Welcome to TheOhioOutdoors
Wanting to join the rest of our members? Login or sign up today!
Login / Join

Winterizing campers DIY

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I’ve had two people from TOO ask me about this this year. This is stupid easy once you know how.

Go buy you a little yard pump sprayer.

Buy a male hose bib with a nipple to fit the pump hose.

1 gallon of antifreeze for RV.

That’s it, that’s all you need.

Drain your hot water tank by pulling the plug. All different types.

Find the bypass valves for the hot water tank and close them. Some only have 1 valve, some have 2.

Keep all the sinks closed. I start at the furthest point and have someone open the valve one at a time while I pump air into the system. Working my way from the furthest point back the closest. Don’t forget your outdoor shower!

Once all the water is blown out I put the gallon of RV antifreeze in the jug and repeat the process.

Once that is done I open up all the valves in the camper. Walk away until spring.
349CB83C-9DCD-4E19-B605-E17A8929598E.jpeg
DB493E09-081A-4786-8AE2-17C6BCB7C486.jpeg
890830FB-44BB-48F1-B23F-8672F11161E7.jpeg
9C4F8E33-DCE9-477C-BF2D-15ED885DABBE.jpeg
0EF38AEA-4BD8-4B41-9442-FFC5D833CCBB.jpeg
B112F204-7ABC-42D5-9B3F-5D79AD704F12.jpeg
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Also be sure that you hook up to the city water connection. I took pics, but not sure I said it. I have 500 things going on trying to pack this up for the last trip of the year. We will use a water jug to flush the toilet this weekend and dump both tanks one last time on the way home.
 

Dustinb80

#FACKCANCER
Supporting Member
18,172
187
S.W. Ohio
Also be sure that you hook up to the city water connection. I took pics, but not sure I said it. I have 500 things going on trying to pack this up for the last trip of the year. We will use a water jug to flush the toilet this weekend and dump both tanks one last time on the way home.
We? You mean your wife?
 

Quantum673

Black Hat Cajun
Supporting Member
Make sure to pull the plug or open the drain on your fresh water tank.

Some campers have line drains usually located towards the front of the camper. Take the caps off these drains and open all faucets starting with the farthest point. Water will drain out of the lines.

Once water has drained you can then pump antifreeze in lines. Follow directions Giles posted for this. Close all faucets and start at farthest.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Big_Holla and giles

5Cent

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
12,291
212
North Central Ohio
I open the low points, fresh H2O tank drain, all outlets and then run the pump for 20-30sec to move anything within the pump out or at least create a cavity for expansion if the little bit does freeze.

Then push the 1-2gal thru the city water like you said. I always left H2O tank & hot water tank drains open all season and left all faucets cracked. But, the unit was always in my driveway and I was it every 1-2 weeks as we used it for storage and to keep mice out.
 
Last edited:

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I need to start draining my hot water tank every time. It got skunked twice this year.

My pump has a drain valve. I opened it and nothing came out. I’ll run the pump once I get set up later.
 

Dustinb80

#FACKCANCER
Supporting Member
18,172
187
S.W. Ohio
I opened all the drain lines yesterday, fresh water, both hot and cold low points, and drained the hot water heater. Just ordered the male adapter to the city water connection. I already have a pump sprayer that I used for bleach/soap and water to clean the awning this past spring time. Ill pick up a gallon or 2 of the antifreeze this weekend.

Ill run the water pump for a bit to clear the lines, and open the low points again to ensure they are clear.

Do you guys leave any black tank treatment in the black tank over the winter? Im not 100% sure that my black tank is completely empty. The storage lot has a dump station, but its not level. Id say about 95% of the black tank is emptied. I left both of the fridges and the freezer cracked yesterday prior to parking the camper to allow them to dry out without molding.

Last year I used a cover, since I did the RV roof armor, Im not concerned about a cover this year.

Would yall suggest the nose up or down while sitting for the winter?

Anything else yall can tell me I would appreciate it.


BIG BIG BIG thanks to @5Cent and @JOHNROHIO for all the tips this past week, definitely learned a lot
 

Quantum673

Black Hat Cajun
Supporting Member
I always put some black tank deodorizer stuff in for storage. Never thought I really needed it but figured it was better to have it and not need it than not have it and need it.

I always kept mine nose up during storage. If it is being stored outside this will let the water run off and not sit. If stored inside it doesn't really matter I don't think.