The Smart RVer Podcast

↓Episode 76 – How to Winterize Your RV


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In episode 76 Eric goes through the process of winterizing your RV. You'll also hear an update on how covid-19 is affecting the RV industry and what you should do in the current climate. Eric will go over everything in a nearly step by step process of winterizing your RV. With winter quickly approaching taking the necessary steps to ensure your RV will be properly winterized will not only give you peace of mind but also help your RV from unnecessary issues down the road.

Stay safe everyone and thank you for listening! Please subscribe, rate, and share if you enjoy!

How To Winterize Your RV.

Blow out system with air.

Fill system with RV Antifreeze.

You will need a few items:

  • Non-toxic RV antifreeze(2-3 Gallons is usually sufficient).
  • A water heater by-pass kit – There are 2 sizes, 6 and 10 gallon kits.
  • A Holding tank Wand to clean out the black and grey water tanks.
  • A water pump converter kit, or the equivalent for pressurizing the water lines with RV Antifreeze.
  • A few basic hand tools will be required.

Follow the steps below after acquiring the above products and tools as needed. RV Manufacturers sometimes provide additional information to winterize the RV. This information can be found in the owner’s manual. Not every step will apply to every RV.

  • Water Filters, Remove or bypass any inline water filters.
  • Fresh Water Tank, Drain.
  • Black and Grey Water Tanks, Drain and flush with the builtin flusher or use a wand type flusher.
  • Water Heater, Open the pressure relief valve to relieve the pressure and then remove the drain plug (Atwood/Dometic) or the anode rod (Suburban)
  • Faucets, Open the hot and cold side of each faucet, open the toilet water valve by flushing the toilet. Include outdoor showers and wash down faucets.
  • Low Point Drains, Open the low point drain valves (Hot and Cold). The water pump can be used to force water out. Do not run the pump any longer than needed to clear lines.
  • Close all faucets and valves that were opened for the above processes.
  • Water Heater By-pass, Check to see if your water heater has a by-pass kit installed on it. If so, put it in by-pass mode. It is recommended to have one because it will save at least six gallons of RV Antifreeze.
  • Water Pump, Water Pump Converter Kits are the easiest way to get the RV Antifreeze into the water lines. You can also connect clear tubing to the inlet side of the water pump to simulate a converter kit. After the tube is connected, put it in a gallon of RV Antifreeze. Converter Kits make it easier year after year.
  • Pressurize Water System, Pressurize the system by turning on the water pump. Open the faucets one by one, hot and cold starting with the closest faucet until antifreeze appears. Check the RV Antifreeze container to make sure it is not running low.
  • Faucet’s, Start with the closest faucet to the farthest faucet. Open each faucet hot and cold sides. If you have an outside shower do the same process.
  • Toilet, Flush the toilet to cycle the water valve until RV Antifreeze appears.
  • City Water Hook Up, You have tow choices for doing this. 1) While the pump is on you can remove the small screen and push the valve in until RV Antifreeze comes out. Caution- The Water System is under Pressure. 2) Turn the water pump off and open a faucet to relieve the pressure and then push the valve in until you see RV Antifreeze.
  • Depressurize, The water pump can be turned off and now open any faucet to relieve the pressure.
  • Drains, A cup full of RV Antifreeze should be poured into each drain. You can also pour some RV Antifreeze into the toilet and flush it into the holding tank.
  • Electric Water Heater, If your water heater is 110 volts, be sure to turn it off now that the water heater is empty. This is a good practice to protect the heating element if the RV is plugged into shore power.
  • Final Steps, Close all faucets and consult the RV Owners Manual for additional steps to winterize washing machines and Icemakers.
  • Give yourself a High Five, you have winterized your fresh water system.

Every RV is different and there could be procedures specific to your RV. Check the Owner’s Manual for additional procedures. This is a general check list and might not cover every step for every RV.

Reach us at our website: https://radioarizonarv.com/

RV Parts & Accessories: https://arizonarvpartscenter.com/

Our Sunshade Products: https://sunpromfg.com/

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The Smart RVer PodcastBy Eric Stark

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