How to Winterize your RV in 3 Easy Steps

Note: Fun Town RV offers RV Winterization as a Service at any of our RV Service Centers. Find the link to get your RV Serviced by one of our FTRV Certified Technicians here. ->

Step 1

The Easy Parts

When beginning the RV Winterization process there are some essential steps that are sometimes overlooked. This guide was designed to help you prepare your RV for the Winter Months.

Refrigerators
Making sure there is no food or drinks in your RV will save you from exploding sodas or mold crawling up walls in your RV while it is not being used over the winter months. Additionally, it will help prevent rodents from trying to breach your RV over the Winter.

Tire Protection

Make sure you are covering your tires. Keeping them under cover with tire covers will keep them safe from dry rot and help protect them from the elements.

RV Covers
The weather can have serious effects on your RV paint. Protect your RV from the elements by investing in either an RV cover or an RV Canopy.

Batteries

You need to keep your battery topped off throughout the winter, even if you are not using them. There are a few options you have.

Leave the unit plugged in and use the RV converter charger.
Plug the unit in once a month for about 8 hours and let the converter charger top the batteries off.
Remove the batteries from the RV and store them in a cool dry place charging them as needed.
You can use a battery conditioner and maintainer.

Step 2

Draining Tanks

Black and Gray

Visit a Fun Town RV Service Center or local Campground to empty out all your Gray and Black water tanks. You do not want anything in these tanks sitting over winter and freezing up. This is the most important step in the RV Winterization process.

Water Heaters

Open all Faucets and Water Lines. Make sure it is NOT on or Hot. Notice the plug at the bottom. Notice the pressure relief valve. Remove the Plug and open the pressure relief valve to allow the tank to drain. Once done close pressure relief valve. Place the plug back at the bottom of the tank.

Blow Out Water Lines

Now that you have drained the water heater you need to bypass the tank to remove any excess water in the tank to make sure it doesn’t freeze over winter. Remove any inline filters that you have in the trailer and replace with just the housing. Connect your air compressor to the water inlet on the RV. Go fixture-to-fixture to let out all remaining water from the RV. Places to make sure you clear are:

Kitchen, Bath, & Outdoor Sinks
Bath & Outdoor Showers
Commodes
Low Point Drains

Step 3

Anti-Freeze

DO NOT USE AUTOMOTIVE ANTIFREEZE, it is toxic and poisonous!

Add Antifreeze to the Drains

Fill P-Traps, water tanks and other drains with RV Antifreeze. Remember to bypass the water heater. After you have completely drained all tanks pour 4-6 gallons of RV antifreeze into the fresh water tank. Turn on the water pump and work your way through all fixtures to be sure RV Antifreeze is flowing throughout. Leave the Antifreeze in the fixtures throughout winter to protect them from freezing up over winter.

That’s it! Your RV has been totally winterized. As a reminder Fun Town RV offers RV Winterization as a Service at any of our RV Service Centers. Find the link to get your RV Serviced by one of our FTRV Certified Technicians here. ->

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Disclaimer: This tutorial is a general overview of the step-by-step process that is required in maintaining and winterizing your RV. This is not a one-size fits all guide as many models vary not only in locations of parts but vary in the features found in each model. Fun Town RV recommends you bring in your unit for the Winterization process so a professional may do the job for you. Fun Town RV is not responsible for any damages you may cause to your personal property, or yourself after following this general tutorial.