How to Winterize Campers

People who own RVs and live in climates where the weather gets below freezing need to know how to winterize campers. Those that don’t winterize their campers risk burst pipes, which can do severe damage to the vehicle. Winterizing is fairly simple to do if the owner of the camper follows the correct process. Note that this does not apply to pop up campers or other collapsible types, which must be drained after each use.

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Winterizing a camper is not a quick process. It takes a number of steps. However, once an RV owner has done it one year, it should be easier to do the next. These steps require a source of compressed air, a compressed air adapter and a gallon or more of RV antifreeze. All of these items are sold at many RV dealers, as well as outdoor supply stores with large camping sections.

1. Drain the water out of both the water heater and the fresh water tank.
2. Dump out the water holding tanks. One is gray and one is black.
3. Flush the tanks and make sure the gray valve is open.
4. Find the fresh water inlet line and screw the air adapter onto it.
5. Turn on the compressed air on keeping the pressure on a low setting.
6. Turn on the faucets in the RV one at a time to flush any sitting water out of them and down the drain.
7. Pull the plug out of the hot water tank to get any water that still remains out.
8. Pull the water line running between the fresh water tank and fresh water pump out at the tank end.
9. Put this end into a container of RV antifreeze and turn on the pump. Wait for the pump to stop.
10. Turn on the faucets as before. When antifreeze comes out, shut each faucet off.
11. Put the end of the line back on the water tank.

There are several things to keep in mind when winterizing a camper. These warnings are very important, so camper owners need to take the time to read and abide by them.

• Buy RV antifreeze. It is not the same as automobile antifreeze. Automobile antifreeze is toxic and can poison the future water supply. Note that the antifreeze in an automobile does not come in contact with drinking water if used properly. That’s why there is a difference.
• Use as much antifreeze as needed to flush all the lines. Don’t stop just because the first gallon is empty if the pump is still working. Using not quite enough could mean a burst pipe or worse.
• Don’t store the camper in extreme climates where the temperature gets below negative 50 degrees. Even the antifreeze will not protect it in this type of cold.
• The toilet and the shower both count as faucets since they have water running through them. Do not neglect them when flushing the lines. Let the word flush serve as a reminder.

People that know how to winterize campers but don’t want to do all the work that’s required can hire a service to do it for them. A good way to find such a service is to ask at an RV dealer. For example, Camping World, an RV dealer chain, offers both basic and deluxe winterization services.

While flushing the lines is the most important part of winterization, camper owners may also want to cover their RVs, including the spare tires. This will keep them safe from the elements as they sit idle. Another solution is to park the camper in a garage.

People should winterize before they have to, as in before the local temperature gets below 32 degrees. It’s better to do so too early in the season than too late.

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