On the Road

Winterizing your RV

(from “On The Road” November 2007 newsletter by the experts at www.RVWeb.com)

Freezing temperatures can mean costly repair bills for your RV next spring. When water freezes, it expands, often causing burst hoses, faucets, or worse. A frozen water heater can be very costly to replace! Many people have their local RV shop do the winterizing, but it’s not a difficult process. You can save money by doing it yourself. Here’s how.

Plumbing:

Water freezing in your plumbing system is the number one concern with winterizing. You need to completely remove all the water from holding tanks, fresh water tanks, and water heater, and then bypass your water heater (inexpensive kits are available for this.) Next, you want to “blow” out all the water from various lines and systems using compressed air (not more than 40 to 50 psi) and fill the lines with RV antifreeze according to manufacturer’s instructions. Always use antifreeze made specifically for RV winterizing! (It’s pink. The green automotive type is toxic.) Finally, pour a cup of antifreeze down the drains and flush two cups down the toilet into the holding tanks.

If you have a washing machine or other water-related appliances, check the manufacturer’s instructions for winterizing. Small appliances like coffeemakers should be thoroughly dried or removed for the winter.

Batteries:

Completely remove all batteries from the RV and store them in a warm place.

Exterior Moisture:

Many people think they should cover their RVs with a tarp. This is not a great idea because moisture gets trapped under it and can cause mold, mildew and stains on your exterior.

If you do want to keep snow and ice off the vehicle, cover it with a breathable material like canvas.

Interior Moisture:

When moisture accumulates inside the RV, you can end up with mold, mildew, and stains on your carpet, upholstery, the walls, everything. Chemical absorbents are available at your local RV store. These act like silica gel inside medicine bottles. They soak up the moisture in the air and keep it from damaging your interior. All you have to do is open the plastic container and set it inside for the winter.

“Wildlife” Control:

Mice, field rodents like voles and shrews (even squirrels), snakes, and insects all need a suitable home for the winter. Many think RVs are the perfect solution! They can do a lot of damage, chewing on curtains and upholstery, flooring and wiring, making nests in every nook and cranny. Spiders are attracted to the scent of propane and love to make gummy cocoons in and around propane lines.

You should carefully inspect the exterior, especially the underside, for entry holes. Any opening larger than your pinky will be plenty big enough for an unwanted critter to take up residence. These openings can be plugged with steel wool, aluminum foil, weatherstripping, or spray foam. Empty the cupboards of everything consumable-food, sugar, spices, etc-to make sure there’s no ready-made food stash for winter guests. Mice can chew right through heavy plastic and wood containers, so don’t count on that Tupperware to keep them out. Also, scatter a few insect traps around the interior.

That’s all there is to it. Some people remove the tires, but experts feel this is unnecessary. If your tires are old and ready to rot, they’ll do so whether they’re on the vehicle or sitting in the garage. So, if you’re done traveling for a while, take an afternoon and winterize. Your wallet will thank you next spring!

P.S. If you plan to take a winter ski trip or other cold-weather excursion, you still need to winterize while the RV is in storage and then “de-winterize” when you reach your destination. It’s not uncommon for cold-weather campers to winterize and de-winterize several times over the season. If you know you’ll be using your RV in cold weather, consider an “arctic package” when you buy your RV. This option will include things like extra insulation, enclosed underbelly, thermal windows, and heated holding tanks.