Winterizing campers DIY

[giles]

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.

 

[giles]

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.

 

[giles]

Adam @5Cent i welcome your advice if I missed anything. Kinda in a hurry. As I hook up

 

[Dustinb80]

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]

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.

 

[Quantum673]

Another thing I did was put Irish spring soap in a the storage cubbies to keep nice out.

 

[giles]

I knew I missed something and just couldn’t think of it! Thanks Jon. I actually do that after every trip.

 

[Quantum673]

I knew I missed something and just couldn’t think of it! Thanks Jon. I actually do that after every trip.

I did too. Just didn't want anyone to forget.

 

[5Cent]

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.

 

[Quantum673]

Great reminder about pump. I always ran it as well.

 

[giles]

I’ve never ran my pump. Maybe I should.

 

[5Cent]

I’ve never ran my pump. Maybe I should.

Ehhh....live on the edge maaannnnnnn!

 

[giles]

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.

 

[giles]

@Dustinb80

 

[Dustinb80]

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]

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.

 

[Sgt Fury]

Don’t own a rv but was curious as to antifreeze removal in the spring. How do you ensure that all of it is out before using the water for showers, cooking, cleaning, etc.?

 

[giles]

I would do the same as Jon.

Just flush them real good, Sgt. I think I'm gonna get crazy this year and skip using it.

 

[JOHNROHIO]

I always drop a couple toilet meets down with a coup gallons of fresh water every dump.

Got mine winterized today and the oil changed in the genny.

 

[brock ratcliff]

I did this a couple weeks ago, Dave. Thanks for the tip. It made the process super easy.