Other Tips For Winterizing Your RV

Winterizing your RV can seem like a daunting task, but whether you plan on taking your camper on the road or storing it for winter, it is vital for the health of your motorhome!

Taking steps to ensure freezing temperatures don’t cause expensive damages to your RV will pay off in the long run. The last thing you want is to break out the camper for your first springtime camping trip just to end up spending big bucks to repair pipes and other issues, simply because you neglected regular winter maintenance.

We hope these tips on winterizing your RV will save you money and heartache this winter camping season. 

Flush Your RV’s Plumbing System

Did you know that frozen and damaged water lines are the most common issue for owners who fail to take the time to winterize their RV? The plumbing system of an RV is the most vulnerable system susceptible to damage caused by plummeting winter temperatures. 

First, you should remove any water line filters and flush and drain all fresh water tanks. Always make sure the pressure is off before removing the plug to drain the freshwater tank. It’s smart to turn on all faucets to help facilitate flow while draining, but make sure to turn off the faucets and plug the low point drains when done! 

After the freshwater tanks are empty, it’s time to drain and clean the gray and blackwater tanks. We promise you really don’t want wastewater sitting in your RV all winter long. Not only could it become a bacteria breeding ground, it could also cause issues in freezing weather. 

Finally, you will need to get the water out of your water heater. Never begin draining water out of the water heater when it’s still hot. Allow time for the water heater to cool down after turning it off before you open the pressure release valve and drain the water.

It’s also important to bypass the water pump and add antifreeze to your RV water system for winter camping. Learn how to do this at the link here. 

Protect Your RV From Pests

Protect your RV from pests this winter season! Bugs and rodents like to make their way inside during the cold months, which can lead to costly repairs.

Make sure to remove all food from your camper before you let it sit for a while and fill all cracks and crevices as you see them, inside and out. When spraying open spots throughout your camper, we suggest using anti-rodent foam insulation. It’s not a bad idea to also place rodent and ant traps throughout the RV to catch any creatures who may wander inside. 

Prepping Your RV’s Tires for Winter

Most know that tires lose pressure during the colder months, but did you know that harsh weather can affect the quality of your tires?

It’s important to maintain healthy tire procedures whether you are camping this winter season or storing your RV. No matter what you plan to do with your RV this winter, after summer and fall camping you should wash your tires well and apply a protective coating. This acts as a barrier between your tire tread and the harsh winter elements.

If you plan on storing your camper for the winter, finding an enclosed storage area is your best bet to maintain tire life. If you don’t have an option for storing your RV in an enclosed space, it’s a great idea to get tire covers to protect from the cold weather elements and UV rays. If you are able to elevate your RV so that your tires will not have as much pressure through the winter, that is a great idea too.

If you do plan on cold weather camping, make sure to take extra care of your tires once on the road. Ensuring the RV weight is evenly distributed and level is important for winter tire health as well as maintaining clean and properly inflated tires. Keep tires safe when parked by utilizing tire covers.

Maintain your RV

A deep clean before and after each camping season is a great idea. Unplugging and cleaning out the refrigerator before storing between seasons is a great idea to keep mold and mildew away.

Regular cleaning maintenance like vacuuming, wiping down surfaces, and laundering your linens helps keep the inside of your RV the best it can be. If storing for the winter, placing dry packs of silica is a great idea to reduce moisture.

If storing your RV in outdoor conditions, parking your camper on a waterproof tarp, covering it with a breathable tarp, washing your awning and applying a cover, closing vents and plugging other vents, applying caulk to cracks, covering the AC unit, and cleaning/storing the sewer hose, are all great ideas.

This winter season take care of your RV so that you can enjoy it for years to come. It may seem like a lot of work, but winterizing your RV is worth it. You won’t regret it and neither will your wallet!