Winterizing your RV
How to get your rig ready for winter storage
With the temperature dropping, it is a good time to start preparing your RV for the winter months. Although this may be a little disappointing for some folks, it is a necessary preventive maintenance procedure. You will save a lot a grief and expense in the spring and it helps to enhance the resale value of your RV if you decide to trade at some point.
Cracked Up: If the hot water tank freezes and splits the liner, it will cost hundreds of dollars to replace and re-install.—photo by Reg DeYoung
Of course, motorized units require some additional tasks; towables are basically the same in respect to the procedures required.
Plumbing
The main reason we winterize an RV is to effectively protect the plumbing system from freezing—with emphasis on the water heater, washer/dryer combos, ice makers and filters. The damage caused by a frozen system can be very costly, for instance, if the hot water tank freezes and splits the liner, it will cost hundreds of dollars to replace and re-install, not to mention the damage done by the ice as it melts on the floor and into the underbelly of your RV.
There are basically two ways to winterize the plumbing system. You can use air pressure to remove the water from the pipes with the use of a blow—out fitting, available from your local RV parts store. This does an adequate job and is certainly cheaper, although there are some areas that the water could pool into and split a fitting. If you're looking for a more fail—safe way of winterizing, you can add a non—toxic RV anti—freeze to the system—this will ensure the pipes are properly protected down to -50°C. You will need a bypass system on your hot water tank—either permanently affixed or you can use a temporary type fitting to keep the anti—freeze from going into the tank. You can also add an RV pump conversion kit to allow the water pump to pick up the anti—freeze and move it through the pipes.
Never use any other products or chemicals in the system—most certainly not automotive—type antifreeze which contains ethylene glycol and is extremely toxic to humans and pets. In either case, try not to forget all fixtures and ensure there is anti—freeze in the p-traps under the sinks and in the shower drain, especially if using air to remove the water.
If you are unfamiliar with the plumbing system, then take your RV to a service shop—the cost of this task will far outweigh the expense and headaches of an improper attempt. Now we can focus on other areas of the RV.
Batteries
It is advisable to remove the batteries from your RV and store them in a warmer area but certainly not in any actual living areas—especially when you are charging the batteries. Check the water levels and state of charge on a regular basis—at least once a month. You can trickle charge them frequently and there are stabilizers available to prolong their life cycle. If you choose to leave the batteries in the RV for the winter you will of course have to leave the shore power plugged in and they will still have to be checked to ensure they are not boiling dry from overcharging.
In respectto motorhomes, the starting battery will not be receiving a charge even while plugged in; it is recommended to use an external charger to make sure the battery doesn't freeze from being left in a prolonged discharge state.
Tires
Check the air pressures frequently and bring the tires to maximum pressure previous to storage. It is advisable to clean the tires and cover them with either a vinyl tire cover set or you can simply place some plywood to protect the tires from UV rays. If left unattended and they go flat, damage will be done to the sidewall and most likely they will have to be replaced.
Additional exterior care
If you feel confident to climb a ladder or get on the roof of your RV, you should check the roof coverings—whether it be rubber, fibreglass or metal—for any punctures. You should also check the roof vents, air conditioner gasket and vent stacks for signs of cracking or wear. You will need to also take a look at the sealants at various seams and mouldings for any areas that could possibly leak. In addition, try to seal off any external areas on the side of the RV such as the electrical access or furnace discharge vent. Remember to put them back to normal in the spring, though. Also check the underside of the unit to ensure there aren't any open areas that invite rodents to set up camp for the winter.
Lastly, I would like to advise you not to cover your RV with a fibreglass—type tarp. This will do more damage then good as moisture will be unable to escape and you will have mould and mildew problems. You can purchase special breathable RV covers similar to the ones used to cover collector cars.
Interior care
The first job on the inside is to remove anything that could be edible by rodents or other pests and to remove items that may freeze and leave a nasty mess in the spring. Give the refrigerator a good cleaning and leave the doors open slightly; some folks will even put an open box of baking soda on a shelf in the fridge compartment. To further ensure that moisture is not an issue, you can purchase a chemical absorbent that will absorb the moisture. Place it in a plastic container, which is also made to hold the crystals available at your local RV parts store.
You can also leave a roof vent open slightly, especially if you have installed an aftermarket vent cover, and leave a window open just enough to create some additional air flow. It is advisable to close or retract the slide—out rooms and check to see that there are no openings to allow rain, snow or rodents to enter.
Although quite a few areas have been discussed, there are additional tasks associated more with motorized units. For instance, I would advise you to check the manufacturer's recommended procedures for storage of the engine anti—freeze and on-board generators. During the winter months, it is a good idea to check the inside of your RV for signs of any water leaks or pests.
Winterizing is one of the aspects of owning an RV and if you do the necessary procedures each and every season.
