Winterizing a brick-and-mortar home is one thing, but winterizing a camper is a whole new ball game. If you’re new to RV life, preparing for your first winter can feel a little intimidating, but winterization is a critical step to spare your budget from expensive fixes once spring arrives.
Different classes of RVs come with particular winterization challenges, so we recommend checking your model’s user manual. However, our 8-step guide to winterizing campers takes care of the basics. First, we’ll go over the tools we suggest that you have on hand, and then, we’ll dive right into the eight steps. You can easily finish winterizing your camper in a single day or as a weekend project.
Suggested Tools to Have on Hand
To complete a basic camper winterization project, we suggest that you keep the following tools and supplies on hand:
- needle nose pliers or a screwdriver
- cordless power drill with #2 square tip driver bit
- socket wrench and 1-1/16″ socket
- 2 crescent wrenches or a set of open-end wrenches
- flashlight
- new anode rod or plastic plug
- siphoning kit (if not equipped)
- 3-4 gallons of antifreeze
- water heater bypass kit (if not equipped)
Winterize Your Camper in Just Eight Steps
Follow each of the eight steps below, and your camper will be winterized for the cold season. Each of the steps covers primary concerns and will take care of the basics across various types of motorhomes. A properly winterized camper means less stress and no unnecessary, expensive repairs once spring arrives.
1. Drain and Flush Wastewater Tanks
Don’t let wastewater sit in your camper for the winter since it can cause several concerns, including health hazards. Resting wastewater accumulates bacteria over time which can breed and prove hazardous to your health. Your black and gray tanks can also experience freezing and cause damage.
Drain the black water tank and then the gray water tank. You’ll need to flush both. The blank tank should be cleaned with black tank cleaner only or a designated cleaning wand.
2. Drain and Flush the Water Heater
It’s important to drain and flush other sources that retain water, including the water heater. Turn off the water heater, letting it cool down so it isn’t under high pressure. Never drain the water heater if it’s hot or under pressure. Then, connect the city water source to your camper with the water turned off.
Use the socket wrench to disconnect the drain plug/anode rod and release the pressure relief valve. This allows the water to drain safely. Once complete, turn on the water pressure and flush any remaining sediment for about five minutes. If the anode rod is old, remove it for the winter. Install a new one in the spring.
3. Bypass the Water Heater Before Adding Antifreeze
Some campers have a water heater bypass installed, but you may need a water heater bypass kit to do it yourself. It’s important to bypass the water heater before adding antifreeze because you don’t want antifreeze to enter the water heater. (Some people swear by adding it but forget to flush it before spring. Exercise caution if you take that advice.)
Find the water heater service door on the exterior of the camper, matching that up with the feed to the interior. Usually, there’s an access panel right there you’ll need to remove. Use the drill with a square tip driver bit to remove the panel, and adjust the valves to bypass the water heater.
To find the water heater, locate the service door on the RV’s exterior and line that up with where it feeds inside. More often than not, there’s an access panel inside that you will need to remove. Using your drill and square tip driver bit, remove the panel to access the valves and adjust them to properly bypass the water heater.
4. Drain Your Freshwater Tank and Low-Point Drains
Turn the water pressure off before you remove the plug to drain your freshwater tank. Open the faucets to help with flow. Once complete, close the faucets and plug the low-point drains.
5. Turn on the Water Pump
Is your camper equipped with a siphoning hose? If so, place it inside the gallon of antifreeze. If not, use your siphoning kit to complete this step. Then, open the value. Turn on the water pump to let the antifreeze move through the water system.
Automotive antifreeze isn’t designed for cold storage and can contaminate the water system. Only use non-toxic antifreeze manufactured for campers.
6. Open External Faucets and Valves
Start with the lowest valve, moving upward, and loosen the low point drain plugs to let the water release. Alternatively, you’ll need to open the low point drain valves. When the water turns pink, as the antifreeze moves through the pipes, retighten the plugs or shut the valves.
Also, turn out any exterior faucets or outside showers until it runs pink. Do not run both hot and cold faucets at the same time. Run one at a time, until it turns pink, and then, run the other.
7. Open Interior Faucets and Showers
You’ll repeat the same process from step six for interior faucets and showers. Run all kitchen, bathroom and shower faucets, starting with either hot or cold until it runs pink, and then run the other side. Flush your toilet a few times until you see the antifreeze.
8. Pour Antifreeze Down P-Traps
Double-check that your water heater is turned off and not heating the water. Ensure the faucets are closed. Then, pour additional antifreeze down the drains of your toilet, shower and all sinks so that the external termination pipes don’t freeze.
Using Your Camper During Winter?
A cold spell can still damage your water lines, and many year-round travelers use (110-VAC) electrical heater cords and wrap these around their water lines.
If you’re driving your camper to see family for the holidays, the process described above is almost the same:
- Level the camper. The water lines use gravity to drain and have a manual valve to drain the lines.
- Turn off the water pump and hot water heater.
- Allow air into the water lines by opening the hot and cold water taps, letting them drain.
- Open the hot and cold water line drain valves located in the service compartment.
- Once drained, pour a cup of antifreeze into each drain.
Check your user manual for your model’s specific requirements, and if you have specific questions, feel free to contact us at 1-800-860-7728.
