| Winter is around the corner and it is time to start | | | | there will be some dilution of the antifreeze when it |
| thinking about winterizing your RV. It's important to | | | | mixes with the water. Also, you'll use more antifreeze |
| properly prepare your RV for the winter so that | | | | with this method (although not much more). Deciding |
| when you are ready to hit the road next Spring, | | | | on which method to use one should take into |
| everything will be ready and working properly. If you | | | | consideration the type and length of winters where |
| follow these basic steps, you'll have your RV ready | | | | the unit is stored, access to the right equipment (ie. |
| for winter in no time. So, let's get that recreational | | | | compressor, fittings, etc.), whether the unit will be |
| vehicle or travel trailer winterized! | | | | stored outside or in a garage and the size of the unit. |
| Check to see if your unit is equipped with a | | | | If you decide that blowing out all the water from the |
| winterizing kit on the water pump. It's valve with a | | | | lines with air is the route for you, you'll need to take |
| hose attached (usually clear) that is located on the | | | | a few extras steps before you can commence |
| intake side of the water pump. If your unit is not | | | | running antifreeze through. First, get an air plug |
| equipped with a winterizing kit, you can purchase one | | | | adapter for the city inlet. Hook up your air |
| from an RV dealer or places like Walmart. | | | | compressor and set it to no more than 35 psi of air. |
| Your other option is to make your own winterizing | | | | Open all the faucets and start you air compressor. |
| kit: | | | | Continue running air through the lines until all the |
| Disconnect the hose from your water pump from | | | | water has been forced out. |
| the intake side. Take a 2-3 foot section of flexible | | | | Commence pumping antifreeze until you see it |
| hose (a dishwasher hook up line works well) and | | | | coming out of all the faucets, toilet and shower |
| connect it to the water pump where you removed | | | | heads. Make sure that at least a cup of antifreeze is |
| the intake hose. | | | | poured into the drains so that the water in the traps |
| Once you have your water pump ready to go, take | | | | does not freeze up. Also, make sure to put a |
| a 5 gallon pail and pour approximately 2-3 gallons of | | | | spoonful of antifreeze into your fresh water line on |
| antifreeze into the pail. Insert the hose from your | | | | the outside to prevent your check valve from |
| winterizing kit into the pail. If your unit came with a | | | | freezing. |
| winterizing kit, make sure the valve is in the correct | | | | Disconnect and remove the battery. Store it in a dry, |
| position. | | | | warm place. Take the batteries out of smoke |
| Open all the low points outside including the fresh | | | | detectors, clocks, etc. |
| water tank. Make sure your gray water tank is also | | | | Pull propane alarm fuse (if so equipped). |
| completely empty. | | | | Empty out the refrigerator, clean and leave the door |
| Bypass your water heater and drain completely. | | | | open. Remove any and all food throughout the RV |
| Relieve pressure in the water heater by raising the | | | | that could attract bugs and rodents. Clean the unit |
| lever on the relief valve. Take the plug out of the | | | | thoroughly. |
| water heater to drain. Leave the plug out for at least | | | | Place 2 small open bags of charcoal in the unit. One |
| a day . Same with the fresh water holding tank plug. | | | | towards the rear and one up front. The charcoal will |
| If your unit is equipped with a clothes washer, | | | | absorb the moisture during storage and keep that |
| disconnect the water lines and drain the remaining | | | | musty smell to a minimum. |
| water into a bucket. Keep the bucket handy, as you'll | | | | Pressurize tires to the maximum allowed and cover |
| need it to catch the antifreeze later on. | | | | them. |
| There are two school of thoughts concerning the | | | | Make sure tanks, heaters, pumps, and lights are off. |
| proper way to prepare the lines for the antifreeze. | | | | Close all windows and roof vent, and lock all doors. |
| The first school of thought, is that compressed air | | | | You should now have your recreational vehicle |
| should be pumped through the lines to clear them of | | | | winterized and ready for the cold months ahead and |
| all water prior to pumping the antifreeze through. The | | | | at the same time, make your job of preparing your |
| other method is to just use the antifreeze to force | | | | RV for next season, a whole lot easier. |
| the water out. With the antifreeze only method, | | | | |