How To Winterize A Travel Trailer?

However, before the onset of the winter season, it is essential to prepare your travel trailer for the freezing weather. If you neglect to winterize, you risk getting cracked pipes, burst water lines, and water seepage, so it’s critical to make the time. Here is a step-by-step guide to winterizing a travel trailer.

1. Level The Trailer

Start by making sure that the travel trailer is on a level ground. This will enable the water to drain well from the plumbing system while blowing out the line. You need to utilize the stabilizer jacks and blocks on the wheel base and put your RV in the most level from front to back and side to side as possible.

2. Drain The Freshwater System

The next thing that should be done is to drain the freshwater system. The first step that you need to take is to shut off the power supply to your water heater. Turn on all the taps and showerheads each and allow them to run until they are empty. Finally, use the toilet several times, until there is no water that fills up the bowl again. Turn on the low point drains on the hot and cold supply lines as well as the water heater to drain out any water that might be stagnant in the system. Do not close the low point drains.

3. Pump out the Gray and Black Water Tanks

To thoroughly discharge, use the release valves on your RV for both the gray and black water holding tanks. Ensure you are able to drain this waste water in the right container or sewerage system, do not allow it to spill on the ground. Please leave the release valves open to the drain position.

4. Rinse the system with RV antifreeze

Before you continue it’s now time to circulate antifreeze through the plumbing lines and fixtures. Special RV/plumbing system antifreeze should be bought and not the regular automotive antifreeze. After that, turn on the inlet valve and attach a short hose to it where one would normally connect city water. Hold the other end of the hose into another container which contains antifreeze. Switch on the water pump to circulate the antifreeze.

5. No Two Faucets At A Time

Enter the trailer and turn on one faucet at a time. Start the water pump and pour approximately one cup of antifreeze through the faucet, then turn it off and repeat it for each faucet. Do the same for all sinks, shower, toilet, washing machine, water dispenser in the refrigerator, etc. Flush the toilet a couple of times more. The antifreeze should enter into the drains, traps, and tanks fully.

6. Winterize The Water Heater

If necessary, drain the water heater again but ensure that this is done safely to avoid causing any harm. Ensure that the antifreeze is drawn through the water heater inlet line to properly winterize the heat exchanger. Pull the safety valve with the help of air pressure. Also, avoid using or simply exclude the water filter during the cold season up until spring.

7. Reinstall Drain Plugs

If you opened the low point drains, close them after using antifreeze to circulate through all fixtures and replace the drain plugs. For the first step, flush 1/2 cup of antifreeze down each drain.

8. Purge The Water Pump

Turn on the water pump for a few minutes until you get only pure antifreeze coming out of the taps. This drains excess water from the pump housing. Disconnect the hose and attach your city water inlet back onto the system.

9. Prepare The Exterior

It is also necessary to make preparations for wintering with regards to other outside items. Seal all exterior vents where mice or insects may try to enter. Look at the roof and seal any cracks that might have developed on the roof to avoid water seepage. Enclose your AC unit with a weatherproof cover that will protect it from the harsh elements. Any exterior hoses or tanks should be disconnected, drained and stored away.

10. Charge The Batteries

Ensure that the RV batteries are fully charged. Batteries always degrade with time, and the cold season slows them down even further. Take them out for indoor storage and if you can put them on a trickle charger.

11. Inspect The Trailer

Start with a walkthrough inspection of the whole trailer, both inside and outside. Check for any signs of wear or possible leaks that may be an issue during winter time when freezing is a possibility. Tend to these matters before the onset of cooler temperatures.

When spring comes, by simply changing the antifreeze and performing some maintenance checks you will be set for the new road trip. Preventing the catastrophe of frozen pipes and tanks makes the process of winterizing worthwhile.

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