion. If the anode rod appears heavily corroded, it’s time to replace it. The anode rod is a sacrificial rod that corrodes before the interior of the water heater does. If the rod is damaged, your water heater will soon start corroding, which is irreversible.
Now, drain your RV’s water lines. Open all faucets and locate and open the low-point drain plugs on the system. Flush the toilet to remove water in the tank. If you’ve got an outdoor shower, make sure to drain it as well.
Some people use the RV’s 12V water pump to force the water out completely. If you’re using the pump, be sure to turn it off as soon as soon as the water is out to keep the unit from getting damaged.
Once the water is drained, recap all drains and close all faucets.
Step 4: Bypass the Water Heater
You’re about to add antifreeze to your plumbing system, but filling your water heater would waste antifreeze. It also makes the dewinterizing process more difficult if the hot water tank isn’t bypassed.
Many RVs come with a bypass installed, but if yours doesn’t have one, visit an RV repair facility to have one installed.
Step 5: Add Antifreeze
You’re ready to pump the antifreeze into your system, which will protect your plumbing when the thermometer dips below freezing. There are two ways to do this:
- Install a water pump conversion kit
- Use the inlet side of the water pump
Water pump conversion kits will come with instructions on how to use them. If using the inlet side of the water pump, disconnect the line coming from the freshwater tank and attach tubing that connects to the inlet. Put the other end of the tubing into a container of non-toxic marine/RV antifreeze. Then turn on the pump, which will pressurize the plumbing system.
Starting with the closest faucet to the pump, slowly open the hot and cold faucets until antifreeze comes out. Once you see antifreeze, close the faucet. Do this to all faucets, working from the closest faucets to the pump to the farthest. As you pump antifreeze through the water lines, you may need to replace the antifreeze container. Don’t forget the outdoor shower.
Flush the toilet until antifreeze appears in the bowl. Introduce antifreeze into the drain lines and holding tank, so pour a cup of antifreeze in each drain and into the toilet bowl. Flush the toilet.
Turn the water pump off. Now open a faucet to release the pressure in the system. Go to the city water inlet valve. Remove the small screen and push on the valve with a screwdriver until antifreeze comes out. You may want to see also Frost is a sure sign that it's time to winterize your camper. Even a little bit of water left in your system could freeze, expand, and damage your RV. When there's a frost, follow these steps to winterize your camper: Step 1: Remove or Bypass Water Filters First, remove or bypass any inline water filters since antifreeze can damage them. Remember to check if they need replacing while you're at it. You can find these filters in different places in different RVs, such as under the kitchen sink, in a kitchen cabinet, or in the wet bay. Consult your owner's manual if you need help finding them. Step 2: Drain the Tanks Start by draining the freshwater holding tank, which is usually located near an exterior wall and is centrally located to deliver water to sinks and showers. Then, locate and drain the black and grey water tanks, usually found near an exterior wall underneath your RV's bathroom. Be sure to drain these tanks at an approved dumping facility. Step 3: Drain Water Heater and Lines Turn off and drain the water heater. There may be multiple places to turn it off, including on the water heater itself and on or near the control panel in your RV. Shut off the water going into the water heater and open the pressure relief valve. Get a bucket to catch the first few gallons of water that come out, then slowly unscrew the drain plug. Next, open all faucets and locate and open the low-point drain plugs to drain the water lines. Flush the toilet to remove water from the tank. If you have an outdoor shower, be sure to drain it as well. Step 4: Bypass the Water Heater As you're about to add antifreeze to your system, you'll want to bypass the water heater to avoid wasting antifreeze and making the dewinterizing process more difficult. Many RVs come with a bypass installed, but if yours doesn't, you'll need to get one installed. Step 5: Add Antifreeze You can add antifreeze to your system in two ways: by installing a water pump conversion kit or using the inlet side of the water pump. If using the inlet side, disconnect the line coming from the freshwater tank and attach tubing that connects to the inlet, then put the other end into a container of non-toxic marine/RV antifreeze. Turn on the pump to pressurize the system, then open the faucets, starting with the closest to the pump, until antifreeze comes out. Don't forget the outdoor shower, toilet, and drain lines! Step 6: The Batteries If your RV will be sitting in the cold for several months, remove the battery and bring it indoors to extend its life and help it retain its charge. Store it in a warm, dry place with something underneath it in case of leaks. Now your RV is ready to withstand the frost! You may want to see also When temperatures are expected to be below freezing for a full night (12 hours or more). Water in the pipes can freeze, expand, and damage your camper. The process of winterizing your camper involves removing water from the water lines, tanks, water heater, and other water systems. You can do this by blowing out the lines or adding antifreeze. Yes, you can still use your camper after it's been winterized. However, you won't be able to use any of the built-in water systems unless you dewinterize first.Filling Camper Water: MI State Park Options
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