How to Winterize a Travel Trailer: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide
As temperatures drop, learning how to winterize a travel trailer becomes essential. This process protects your RV’s plumbing system from freezing, which can cause pipes to burst and lead to expensive damage. Consequently, a little effort now saves you a lot of trouble later. This guide will walk you through every step for a worry-free winter.
Why Winterizing Your Travel Trailer is Crucial
Water expands when it freezes. Inside your RV’s pipes, this expansion can create immense pressure. Therefore, any water left in your plumbing system over the winter can easily crack pipes, fittings, and tanks. Winterizing replaces the water with non-toxic RV antifreeze, effectively preventing this damage. In addition, it helps keep your trailer in top condition for the next camping season.
Gather Your Winterizing Supplies
Before you begin, you should gather all the necessary tools. Having everything on hand makes the process much smoother. You will generally need:
- 2-3 gallons of non-toxic RV antifreeze.
- A water pump converter kit or a basic hand pump.
- Various hand tools to remove drain plugs.
- A water heater bypass kit (if not already installed).
- Cleaning supplies for the tanks.
Step 1: Drain and Clean the Entire Water System
First, you must remove all the water from your trailer. This is the most critical part of the process, so take your time and be thorough.
Empty All Holding Tanks
Start by draining your fresh, gray, and black water tanks completely. Take your trailer to a proper dump station for this. Afterwards, clean the black tank thoroughly using a tank wand or its built-in flushing system. A clean tank prevents nasty surprises in the spring.
Bypass and Drain the Water Heater
You do not want antifreeze in your water heater. Therefore, you must bypass it. Locate the bypass valves on the back of the heater and turn them to the bypass position. Then, carefully open the pressure relief valve and remove the drain plug to let all the water out.
Clear the Water Lines
Next, open all the faucets in your trailer, including the kitchen sink, bathroom sink, and shower. Don’t forget the outdoor shower if you have one. Flush the toilet until no more water comes out. This clears the remaining water from the pipes before you add antifreeze.
Step 2: Introduce RV Antifreeze into Your Plumbing
With the system empty, it’s time to add the antifreeze. This is what protects your lines from freezing solid.
Connect your water pump converter kit and place the tube into a jug of RV antifreeze. Turn on your water pump. It will now draw antifreeze directly into the plumbing. Go to the farthest faucet and turn on the cold water until you see pink fluid. Then, switch to the hot water side and do the same. Repeat this for every faucet, the shower, and the toilet.
How to Winterize a Travel Trailer: Beyond the Pipes
Winterizing is more than just plumbing. You should also protect other parts of your trailer.
Battery and Tires
Fully charge your battery, then disconnect it and store it in a cool, dry place. A basement is a great option. For your tires, clean them and cover them to protect them from sun damage. Also, ensure they are inflated to the proper pressure to prevent flat spots.
Prevent Pests
Finally, remove all food from your trailer. Clean the interior thoroughly to eliminate crumbs that might attract rodents. You can place mouse repellent or traps inside as an extra precaution. Check the exterior for any small holes where pests could enter and seal them up.
Final Checks Before Storage
You are almost done! Before you lock up for the winter, run through this quick checklist:
- Confirm all faucets are closed.
- Pour a cup of antifreeze down each drain to protect the P-traps.
- Close all windows and roof vents.
- Cover your travel trailer if you have a proper, breathable RV cover.
By following these steps, you can rest assured that your travel trailer will be safe all winter and ready for new adventures in the spring. Proper winterization is the key to a long and happy RV life.
