Winterizing Your RV
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Can you believe it is already the end of the year? Temperatures are dropping and it is time to start preparing for winter. If you own an RV you should consider spending some time winterizing it now so you don’t have to spend money later on fixing damages caused by the low temperatures. Although you can take it in and pay someone else to do the maintenance, if you want to save some money and do it yourself, here is a checklist of what needs to be done.
Winterize Your Water System
- Drain all water tanks
- Water heater - Only perform maintenance when it is cooled down and the pressure valve is open then drain the water out of it.
- Blackwater tanks.
Your next step is to replace the water with antifreeze. After you have emptied all the tanks, install a water heater bypass kit which will save you a few gallons of antifreeze. Here are the pipes and appliances that must be filled with the solution:
- Water heater
- All water tanks
- Washing machines
- Ice makers
- Toilets
- Drains
Don’t Make it a Home for Any Small or Furry Friends
Animals and insects might try to enter your RV, so make sure all food and beverages are removed. Inspect your vehicle for any holes and if you do find any, fill them with anti-rodent foam insulation. After you inspect the RV, place mouse traps around the interior as an extra precaution.
Preserve the Interior and Exterior
Check for soft spots on the floors, especially in the kitchen. A soft spot is an indication of water damage that must be fixed quickly. Open up all the cabinets, fridges, and doors to help the airflow in the RV and prevent any mold and bad odors from happening.
Finally, wash the exterior and apply a coat of wax. After you take care of the cleaning part, take out the RV battery and store it in a dry and safe place. Don’t leave it on the concrete because it will drain the battery and you would have to invest in a new one.
Winterizing your RV is important and can get costly if not done right. There are many things that should be done before the temperatures drop. One thing that you might want to look for external help with is winterizing all water pipes. The gallons of antifreeze will be your best friend and probably the most expensive thing you would have to purchase. Take these important steps to winterize your RV before your driveway freezes!