The following are some guidelines you can use when winterizing and/or storing your RV. The steps for winterizing are pretty standard for most RVs and should be done in the order listed. For storing, the steps can be done in pretty much any order you're comfortable with, along with adding items to the list as needed. The guidelines also assume you have some knowledge about RVs in general, and your RV in particular (such as, knowing where your inlet lines for the fresh water tank are located).
Winterizing Your RV
- Drain and flush fresh water tank
- Drain and flush gray water holding tank
- Drain and flush black water holding tank
- Drain and flush hot water tank
- If you have low-point drain lines under your RV:
- Open the hot and cold faucets in your RV
- Uncap the low-point drain lines; let water drain completely
- Recap Drain Lines
- Close the hot and cold faucets
- Blow out the water lines:
(Note: If you have low-point drain lines, this may not be necessary)
- Screw on compressed air adapter onto main fresh water inlet
- Apply compressed air, keeping pressure to less than 20 psi
- Open each faucet, one at a time, to force water out of lines
- Make sure to open each faucet in the RV, including the shower and toilet
- Open hot water drain plug and blow out the water in this tank
- Remove compressed air and compressed air adapter
- Replace drain plug in hot water heater and close all faucets
- Put Antifreeze in the water lines:
- Use RV Non-Toxic Antifreeze ONLY
- Approximately 1-2 gallons should be plenty
- Make sure water pump is off and all faucets are closed
- Close the Water Bypass Valve to your hot water tank
NOTE: If you don't have a Water Bypass Valve for your hot water tank, seriously consider having one installed. Otherwise, in addition to the water lines you will end up filling the hot water tank with antifreeze. It's not harmful, but you'll use an additional six gallons of antifreeze.
- Disconnect the water line where it joins the fresh water tank
- or -
If your RV is so equipped, shut off the valve coming from the fresh water tank and open the valve for the winterizing inlet line
- Place the water inlet line (either from the main system or the winterizing line) into the jug or other source container with the RV antifreeze.
- Switch on the water pump; it will start to suck up the antifreeze into the lines
- Open each valve of each faucet slowly, one at a time, until the red antifreeze starts coming out. Once flowing, shut off the faucet valve.
Note: If for some reason you can't drain the water lines using the low-point drain lines and you can't blow out the lines with compressed air, you will have to wait until the antifreeze pushes out the fresh water in the lines before closing the valve. A rule of thumb; don't shut off the valve until the antifreeze starts coming out.
- Remember to also do this for the toilet and the shower.
- Shut off the water pump
- Remove the inlet line from the antifreeze, then either:
Re-attach the water line to the fresh water tank
- or -
Close the winterizing inlet valve and reopen the fresh water valve, if your RV is so equipped.
- Pour a small amount of antifreeze down each drain to ensure that the sink traps have antifreeze in them.
- Pour a small amount of antifreeze in the toilet bowl also. Note: Don't flush it into the holding tank.
- You Are Done !
Storing Your RV
The following items are useful when you will be storing your RV for any extended period of time, not just for the winter.
- For motorhomes, fill up the gas tank. This will prevent moisture buildup in the tank. Also make sure all your fluid levels under the hood are full.
- Drain and flush all holding tanks; fresh water, gray water, black water and hot water tanks.
- Drain all water lines, using compressed air or at least the low-point drain lines.
Note: If storing for the winter, follow the winterizing steps above
- Close the LP gas tank valve(s). If your LP tanks don't already have a cover, consider purchasing at least a vinyl LP tank cover.
- Disconnect shore electric power to the RV.
- Remove all batteries from the RV and store in a place where they won't freeze. Batteries that have been frozen will never again hold a proper charge, and will more than likely have to be replaced.
- Visually check your RV for anything that might need to be repaired. Make sure you also check the roof.
- Defrost and clean the refrigerator and freezer. Place open boxes of baking soda or crumpled newspapers in the compartments to eliminate odors during storage.
- Remove all perishable items from the interior. Include in this any items that are susceptible to freezing, if storing during the winter months.
- Cover all external outlets, such as furnace outlet, to prevent critters from entering.
- Thoroughly wash the interior and the exterior of your RV. You might also consider shampooing the carpets inside and waxing the outside.
- Close all windows; leave the roof vent(s) open ever so slightly for air circulation during storage.
- Cover the tires to prevent weather-checking.
- Cover the roof air conditioner
- Consider the purchase of a tarp to cover your RV during storage. Make sure you invest in a good tarp that can breathe.
Above checklist courtesy of rvNetLinx: http://www.rvnetlinx.com
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