11 Crucial Steps for Winterizing Your RV Before Storing

If you’re new to RVing, you may not even realize that winterizing your RV is something you need to be worried about. If you do realize it, it’s likely that you don’t know how to winterize RV trailers and motorhomes, making the process feel daunting. 

The good news? It’s actually fairly simple to get your RV ready for winter, and once it’s done you can enjoy the chilly season in peace, knowing your RV is safe and sound in storage. 

RV Winterization Checklist

Not sure how to go about winterizing your RV? Follow these steps and your RV will be ready to put into storage for the entirety of the cold season. 

1. Turn Off Appliances
2. Empty Holding Tanks
3. Disconnect All Hookups and Fuel Sources
4. Bypass the Water Heater
5. Clear Out the Plumbing System
6. Run RV Antifreeze Through the System
7. Winterize Your Holding Tanks
8. Prep Your Tires
9. Check Your Fluids
10. Don’t Forget About Batteries
11. Clear Out the Inside of Your RV

1. Turn Off Appliances

First, turn off all appliances in the rig. This includes the fridge, water heater, and anything else that might be running in the background. 

2. Empty Holding Tanks

Now is the time to open the freshwater tank to be sure it’s empty. Now is also the time to dump your gray and black tanks, making sure to spray them out well before closing them. 

3. Disconnect All Hookups and Fuel Sources

Next, you’ll need to disconnect your RV from the external water source if it’s connected, then turn off all the power including the propane.

4. Bypass the Water Heater

The next step is to bypass your RV’s water heater. Many RVs roll off the manufacturer’s lot with a bypass valve installed, but if not, you can find an RV bypass valve available very affordably both in your local camping store and through online resources. 

Once the water heater is bypassed, open the drain plug and let the heater tank drain completely. 

5. Clear Out the Plumbing System

Now, you’ll open up all your RV’s faucets and taps. Don’t forget about the shower or tub and the outside shower, if you have one! Give the camper toilet a flush, too, to clear that water from the line. Then, open the low point drain valves and let the system empty entirely. (Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for tips on winterizing your refrigerator, ice maker, washing machine, and dishwasher.)

6. Run RV Antifreeze Through the System

At this point, you will want to run RV antifreeze through the whole water system. Do this by changing to winterization mode at your water pump, sticking the loose hose connected to the pump into a jug of antifreeze, turning the water pump on, and running the nearest faucet to the water pump until it runs pink. Repeat this process with each faucet, working your way to the faucet furthest from the water pump and making sure to replace the jug of antifreeze as needed. 

7. Winterize Your Holding Tanks

Pour a couple of cups down the toilet and a sink to ensure any residual water in the tanks doesn’t freeze. 

8. Prep Your Tires

Tires are made for movement, and they don’t like to be squashed under thousands of pounds of unmoving weight for months at a time. That means that if you leave your rig in storage all winter without extending the leveling jacks, you’re likely to come back in the spring to some flat spots — or, in a worst-case scenario, tire rot.

If you can, park your rig on a concrete pad or otherwise paved surface in order to avoid the vehicle sinking into the soft ground during the spring thaw. If you don’t have access to jacks in order to counteract the weight of your rig on your tires, be sure to move it about a half-tire revolution’s worth a couple of times over the course of the winter. It’s also a good idea to use tire covers to protect the tires from the weather. 

9. Check Your Fluids

Just like your day-to-day vehicle, your RV’s engine and other operational fluids will need to be winterized, as well. If your rig’s a motorhome, be sure to top off the tanks so as to avoid problems with condensation, even if you’re planning on leaving it in storage. You’ll also want to add a fuel stabilizer, which will help protect your tank against the effect of the cold.

Don’t forget about your oil, brake fluid, and windshield wiper cleanser! All of these should be topped off, and you’ll want to make sure your wiper fluid is freeze-proof.

10. Don’t Forget About Batteries

Before sticking your rig in storage, you’ll want to be sure to top off battery fluid and also to ensure they’re fully charged. If your RV isn’t going to be in a temperature-controlled storage unit, the best course of action is to remove the batteries entirely and store them somewhere warm, as extreme temperatures can decrease battery lifespans. Although lithium batteries are more resilient, they are still vulnerable to very cold temperatures and should be stored indoors if possible.

Many RVers like to store their batteries on a battery tender to ensure they stay in good shape for the following camping season. 

11. Clear Out the Inside of Your RV

Lastly, you will want to remove anything you need during the winter from your RV. It’s also important to remove any food in the RV to discourage pests from making themselves at home while you’re away. Keep in mind, canned food can freeze and burst, so those cans will need to come out of the pantry. 

Items You’ll Need For RV Winterization

Before you start the winterization process, make sure you gather the supplies you need. These include the following:

• Sewer hose
• RV Antifreeze (at least 2-3 gallons)
• Water heater bypass valve (if not included in your RV already)
• Tire covers
• Jacks
• Fuel stabilizer
• Battery tender

Should I Cover My RV in the Winter?

One of the best ways to protect your RV from the elements is to park it under a sober of some sort. That said, this isn’t always possible. If you don’t have a cover to park under, you might consider using an RV cover instead. This works well to protect the RV from UV rays, wind, water, and rust, but it is important that you use a cover made for RVs and designed to fit your rig specifically. 

Learning how to winterize your RV might feel overwhelming at first, but really, it’s a relatively simple process and is well worth your time, considering the fact that it protects your investment. Why not get started winterizing your RV now, so you can head into the winter season with peace of mind?

Have your RV winterized and want to take a winter trip, but don’t want to go through the winterization process again? You can always rent from RVshare for your winter adventure and leave your own rig to enjoy it’s winter slumber!

If you’re new to RVing, you may not even realize that winterizing your RV is something you need to be worried about. If you do realize it, it’s likely that you don’t know how to winterize RV trailers and motorhomes, making the process feel daunting. 

The good news? It’s actually fairly simple to get your RV ready for winter, and once it’s done you can enjoy the chilly season in peace, knowing your RV is safe and sound.