6 Tips For Winterizing Your RV

The fall season is your friendly reminder that it’s time to park your RV and prepare it for hibernation during the winter months.

You can certainly pay someone to do it for you, winterizing an RV for some people is a satisfying adventure because they enjoy working with their hands.

If you don’t mind using a little bit of elbow-grease by taking a hands-on approach and have the time, why not do the work yourself, as this can save you some money?

If this is your first time winterizing, don’t be overwhelmed by the process. Think of it as a routine RV checkup.

To help you, here are 6 tips for winterizing your RV…

1)) Mind The Plumbing

A great part of the RV winterizing process deals with preventing winter-frozen water lines and pipes, but the good news is that all these are manageable.

First, drain the fresh water tank by opening the faucets until all water comes out. Do the same to the showers, toilet tanks, and bowls.

You can use an air compressor to help you siphon out all the water. Then, by-pass your water heater using a by-pass kit provided by the RV manufacturer.

>> Check RV By-Pass Kit Prices On Amazon

To prevent the remaining water from freezing, treat it with an RV anti-freeze solution.

Pump the antifreeze solution into the water system using a pump conversion kit, which uses a tube that transports the solution from its container into the water system.

Then, check if the solution has been flushed into the water system by opening one faucet at a time.

If the faucet releases something pink (the color of antifreeze solution), it means the antifreeze solution has made its way into the water system.

See if all the faucets, showers, and toilet sinks and bowls do the same. Finally, pour around four to five ounces of antifreeze into the drains.

2)) Clean the RV

All consumable items such as food, beverages, medicines, and the likes should be disposed of.

Remember, rodents are likely to be looking for a snug place to spend the winter, and all these items attract them to your RV.

You don’t want your RV to be their winter escape because, as you know, rodents have a notorious reputation of messing up any place they end up living in, especially with their droppings.

To keep them out and all the other nasty insects, close every tiny hole they may use to get through with brass wool or aluminum because they dislike those materials.

3)) Turn Off All Appliances

The refrigerator, particularly, should be thoroughly cleaned. Get rid of all its contents and keep it open to allow air circulation and prevent it from stinking.

The air conditioner is also another concern. Clean before shutting it down for the winter and cover it with plastic.

4)) Have A Moisture Control At Hand

Some people use chemical absorbents inside their RV to prevent moisture to prevent the development of mold and mildew.

Others, meanwhile, find charcoal just as effective.

5)) Cover the RV

This will protect the RV from the elements such as snow and rain. But make sure to use the cover that doesn’t trap moisture inside.

RV experts recommend getting a cover made of breathable materials.

>> Check RV Cover Prices On Amazon

6)) Have A Double Check-Up

Even if you think you’ve done all you need to do in winterizing your RV, it doesn’t hurt to re-check things.

For instance, see if there is an unplugged appliance, if one window is open, if a light is turned on, etc.

This can assure you that there’ll be no heartbreaking and unnecessary surprises waiting for you come springtime.

Some of those surprises can be costly, so be certain to double and even triple-check your winterizing efforts.

Conclusion 

Your RV is probably your pride and joy in life, and you’ve spent your hard-earned money on it.

I know that you want to do everything that you can to keep it in great condition, both aesthetically and mechanically for as long as possible.

Winterizing your RV is one of the best ways to preserve your house on wheels.

I’ve provided you with only a handful of the different ways that are extremely easy to winterize your RV, which happens to be a great start to protecting your rig.

Do this every fall if you want to help extend the life of your RV!