The first hard freeze doesn't send a warning. Water left in your RV's lines expands as it freezes, and that can split pipes, crack fittings and ruin a water heater. Winterizing takes an afternoon, and it's far cheaper than a spring repair bill.
1. Drain every tank
Empty the black tank first, then the gray, then the fresh water tank. Open the low-point drains to let the lines empty.
2. Drain and bypass the water heater
Turn it off and let it cool completely. Pull the drain plug or anode rod, let it empty, then set the bypass valves so antifreeze doesn't fill the tank. This is a good time to swap in a new anode rod.
3. Blow out the lines
Screw a brass blow-out adapter into the city-water inlet and connect an air compressor set to a low pressure. Open each faucet one at a time, hot and cold, until only air comes out. Don't forget the toilet and outdoor shower.
4. Add RV antifreeze
Use pink, non-toxic RV antifreeze, never automotive antifreeze. Pour a cup or two into every drain and the toilet so the P-traps are protected.
5. Check the roof
Look for cracks around vents, skylights and the A/C. Seal them with a self-leveling lap sealant so snowmelt can't get in.
6. Protect the tires
Inflate them to the recommended pressure and put on tire covers to block sun and cold.
7. Cover up
A breathable, multi-layer RV cover keeps snow, ice and UV off the roof and sidewalls.
Every product mentioned here is in our RV Winterizing Essentials guide.
