How To Winterize an RV

Having an RV prepared for a cold winter should be one of the top priories to ensure that your investment stays around for a long time. Winterizing your RV will also protect enthusiasts from having to shell out large amounts of money due to costly repairs. The primary goals are to prevent any type of ice damage to the pipes, prevent any wildlife or insects from living in the RV, and to remove any items that may freeze then leak during warmer weather. Furthermore, special consideration should be taken to protect the RV from damage due to exposure.

One of the first steps that should be taken is to drain any water tanks in the RV. An air compressor can be used with a water inlet bypass to force excess water out of the plumbing system. This should also include the water heater and any additional pipes that hold water. By doing this, RVs will not be susceptible to the damage that can be caused by freezing pipes. Additionally, the taps should be allowed to run until they go dry. RV owners should also consider adding special non-toxic antifreeze to the plumbing system to further reduce the likelihood of cracked pipes during extreme cold weather.

To ensure that insects or wildlife do not attempt to live in your RV, it is recommended that all food products be removed from the vehicle. Animals can live on just about any amount of food. It is also recommended that the RV be cleaned prior to winter storage. In addition, the refrigerator door should be opened and left with a box of baking soda to absorb odors.

All items, such as cleaning products or shaving cream, should be removed from the RV. This will also prevent unnecessary leakage that may occur from such a harsh winter. These products tend to expand during cold weather which could cause plastics or container to crack and rupture. It would not be very pleasing to come back to an RV that is drenched in various chemicals or toiletries.

The tires should be wrapped in a cover if they will be exposed to sunlight. This will prevent the rubber from drying out and popping during the winter. Batteries should also be removed and placed in a safe location that will not freeze. The gas tank should be filled up to prevent water condensation that could lead to corrosion of the tank over time. Lastly, the propane tank on the RV should be stopped and removed. It should not be left connected for a winter due to the highly probable occurrence that the RV could fill up with propane. This poses a serious fire hazard and should be prevented.