It's Winterizing Time

As the leaves turn and temperatures begin to dip, it is time to shift focus toward winterizing your RV. Taking an afternoon to properly prep your rig before parking it for the season saves you thousands of dollars in spring repairs and ensures your next road trip starts without a hitch. Bring on the pink stuff!

Let's Drain and Protect that Plumbing

Water is an RV’s worst enemy in cold weather. Residual moisture left in pipes, water heaters, or holding tanks can freeze, expand, and crack your lines. Start by draining your fresh water tank, low-point drains, and water heater.

Once drained, bypass the water heater to avoid wasting antifreeze. Run RV-grade, non-toxic antifreeze through all supply lines using an internal pump or direct siphon. Flush every tap, showerhead, and toilet until you see clear pink liquid flowing. Do not forget to pour a bit of antifreeze down each drain to protect the P-traps.

Next it's Time to Inspect Exterior Seals and Seams

Cold winter winds, heavy snow, and meltwater find every minor flaw in your rig’s exterior. Climb up to inspect your roof seams, lap sealant, and window gaskets. Look for tiny cracks, peeling caulk, or dried-out rubber. Recaulk any suspect spots with a marine- or RV-grade lap sealant. Cleaning and applying a UV protectant to rubber door and slide-out seals will keep them pliable and leak-free through the cold months.

Park it and Protect it

Before putting your RV into winter storage:

• Clean out all food, paper goods, and trash to deter rodents. You don't want those pesky mice.

• Disconnect or remove batteries and store them somewhere dry and cool.

• Elevate tires on boards if parking on dirt or asphalt, and check tire pressure.

• Use tire covers to block sunlight.

Every rig is built differently. Performing maintenance, as procedures vary across models. That's where we come in.