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Brace Yourself. Winter Is Coming. Time To Winterize Your RV

ByRVnGO

It’s Time To Winterize Your RV Again.

In 2020, 46 million Americans planned an RV trip according to the RV Industry Association. That also means that much more people bought RVs and need those tried-and-true vacation vehicles to sustain the long, strong winter. Cold weather is on its way. So, make sure your RV doesn’t get frostbite. Here are several ways to winterize your RV and increase those odds that getting back on the road is smooth and seamless.

Clean Everything Up

Before you do anything, break out the cleaning supplies and prepare to get that RV sparkling and spotless. Start from the top, cleaning out cupboards, drawers, cabinets and anything else that serves as a container. Clean off countertops. Remove all foods from the cupboards and fridge. Disinfect kitchen and bathroom areas. Remove bedding. 

During the cold winter months, critters are seeking warmer shelter, too. Leaving things behind, particularly food, is an invitation for rodents and other animals to invade your RV. Deep cleaning the unit prevents an unfortunate meet-and-greet of woodland creatures when you go to rev up for travel in the spring.

Shut Down Water Supplies

Winter weather means water lines can freeze and break, wreaking havoc on an RV’s water infrastructure. It could also signal pricey repairs to get the vehicle back up and running later. 

Drain each water holding tank in the RV. After draining the tanks, flush all the water lines. Flush the toilet several times, run the shower, and let the faucets run dry. After doing these things, recheck the water lines to make sure nothing remains. Clamp the faucets and grab some drain covers. 

You don’t want any remaining water or entryways into water sources. Improperly securing and cleaning holding tanks before winter could spell mold and mildew trouble later. Shutting down the water spares you from that future nuisance.

Shut Down Power Supply and Reserves

Depending on how your RV is configured, it could draw power reserves from a generator or battery. If yours is battery-powered, consider removing the battery and putting it in storage for the winter. It is possible to leave the battery in place, but make sure someone completely charged it prior to winter shut down. 

Locate the RV’s head break panel and turn it off. Disable anything electrical, such as alarms and appliances. If there are any cables attached to anything, unplug it all. The idea is for the RV to be nonfunctional during the winter, with no power, no charge – nothing at all that keeps it powered up or running.

Keep the Engine in Top Condition

Topping off the RV’s fluids is key to keeping the engine functional during the winter shutdown. Check the oil. If it needs an oil change, this is the time to get it done. If the oil is good, make sure the levels are stable. 

The same notion applies to brake fluid, antifreeze and gas. As temperatures drop, any available space in the RV’s engine components is vulnerable to freezing. Like any vehicle, an RV’s fuel lines could fill with ice. When it thaws, ice becomes water droplets. Sitting water erodes mechanical parts. It’s much easier to top off and stave off any potential damage. 

Cover Everything and Inflate Tires

Winter weather is often unpredictable, but you can always count on it being cold. Cold temperatures can do a number on any vehicle, including an RV. Bitter cold can:

  • Slow down a battery, resulting in decreased acceleration or killing the battery’s charge.
  • Thicken oil to where it doesn’t move properly through an engine’s channels.
  • Freeze fuel lines.
  • Break windshield wipers.
  • Shatter windshield glass when condensation forms or cracks exist. 
  • Break timing belts.
  • Decrease air pressure in a tire, causing it to flatten.

Think about the external part of your RV. Sitting through winter weather, undriven and untouched, an RV is subject to the brutal conditions that cold weather brings. So, covering the vehicle is an important part of winterizing it. If you can’t find an RV cover, try finding a tarp that’s big enough to blanket it.

For tires, thoroughly inspect the existing ones. Even if your RV doesn’t move, tires will still feel the sting of winter. If your RV lacks a leveling system, consider blocking the tires for the season. You may also want to move it around a few times during winter, even if it’s a brief drive around several blocks. That way, the air circulates and helps keep distribution more even.

You Could Winterize… Or You Can Send It South And Rent It Instead.

You always have the option to forgo winterizing the RV. Why not just travel south and rent it out for the season? Whether you choose to hunker down for the winter or send the RV to tropical zones, use this guide to be more prepared when Jack Frost comes knocking on the windshield.

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