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How to Winterize Your RV

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To keep your recreational vehicle (RV) in tip-top shape in the winter, you need to winterize it. If you are asking how to winterize my RV, the following directions will show you how to get started. Winterization, which protects the RV's plumbing system, also safeguards items, such as RV molding trim as well as components, such as electric bed lift RV accessories. If you plan to schedule RV overnight parking during the winter months, make sure you winterize your RV first. The following information covers the plumbing system, which is the main reason for winterization. Winterization prevents the expansion and contraction of pipes and lines.

Gather the Items You Will Need

Before you begin winterizing your vehicle, you will need about two gallons of antifreeze. The amount you use will depend on the layout of your plumbing lines. Make sure you have a water heater bypass kit if you have not already installed one on the water heater. You will also need a tank cleaning wand to clean the RV water tank if your vehicle lacks a flushing tank. Include a water pump conversion kit or tube to link the inlet side of the RV's water pump. Also, make sure you have the proper tools on hand to install or remove drain plugs.

Remove the Inline Water Filter and Drain the Tanks

At the sink faucet, remove the inline filter and add a bypass hose. Drain the water holding tank and release the water from gray and black water holding tanks at an RV dump station. If your RV does not feature a tank flushing system, use a tank flushing wand at the dump station. Drain the tank of the water heater.

Tip: Never drain the water from the water heater tank when it is under pressure or heated. Disconnect the water supply and make sure the water pump is switched off. To remove pressure on the system, open the faucet for hot water. Wait for the water heater tank to cool before draining the water. By opening the pressure relief valve at the top of the water heater, the tank will drain faster.

Open All the Faucets and Flush the Toilet

To remove any existing water, you need to open up both cold and hot water faucets and flush the toilet. Open low point drain lines by removing the plugs for the cold and hot water lines. Use a 12-volt powered pump to force the remaining moisture from the system. Switch off the pump as soon as draining is complete. Otherwise, running the pump may damage it. Recap the unplugged drains and close the faucets.

Bypass the Water Heater

Most RVs feature a water heater bypass kit. If your RV does not feature a bypass kit, you can install one yourself or take it to an RV facility, such as one that handles Heartland RV complaints or Damon RV brand services.

Install a Water Pump Conversion Kit

Adding a water pump conversion kit will allow you to introduce the antifreeze into the water lines. You can take this approach, or disconnect the inlet side of the pump and link a section of the tube from the pump inlet into a gallon jug of antifreeze.

Switch on the Water Pump

Switch on the water pump to pressurize the lines and pump the antifreeze.

Flush the Toilet Until You See Antifreeze

You also want to pour some antifreeze in the toilet and flush it into the vehicle's holding tank.