How to Winterize Your RV

If you want to protect your RV in the winter months, winterizing it before the cold weather ramps up is essential. While you can pay someone else to winterize your RV, why not learn to do it yourself? You will learn an integral life skill and gain self-confidence to handle a massive problem that winter might throw at you. Learn more about why you want to winterize your RV and how you can do so below. 

Why Would You Want To Winterize?

Winterizing your RV keeps your pipes from bursting or freezing. It also ensures your engine is protected from inclement weather. Winterizing your RV can also help protect it from rodents seeking a warm place to sleep or eat. RVs tend to have mini-appliances such as sinks and smaller refrigerators. They will not work correctly if the pipes are frozen, so this process is essential. 

Winterizing also prevents issues like mold or mildew, which can harm your respiratory system and create a pungent odor that permeates your RV. Who wants that? Now that we know precisely why it is essential to winterize your RV, we have to dive into how to do so effectively. Read on below to find out more. 

How Do You Winterize?

Your RV should be considered an extension of yourself, so here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are attempting to winterize it:

• Drain your water supply by connecting your air compressor to a blowout plug. This plug should attach to your city water inlet. Use your compressor to push the water out of your waterline. No water, no freezing. 
• It might take a while for your water heater to fill. Open your valves and wait for the water to pressurize out. 
• Open all the valves in your RV, including the sink and shower valves. Do this until the valve is only pushing air and not water.
• Dump and flush your holding tanks. 
• Empty your fridge and consult your manufacturer’s guide to drain the water. Put towels and other items on the floor in case you encounter a leak, though you should have turned your fridge off beforehand, so this should not be an issue.
• Empty your food and water in your cabinets, as they attract pests and insects. 
• Remove all batteries and store them in a room-temperature area. 
• Disconnect any electronics if possible. They could shut down during high temperatures. 

We offer RV storage here at Big Guy Storage if you want to store your RV for the winter. Why not work with us and take advantage of our month-to-month leases, amenities, and more? Contact Big Guy today.