Owning an RV is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors, but ensuring it remains in top condition through changing seasons is crucial. One of the most important maintenance tasks is winterizing your unit before cold weather sets in and de-winterizing it when spring rolls around. In this guide, we'll walk you through both processes step by step.

de-winterizing your rv

STEPS TO DE-WINTERIZE YOUR RV

1. Prepare Your System:

   • Ensure that black and gray tank valves are closed.

   • Fill the fresh water tank.

2. Flush Out Antifreeze:

   • Turn on the water pump and run water through all fixtures until clear water flows. Then, turn off the pump.

   • Connect a hose to the city water connection and turn on the water.

   • Run water through all fixtures again until no antifreeze remains. This includes:

     • Bathroom sink, shower, and toilet

     • Kitchen sink

     • Exterior shower

     • Washer/dryer connections (if equipped)

3. Prepare the Water Heater:

   • Turn the water heater bypass to the summer-use position.

   • Allow water to flow through the water heater to flush any antifreeze or debris.

   • Reinstall the water heater plug and/or anode rod.

   • Open the hot water tap at the kitchen sink to release air as the heater fills (it may sputter at first—this is normal).

   • Note: If you have a Girard tankless water heater, no drain plug is needed, and no filling is required.

4. Reconnect the Battery:

   • Retrieve the fully charged battery that was stored indoors.

   • Reconnect it to your RV to restore power.

winterizing your rv

Winterizing your RV’s plumbing system with non-toxic RV antifreeze each fall is essential to prevent freeze-ups that could lead to costly repairs. You can have your RV dealer handle this (after emptying your gray and black tanks yourself) or do it yourself by following these steps carefully.

STEPS TO WINTERIZE YOUR RV

1. Drain Your Water Systems:

   • Drain your hot water heater.

   • Drain your fresh water tank.

   • Drain both your hot and cold water lines.

   • Ensure that your holding tanks are completely empty.

2. Bypass Your Water Heater:

   • This prevents antifreeze from entering the water heater.

3. Introduce Antifreeze:

   • Locate your RV’s water pump.

   • Disconnect the inlet side of the water pump and connect a bypass hose.

   • Place the hose into a jug of RV antifreeze (some units may already have a pump bypass kit—turn the bypass valve and insert the hose into the antifreeze).

4. Flush Antifreeze Through the System:

   • Start by opening the tap farthest from the pump, running hot and cold water one at a time until pink antifreeze flows through.

   • Ensure all fixtures receive antifreeze, including:

     • Kitchen and bathroom sinks

     • Shower and toilet

     • Exterior shower

     • Washing machine (refer to manufacturer’s instructions)

     • Fridge icemaker/water dispenser (refer to manufacturer’s instructions)

5. Depressurize the System:

   • Turn off the pump and open a hot/cold water tap.

   • Remove the screen from the city water connection and press the pin inside to let out any remaining water followed by antifreeze.

6. Final Steps:

   • Remove the antifreeze intake hose and reconnect the water pump.

   • Pour at least one cup of antifreeze down all drains (kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower/tub) to protect P-traps.

   • If your unit has a black tank flush, pump antifreeze through the spray port using a hand pump.

   • Remove your battery, ensure it’s fully charged, and store it inside. Charge it once a month using a minimum 20-amp smart charger.

   • Remove all dry food to prevent attracting rodents while in storage.

When spring arrives, it’s time to get your RV road-ready by flushing out the antifreeze and ensuring all systems are operational. Follow these steps to safely de-winterize your unit.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Winterizing and de-winterizing your RV may seem like a lot of work, but taking the time to do it properly will save you from expensive repairs and ensure your RV is ready for adventure when you are. Whether you handle it yourself or take it to a professional, following these steps will help keep your RV in top shape year after year. Happy travels!