Forgetting to winterize your camper or RV before the winter season hits can feel like a gut punch. As RV owners, we’ve all heard horror stories of burst pipes, cracked holding tanks, and costly water damage caused by freezing temperatures. But don’t panic just yet—there’s good news!
If you missed the critical step of proper winterization, there are still ways to mitigate damage and get your travel trailer ready for winter storage or even winter camping. This blog post will walk you through the best ways to assess potential issues, fix problems, and prepare your camper for next summer.
Let’s dive into the important steps, what to bring, and how to avoid such damage in the future.
Why Winterizing Your RV Matters
The worst thing that can happen to an RV left unprepared in cold climates is water freezing in the plumbing system. Water expands when it freezes, leading to burst pipes, damaged water lines, and cracked black water tanks, grey water tanks, or freshwater tanks.
The RV water system—including the hot water heater, low-point drains, and toilet valve—is particularly vulnerable. Forgetting to winterize can turn a fun camping season into a long story of expensive repairs.
But with the right tools and specific steps, you can minimize the damage and get back on track.
Step 1: Assess the Damage
If you forgot to winterize your camper last year or before an extended time in cold weather, the first thing to do is check for water damage. Here’s how to start:
- Inspect the Plumbing System: Look for leaks or cracks in the water lines, both hot and cold. Check the low-point drains, outside showers, and kitchen faucet for signs of freezing damage.
- Examine the Tanks: Inspect the fresh water tank, black water tank, and grey water tanks for cracks or leaks. These holding tanks are often the first to suffer in freezing temperatures.
- Check the RV Water Heater: The hot water tank is a common trouble spot. Look for leaks around the drain plug, anode rod, or pressure relief valve.
If you find damage, don’t worry—many issues have cheap fixes, like replacing a cracked low-point drain or a damaged inline water filter. For major damage, such as a cracked black tank, consult a professional at an RV maintenance shop. (and be careful when inspecting. Leaks can spring quickly- or can be a slow leak that will take a while to show)
Step 2: Drain the System (Better Late Than Never)
If you’re lucky and there’s no visible damage, the next steps are to drain and winterize the RV water system. Here’s how:
- Drain All Tanks: Empty the freshwater tank, black water tank, and grey water tanks. Open the low-point drains and remove the drain plug from the hot water heater to clear residual water.
- Bypass the Hot Water Tank: Drain the water heater, and then shut off the valve to bypass the water heater. You don’t want to winterize this and have any of the stuff put into the water heater.
- Clear the Lines: Open all faucets (hot water faucet and cold water faucet), including the toilet valve and outside showers, to drain the remaining water.
- Check the Water Pump: If your RV has a water pump, run it briefly to clear any water, then drain it completely.
Draining the system is a critical step to prevent further damage if temperatures are still dropping.
Step 3: Add Non-Toxic RV Antifreeze
Once the system is drained, it’s time to add pink antifreeze (non-toxic RV antifreeze, often called “pink stuff”) to protect the plumbing. You’ll need about 2–3 gallons of antifreeze, depending on the size of your RV. Here’s how to do it:
- Pour Antifreeze into the System: Use a jug of RV antifreeze and pour it into the freshwater tank or directly into the water lines via the water pump. Run the pump to circulate the pink stuff through the hot water line, cold lines, and all faucets. I run the water until I physically see the pink coming out of the faucets and toilet.
- Protect the Toilet and Drains: Pour antifreeze into the toilet valve, kitchen faucet, and low-point drains to protect them.
- Don’t Forget the Holding Tanks: Add a small amount of antifreeze to the black water tank and grey water tanks to prevent any residual water from freezing.
Pro tip: Remember to shut off and bypass the hot water heater.
Step 4: Prepare for Winter Storage
If you’re storing your camper for the winter, take these extra steps to keep it safe:
- Use an RV Cover: A good-quality RV cover protects against snow, ice, and UV damage. It’s a good idea for old RVs or those stored outside.
- Choose a Storage Location: A storage unit or covered area is ideal for cold climates. If storing outside, ensure the camper is level and secure.
What to Bring for Winterizing (or Fixing) Your RV
Here’s a checklist of tools and supplies you’ll need:
- Non-toxic RV antifreeze (2–3 gallons)
- Air compressor (optional but helpful)
- Basic toolkit (screwdrivers, wrenches for the drain plug or anode rod)
- Replacement parts (inline water filters, low point drains, or a bypass kit)
- Funnel for pouring antifreeze
- RV cover for winter storage
Most of these are at a hardware store or RV supply shop. If it’s your first time winterizing, always watch a tutorial specific to your camper RV model. NEVER guess or assume – because that’s a BIG mistake to make.
Top Tips for RV Owners
- Don’t Skip the Bypass Valve: Forgetting to bypass the hot water heater is a common mistake that wastes antifreeze and can cause MAJOR issues to your hot water heater.
- Use Pink Stuff Liberally: It’s cheap and effective, so don’t skimp on protecting your plumbing system. I think we pay around $4-$5 per gallon, which is a deal compared to hundreds in repairs.
- Check Your Anode Rod: If your hot water heater has an anode rod, inspect it for wear and replace it if needed during winterization.
- Set Reminders: Mark your calendar for next year’s winterization to avoid this hassle again.
Good Places to Get Help
If you’re having a hard time fixing damage or winterizing your RV, visit these places:
- RV Dealerships: Many offer winterization services or can repair burst pipes and cracked tanks.
- Hardware Stores: Stock up on pink antifreeze, bypass kits, and replacement parts like low point drains.
- Online Communities: Forums like iRV2 are great for advice from fellow RV owners.
What If Damage Is Already Done?
If you find burst pipes or a cracked black water tank, it’s okay. It stinks, but it’s okay. Many issues can be fixed with parts from a hardware store or by a professional RV technician.
For bigger issues, like a cracked freshwater tank, you may need to replace the tank entirely, but it’s still less costly than buying a new RV. This is something that a professional will need to do.
Forgetting to winterize your camper can be a pain, but it’s not the end of the world. With enough time and the right tools, you can fix minor issues, winterize properly, and avoid such damages next summer.
The good news? Most RV owners have been there, and with these specific steps, you’ll be back on the road in no time.
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