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How To Winterize A Travel Trailer (Step by Step Guide)

• Last Updated: May 24, 2024

When the cold weather starts to creep in, it’s time to start thinking about winterizing your travel trailer. If you want to ensure that your trip is a success, you must take the necessary steps to prepare for the colder months. This article will discuss how to winterize a travel trailer so that you can stay warm and comfortable on your next trip!

Why Do You Need To Winterize Your Travel Trailer?

There are a few reasons why you might need to winterize your travel trailer. First, if you live in an area with cold weather, you will want to ensure that your travel trailer is prepared for the colder temperatures . Second, if you plan on taking a trip during the winter months, you will need to ensure that your travel trailer is winterized correctly to stay warm and comfortable while on the road.

What Happens If You Don’t Winterize Travel Trailer?

Depending on where you live, you may be able to get away without winterizing your travel trailer.

However, if you live in an area where the temperatures dip below freezing, it’s essential to take the necessary steps to protect your investment . Failing to do so could result in severe damage and costly repairs.

So what exactly happens if you don’t winterize your travel trailer? Water lines can freeze and burst, causing extensive damage. The holding tanks can also freeze and crack, resulting in leaks.

And if the RV is left unattended for an extended period, the battery could die. All of these scenarios are costly to fix and could have been avoided by taking the time to winterize the RV.

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When Should I Winterize My RV?

The best time to winterize your RV is before the first frost. This will help to ensure that your lines and pipes don’t freeze and burst. However, if you live in an area with a mild climate, you may be able to get away with winterizing your RV later in the season.

No matter when you decide to winterize your travel trailer, the most important thing is to do it before you take it out for the season. This will help to ensure that your RV is ready for anything that winter throws your way.

Tools Needed Before You Start

To winterize your travel trailer, you’ll need a few tools. These include:

• A water heater bypass kit
• A clean and empty five-gallon bucket
• Air compressor
• An RV antifreeze solution (this is different from the automotive antifreeze method)
• Pressure relief valve
• A rags or towels

Once you have all of these things, you’re ready to start winterizing your travel trailer!

How Do You Winterize Your Travel Trailer? Simple Steps To Follow

If you are like many people, you enjoy spending time outdoors in your RV during the warmer months. However, when winter arrives, it’s essential to take steps to protect your investment. Winterizing your travel trailer will help ensure it is ready for next season.

Here are some simple steps that you can follow to winterize your travel trailer:

Step # 1: Clean And Inspect The Roof And Seal Any Leaks

Begin by removing any leaves or debris accumulated on the roof throughout the fall. Next, inspect all the seals around your vents, skylights, and other openings. If you see any cracks or gaps, use a sealant to fill them in and prevent leaks.

Step # 2: Drain The Freshwater Tank And Add RV Antifreeze To All Faucets, Showers, And Toilets

• Open all of the faucets in your travel trailer to allow any water left in the lines to drain out.
• Add RV antifreeze to each one.
• Drain plug on the fresh water tank and add RV antifreeze to that as well.

To do this, pour a few inches of RV antifreeze into a bowl and then use a funnel to add it to each toilet bowl. For your sinks and showers, turn on the faucet until you see the antifreeze coming out, then turn it off. Non-toxic RV antifreeze is safe for humans, pets, and the environment.

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Step # 3: Add Antifreeze To The Toilet Bowl And Holding Tanks

Add a few inches of RV pump antifreeze to winterize your toilet to the bowl. Next, flush the bathroom several times until the antifreeze appears in the bowl. Inline water filters, turn off the bypass valve, and open all of your RV’s faucets until the antifreeze comes out.

Step # 4: Disconnect And Drain The Battery

To winterize your battery:

• Start by disconnecting it from the power source.
• Use a hydrometer to test the level of acid in each cell. If the level is low, add distilled water until it reaches the fill line.
• Charge the battery fully before storing it for the winter.

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Step # 5: Cover Or Remove Any Exposed Water Lines

To protect your water lines from freezing temperatures, start by disconnecting them from the water source. Next, drain any remaining water from the pipes by opening all the faucets in your travel trailer. Finally, either cover the lines with insulation or remove them entirely and store them indoors for the winter.

Step # 6: Remove All Food From The Refrigerator And Freezer

To prepare your refrigerator for winter:

• Start by removing all of the food from it.
• Clean the interior and make sure there is no mold or mildew present.
• Turn off the power to the fridge and prop the doors open to prevent ice buildup.

Step # 7: Cover The Windows To Help Insulate The Trailer

To help insulate your travel trailer:

• Start by covering the windows with plastic.
• Use weather-stripping to seal any gaps around the doors and windows.
• Consider adding a layer of insulation to the walls and ceiling of your trailer.

Step # 8: Store Your Trailer In A Safe And Dry Location

When it comes time to store your travel trailer for the winter, make sure to choose a safe and dry location, if possible, avoid storing it outdoors where it will be exposed to the elements. Instead, opt for a spot in your garage or shed. Winter storage is typically available at most RV dealerships.

By taking these simple steps, you can help to ensure that your travel trailer is ready for winter. Contact a local dealer or service center for more information on winterizing your RV. They will be able to assist you with any questions that you may have.

Wrapping UP

Now that you know how to winterize a travel trailer,  it’s time to get started! This process may seem daunting at first, but it’s actually quite simple. Just be sure to take your time and follow the steps carefully. Before you know it, your trailer will be ready for winter!

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How to Winterize a Travel Trailer: The Complete Guide

If you happen to be the proud owner of an RV, then you must know how important it is to prepare it for winter. Winter can be unforgiving on your RV, especially since they are too large to be stored indoors reasonably.

Before you embark on winterizing your RV, your first order of business should be collecting everything you’ll need for the process. Items needed to winterize a travel trailer will include non-toxic RV antifreeze, a water heater bypass kit, silicone sealant, and other necessary items and tools. Below is a systematic, step by step guide on how to properly winterize your RV in time for the prolonged cold season.

Water System

One of the most important parts to winterizing your RV is making sure the water system does not freeze. The whole point of winterizing your RV’s water system is to ensure that no water residue is left to freeze. The process might be a long and cumbersome one, but it’s a necessary one that shouldn’t be ignored. Once you do it once and learn the tricks for your trailer, you will get the hang of it and next year will go by quickly. Follow the steps below if you’d like to start winterizing your RV’s water system but don’t know how to go about it.

• Remove any inline water filters as well as the bypass before completely draining the fresh water holding tank. Do the same for both the gray and black holding tanks.
• Assuming the hot water is off, drain your tank. If not, wait for the hot water in the water heater to cool off before draining.
• Open all hot and cold faucets before draining them using the water pump. Remember to close them all once all the water has been eradicated.
• Bypass your hot water tank by using the onboard bypass kit. If you do not have one installed, you can find one here. If you do not want to bypass your tank, it will require an additional 6 gallons of nontoxic antifreeze.
• Check to see if you have a water pump winterization kit installed from the factory. If not, you can purchase one here. This kit will pull water from a tube instead of your fresh water tank so you can pump antifreeze in. However, if you haven’t installed it in your RV, you can still achieve the bypass by disconnecting the inlet side of the RV’s water pump.
• Dip one end of the transparent pipe which is from your water pump in a gallon of non-toxic antifreeze.
• Start the pump. Doing so will result in pressure building gradually within the entire system.
• Open the faucet furtherest away from your water pump which will slowly fill the pipes with the non-toxic antifreeze.
• Close the faucet when you see the antifreeze come out. Complete this for both hot and cold water.
• Repeat the same process until all the faucets are filled with the non-toxic antifreeze.
• Do the same with the toilet, shower, as well as the outside shower (If your RV has one).
• Switch the water pump off as soon as the water system is filled with the non-toxic antifreeze.
• Release the pressure from the water system by opening the faucet.
• To winterize the city water system, make sure to complete the step above, if not, you will damage a part.
• Take the small screen off the city water connection, then using a screwdriver (or anything long and pointy), push against the valves until the antifreeze comes out of it. You may need someone to turn the pump on to flow the antifreeze.
• Replace the small screen, and your water system will be winterized.
• If you have a black tank flush, you can use an air compressor with this attachment to blow the water out of the valve.

If you aren’t familiar with the winterizing procedure, then asking your mechanic for help would be the right thing to do. The last thing you want is to mess up your RV’s water system because you skipped on a few essential steps. You can also check the RV’s manufacturers manual for instructions on how to properly winterize your RV’s water system. Once your water system has been properly winterized, it’s time to winter-proof other parts of your RV.

If you get antifreeze in your hot water tank, here is an article detailing what you need to do .

Grey and Black Tank

To winterize your grey and black tank, start by dumping them and make sure they are rinsed out. Pour some antifreeze down each drain to evacuate the water in the P traps making sure some goes down into the grey tank, as well as put a half gallon or so down the toilet and your tanks should be winterized.

Slides, Doors, Windows

Your travel trailer won’t be fully winterized without some additional maintenance. Failure to treat your slides, which include your slide seals, doors and window seals, then they might stay shut completely or leak. Use a good quality conditioner on the seals such as our favorite here to spray and wipe on all of your seals on your RV. You will want to use a lubricant on hinges, and any moving parts such as your awning or slide hardware such as the one we recommend here. Apply some grease on the locks to avoid rust shutting them permanently.

UV light can also discolor your interior so you might want to find something to cover all of your windows.

While lubricating your RV, don’t forget to check the rubber gaskets as well. Make sure they aren’t torn or worn out. In case they are, then it would be in your best interest to replace them before winter because, without suitable rubber gaskets, nothing will prevent running water from entering the RV doors and running the interior.

Clean any debris and grime from the windows so your RV will be clean come spring time. Finally, double check your work to make sure everything is well done. If you’re satisfied with what you’ve done, your next order of business will be winter-proofing the RV roof.

Taking care of the RV roof is an essential process to keeping your RV in top shape, therefore, you should go about it with as much attention. Since the RV roof covers a larger surface area than the roof of an average car, you’ll have to take your time to do a great job. You’ll start by washing the roof with a soft brush to remove any debris and dead leaves that may encourage water damage. Using a hose and some car wash or dish soap will do the trick.

Once the roof is clean and dry, you’ll inspect for any scratches and chipped areas, using a roof sealant to seal them off one by one. Check all of the old sealant on any roof penetrations such as vent fans, solar panels, or air conditioners and reseal if there are any gaps or thoughts of water penetration. If your RV has an EPDM rubber roof, then check out for bumps and other forms of irregularities.

If the damage isn’t too extensive, then you might want to reseal and leave it at that. However, if the damage is extensive, then you might want to replace the entire roof. For resealing your RV’s EPDM rubber roof, you’ll typically use a Dicor sealant. When applying the Dicor, it will self level to create a waterproof seal. Avoid using petroleum-based products to clean your EPDM rubber roof since it can cause irreparable damage.

If you choose to use the EPDM sealant, then you’ll start by mixing it in activator before you start coating. Remember to take your time while applying the coat to avoid missing any damaged spots. If your roof has a slit for example from a branch dragging across it, then you might want to use EternaBond seam tape for all your sealing needs. For safety reasons, always make sure you have the right tools and attire on before embarking on winterizing your RV roof.

To winterize travel trailer tires correctly, you need to condition the tires properly to protect them from damage because of the elements. You’ll start by filling the tires to the recommended air pressure. To prevent the tires from deflating completely, you’ll be required to always check them from time to time and filling them up. Failure to do so will only lead to extensive damage to the tires because of the weight of the RV. It would also be a good idea for you to purchase tire covers to keep off UV rays as well as snow.

The right tire covers will protect your RV tires from the extensive damaging UV rays have been known to cause. Once your tires are covered, look for pieces of treated wood and stick them under the tires between the tires and the ground. This way, your tires will be protected from damage as a result of prolonged contact between the tires and frozen ground. The treated wood should have a much larger surface area than the RV tire for it to rest comfortably on it.

Note that leaving your RV tires hanging on a narrow piece of treated wood might lead to eventual damage. The latter is so because your RV’s heavyweight has to be evenly distributed on the full tires or else the pressure will overwhelm the tires. After you’ve conditioned your RV tires for winter with a good conditioner, move on to the next step.

Stabilizing Jacks

You can’t call your RV a fully winterized camper without paying attention to the stabilizing jacks. You’ll start by doing some preliminary checks to ensure that the RV’s stabilizing jacks are in perfect condition. If not, find what the problem is and fix it. If the stabilizing jacks are broken or extensively damaged, you might want to have them replaced before storing your RV for winter. Use grease or a silicone spray to protect the jacks from water damage. If you live near a saltwater body, then spray the stabilizing jacks with silicone spray at least once a week. Doing so will offer maximum protection from rust, which is more prevalent in areas with a high amount of salt in humidity.

If your winterized travel trailer has a generator, then you’ll have to take care of it as well. You’ll begin by changing the generator oil and adding fuel stabilizer to keep the gas in a good condition. Finally, run the generator long enough until the stabilizer has run its course throughout the entire fuel system. In the spring you may want to change the spark plug and you will be good to go.

The batteries provide you power to all of your vital systems while you are off grid, so you will always want to care for them properly. If you live in a cold climate, remove the batteries from the RV and away from the extreme cold. It would help if you did this because batteries tend to freeze pretty quickly, especially during winter and should, therefore, be stored inside the house. Before storing your RV battery, check your fluid levels and add distilled water if they are low. After that, charge it until it’s full and keep them on a battery maintainer for the duration of the winter.

Store your battery on a block of wood to protect it from direct contact with the cold surface or concrete, which will lead to loss of power. Don’t forget to charge the batteries regularly since doing so is the only way to keep the freezing at bay. Lastly, keep the batteries out of the reach of children for reasons we all know.

If you live in a warm climate, you can take these precautions as well, but you could also leave your travel trailer plugged into shore power to keep them topped off.

Electrical System

If your RV is not going to be in use for the long term, then it’s only logical that you should keep the electrical system completely switched off. Unplug all of the cables from the walls of the RV for safety purposes. This would also be a good idea to do some maintenance which should include the replacement of all faulty electrical equipment and tucking away all the exposed electrical wires. Check your smoke and propane detector batteries to make sure they are working and you are done.

The propane tank facilitates all of your heating needs the RV and should, therefore, be prepared for winter as well. Since you won’t be living in the RV throughout the winter, the propane has to be stored properly to avoid wastage. Start by checking the condition of the propane tank. Look out for any dents, scrapes, weakened valve connections, and rust. Make sure you are replacing any tank with extensive damage. Turn your propane tank off and bring it into the garage.

Cleaning the interior of your winterized camper is just as important as cleaning the exterior. Therefore, taking as much time as you need comes highly recommended. Make sure that all the dust, spills and cobwebs (if any) are swept off from your RV. Remove the curtains wash them. Once they are dry, you can keep them in the house until the next time you’d like to take the RV out for a ride. Make sure the RV windows are wiped clean in the inside just like you did from the outside.

Remove all dry-cell batteries from any devices such as the clock or radio. The kitchen cabinet should also be cleaned and aired out. The latter is very important since not doing so will leave tiny drops of food which are likely to attract rodents or insects, or both. The kitchen sink, the bathroom, the toilet, as well as the bedroom, should be cleaned, dusted, and mopped as well. It always a better idea to get back to a clean RV just in time for spring than having to clean it all over again.

If you have any appliances such as a fridge, microwave, and stove in your RV, make sure you’ve cleaned them thoroughly. Use a prop to hold the doors open. Leaving the doors open will allow for air to circulate freely.

Getting rid of all the food is one significant step of you should never skip whenever you’re winterizing your RV for the incoming cold season. The freezing temperatures can cause some food will either rot or burst, attracting unwanted animals and insects. Some of these food may include water, soda cans, beer cans, soup, honey, and jam. To avoid wastage, you can collect everything and store them in your house instead of discarding them. If a soup can or soda freezes and bursts, trust me, you are in for some cleanup come spring time.

Once the food is out, clean the food cabinets as well as the fridge (as directed above) to finish off any scent that may end up attracting rodents and insects into your RV during winter. Get rid of the trash and clean the dustbin before either returning it into your winterized RV or your house for storage.

You’ll begin by washing your RV’s exterior, removing all the dust, grime, and debris that may have stuck on the chassis. Once the exterior has dried off completely, you’ll start checking for damage on the frame. If you find any patches or cracks on the paint, repair them according to your manufacturer instructions. Once all the cracks on the body have been sealed off, the next step will be waxing. The purpose of waxing is to protect the paint from discoloring or fading that’ll come as a result of regular use or prolonged storage.

The waxing process should be carried out just as you would wax a car. We use this wax as it comes highly recommended for this kind of job. Lastly, avoid waxing the awning cap pieces, the propane covers, the roof, and of course, the battery box as they will take on the white color of the wax and be hard to get off. You can use painters tape to cover any areas you don’t want to mess up.

You’ll start by removing all the beddings from your RV since leaving them in there throughout winter will only make the environment inside your RV stuffy. Once all of the blankets, bed sheets, and pillows have been washed and air out, fold them neatly and stash them in the house. Some people even take their RV mattress and store it inside.

To properly clean your awning, you’ll start by hosing it down. This will get rid of any dust or debris that may have stuck on the canopy by chance. Hosing your awning down is also the most effective way of getting rid of mold formations, especially if you’re in the habit of rolling your awning while wet. After your clean awning has completely dried, you can condition it to make it last longer. Finish things off by applying 303-protectant over the entire surface of your awning.

Moisture Control

Moisture sometimes has more than enough ways to seeping through the RV, especially during winter. Therefore, learning how to keep the moisture from damaging your RV will end up saving you much struggle. First, you’ll be better off finding ways of keeping your RV well ventilated throughout the storage period. That’s the whole idea behind the use of a breathable cover which allows air to circulate freely, whether in and out of your RV.

The ordinary moisture absorbing crystals are quite sufficient when it comes to keeping the humidity levels inside your RV at the bare minimum. If moisture absorbing crystals aren’t appealing to you, feel free to purchase the DampRid Moisture Absorber or even better, if you leave your RV plugged in, an Electric Dehumidifier.

Once your RV has been fully winterized, the final piece of the puzzle will be covering it appropriately. Find a cover large enough to wrap the entire RV; from the roof, the sides to the tires. Find the right cover for your RV, that’s if you haven’t already. The best RV covers might be steeply priced. However, if you were to calculate the damage you’d have to incur repairing your RV if you don’t cover it, then spending that extra money getting the right cover would be the cheaper option.

Winterizing your RV is without a doubt a long and tedious process, but an important one nonetheless. Therefore, always to take your time and try to enjoy it as much as you can. If its too much work for you, then don’t hesitate to call in a professional to help you out.

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Prepare Your RV for Winter in Any Climate

Published on October 5th, 2023 by DoItYourselfRV

Sponsored by Liquid Rubber

How to prepare your rv for winter.

Preparing your RV for winter is more than a seasonal task; it’s an investment in the life and performance of your motorhome, 5th wheel, camper van, or travel trailer. Regardless of climate, there are a few things every RVer should do each year when the leaves begin to fall. The following guide breaks down essential steps for both colder and warmer climates to help you prepare your RV for winter.

Prepare Your RV for Winter in Colder Climates

Colder climates pose unique challenges, requiring a detailed approach to protect your RV. Improper winterization can be detrimental to many components of your RV including water systems, battery, holding tanks and more. Damage that occurs due to improper winterization can be very expensive to repair.

Water Systems

Winterizing the water systems in an RV is a vital step in preparing your RV for winter. Winterizing prevents water from freezing in the lines, tanks, and water heater, which can cause significant damage. The primary steps in this process involve draining all the water from the system, including fresh water tanks, water heaters , and all the plumbing lines. This is typically done using the drains on each tank and opening faucets to allow air to push water out. 

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After draining, RV antifreeze is used to replace the water in the system. This non-toxic, pink-colored fluid is pumped through the plumbing system using the RV’s water pump or an external hand pump, allowing it to fill the pipes and tanks, and offering protection against freezing temperatures. 

It’s crucial to bypass the water heater when doing this to prevent wasting antifreeze. All fixtures, including faucets, showerheads, and toilets, should be operated to ensure antifreeze reaches every part of the system. If needed, consult the RV’s manual or a professional service provider for specific details unique to your RV, as variations in RV design might necessitate particular attention or adjustments to this process.

Preparing and managing your RV roof for winter is essential to prevent potential damage due to snow, ice, or other winter-related issues. Initially, the RV roof should be thoroughly inspected for cracks, leaks, or any signs of wear and tear. Special attention should be paid to seams, seals, and areas around vents, skylights, or other fixtures, as these are common locations for leaks. Any necessary repairs should be made, and compromised seals should be replaced or resealed with an appropriate RV roof sealant . Liquid Rubber has a host of products that do the job quite well.

After repairing, the roof should be cleaned using a gentle cleaning solution and soft brush, removing dirt, debris, and any mildew or algae that could deteriorate the roof’s material. Liquid Rubber’s Smart Cleaner is an excellent choice for safely cleaning your RV roof. It may also be beneficial to apply a new protective RV roof coating that suits the type of RV roof material , offering an additional layer of protection. If the RV will be stored outdoors during the winter, consider using an RV cover designed to fit the specific model or a specialized RV roof cover. These covers provide protection from UV rays, snow, ice, and rain, reducing potential stress and wear on the roof. 

Regular inspections during the winter months are also advised to ensure that no new issues arise, particularly after heavy snow or ice storms. Taking these steps to prepare and manage your RV’s roof will help maintain its integrity and appearance, contributing to the overall protection of the RV during winter storage.

RV Batteries

Managing and preparing the batteries in an RV for winter is a crucial part of the winterizing process. As temperatures drop, batteries can lose their charge more quickly, and if left unattended, they can freeze and become damaged. To begin, RVers should inspect the batteries for any signs of wear, corrosion, or damage, cleaning the terminals and connections as necessary. If the batteries are lead-acid, the water levels should be checked and topped up with distilled water to the proper levels. To maintain charge, the batteries can be disconnected and stored in a cool, dry place where they can be occasionally charged with a trickle charger or battery maintainer to keep them at optimal levels. 

Alternatively, if the RV is stored where there’s access to power, the batteries can remain connected, and a quality battery maintainer can be used to ensure a steady charge throughout the winter. The goal is to avoid letting the batteries discharge entirely, as this can cause irreversible damage and diminish their lifespan. Generally speaking, a fully-charged RV battery will not freeze. Following these steps will help maintain the integrity and performance of the RV’s batteries during the cold winter months.

Preparing Your RV Tires for Winter

Properly managing the tires on an RV during the winterizing process is essential to maintaining their integrity and performance. First, the tires should be inspected for any signs of wear, damage, or cracks. Any issues should be addressed before storage. The tire pressure must be adjusted to the manufacturer’s recommended levels, as temperature fluctuations can cause variations in pressure. Over or under-inflation can lead to structural problems in the tires. 

Many RVers have configured their RV tire pressure during RV travel season based on per wheel or per axle weights. Often, that PSI is less than the max, achieving a safe but softer ride. For winterization, inflating tires to the max PSI listed on the tire is a good strategy. Just remember to dial them back to your preferred pressures before you hit the road.

During winter storage, the RV’s weight should be evenly distributed to avoid placing undue stress on individual tires. If possible, the RV should be stored on tire pads or jacks to relieve pressure on the tires. Tires should always be covered to protect them from UV rays and the elements. Moving the RV slightly every month can also prevent flat spots from developing. 

Finally, using tire covers that protect against UV rays can further safeguard the tires from weathering and cracking. By following these measures, RVers can ensure that their tires remain in good condition throughout the winter months. You’ll be ready to go when RV season returns.

Preparing Your RV for Winter – Motorhome Engines and Fuel

Preparing and managing the engine and fuel tank of an RV motorhome is a key aspect of the winterizing process. Start by performing a full inspection of the engine. Check for any leaks, wear, or other issues that may need to be addressed. Change the oil and oil filter, as used oil can contain contaminants that may corrode the engine over time. Fill the fuel tank to prevent condensation from forming inside. Add a fuel stabilizer to keep the fuel from degrading during the winter months. This helps prevent the formation of gum and varnish that can clog the fuel system. Run the engine for a few minutes after adding the stabilizer to ensure it circulates through the entire system. 

Additionally, it’s advisable to check and/or replace other fluids such as coolant. This ensures they are at the appropriate levels and contain the proper antifreeze mixture. The battery should be disconnected or maintained as previously described to prevent it from draining. Covering the exhaust and air intake can prevent rodents from nesting inside. 

Starting the engine periodically during storage and letting it run for a while can help keep everything lubricated and in working order. Don’t forget to remove those intake and exhaust covers though! By taking these steps, an RVer ensures that the engine and fuel system remain in optimal condition during the winter. This reduces the likelihood of issues when the vehicle is taken out of storage.

Those RVers in severe climates must also think about preparing their generator for winter as well. Portable generators can of course brought indoors. RVs with built-in generators should apply the same logic to the generator as they do the engine, as discussed above.

Prepare Your RV for Winter in Warmer Climates

Warmer climates may not pose the same freezing risks, but there are still essential measures that need to be taken to prepare your RV for winter.

In warmer climates, the risk of freezing water lines is reduced. It’s still wise to drain and clean the system to prevent potential algae or bacterial growth. Freshwater tanks and plumbing lines should be drained and cleaned, and any filters replaced as needed. It might not be necessary to use RV antifreeze, but a thorough flushing and drying of the system are advisable.

Be prepared to run your heater and turn on any tank warmers, should a brief cold snap rear its head. Pay close attention to the outside temperature and watch for any freeze warnings, if your area is susceptible to them.

Protecting the RV roof is vital, even in warmer climates, as UV rays can be a year-round concern. Regular cleaning and inspection for wear and tear should be part of your routine. Applying a protective coating suited to the roof material, such as RV Flex Repair , and using an RV cover designed for your specific model can offer extra protection against the sun and elements.

Battery maintenance is just as important in warmer climates. Regular inspection for wear, corrosion, or damage should be part of your preparation. Ensure proper water levels in lead-acid batteries at least monthly, and maintain a proper charge either through regular use or a quality battery maintainer. 

Tire care is consistent across all seasons . Inspect the tires for wear or damage and maintain proper inflation levels. Using tire covers to protect against UV rays and storing the RV on tire pads or jacks to relieve pressure are good practices, even in warmer weather. Regular rotations can also prevent flat spots from developing. On large RVs such as motorhomes where tire rotation isn’t really an option, make a point to get out on the road at least once a month or so with the RV. This also gives your other components, such as slides and leveling jacks, a brief but necessary workout.

Motorhome Engines and Fuel

In warmer climates, it’s still essential to inspect the engine for leaks, wear, or other issues, change the oil and oil filter, and keep the fuel tank filled to prevent condensation. Utilizing a fuel stabilizer can help maintain the quality of the fuel even if the motorhome won’t be used for some time. Regular start-ups during the winter season can keep everything lubricated and in working order.

Properly preparing your RV for winter, whether in cold or warm climates, is a multi-step process. From draining water systems to focusing on the RV roof, each action is part of a larger strategy to maintain and protect your investment. By following these guidelines tailored to warmer climates, RVers can ensure that their motorhome, 5th wheel, camper van, or travel trailer remains in top condition throughout the winter months, and is ready for the road when the new season begins.

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1 thought on “prepare your rv for winter in any climate”.

The 1 critical step that is never mentioned in the winterization is to do a final dump of your gray water so the liquid does not freeze and shatter your drain pipe. Not that this happened to me. But it did because no tutorial mentioned this.

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Full-Time RV Living In The Winter: How To Survive & Tricks To Stay Warm

• Last Updated: March 4, 2024
• 10 minutes read

One of the best things about being a full-time RVer is the ability to be spontaneous. 

But when it comes to living full-time in an RV for the winter, you’ll want to do some planning and preparation to keep from freezing your tail off.

I know this because I’ve been there…

My wife and I had been RVing for 3+ years and we’d started with the dream of chasing 70 degrees everywhere we went in our RV. 

And yet, here we were in the middle of January, sitting in sunny Arizona and hitching up for a long drive to freezing Northern Kentucky.

Our RV trip from warm to cold made us ask ourselves: How do you live and camp full-time in an RV in the winter?

Despite our uncertainty, we discovered that living full-time in an RV during the winter was not only doable, it could even be enjoyable with the right tactics.

To live full-time in an RV in the winter, you need the following:

• A heated water hose (or you can rely on the internal water pump in your RV).
• An internal propane heater in your RV.
• 1-2 electric space heaters .
• Warm clothes and blankets (you can keep the RV warm in the winter, but these help).
• A way to keep tanks and pipes warm (some RVs are 4 season and already have heaters for these areas).

By equipping yourself with the above tools to live full-time in an RV in the winter, you can open the door to new and exciting adventures while winter camping.

Below, I’ll share my story about how we lived in our RV full-time during the winter, the tools we used to keep ourselves warm, and the tactics we employed to make sure we didn’t damage our RVs pipes or tanks due to freezing temperatures.

Tips For Living In Your RV During The Winter

Here’s our best winter RV living tips to prepare your rig to stay warm when it’s freezing outside.

1: Use A Heated Water Hose Or Your RV’s Water Pump

A heated water hose like this one is a must if you plan to hook to city water in your RV during the winter.

My wife and I learned this the hard way when we were still in Williams, AZ. Even though it was warm and sunny during the day, the temperature dropped below freezing at night — meaning our hose wasn’t letting water flow in the morning.

If you live full time in your RV during the winter, you’ll always have to deal with frozen hoses unless you have a heated hose. NOTE: Just because you have a heated hose does not mean that the campground pipes won’t freeze during the winter.

If the campground you’re at hasn’t taken precautions to keep pipes from freezing or if you don’t want to buy a heated hose, you could do the following:

Use your RV’s water pump instead of a hose

Because your RV fresh water tank is internal, it will be less susceptible to freezing than an exposed water hose. RV makers usually  also run heat ducts near the tank to help keep it warm.

By simply using your internal pump, you can eliminate the problem of a frozen hose.

But beware though, when my wife and I did this it seemed like we always ran our tank dry in the middle of the night when it was freezing outside…

So, don’t be us and proactively fill up your freshwater tank to avoid this late night catastrophe.

Let water dribble from a faucet

If you leave a water faucet open just enough for water to drip, this will cause water to flow through the hose and into your RVs pipes.

Flowing water is very hard to freeze, so this will usually keep you covered in a pinch.

Caution: Use this option only as a last resort because it is very wasteful and doesn’t guarantee that sensitive pipes like your toilet pipes won’t freeze over.

Also, if you don’t have your grey tank open to drain, you’ll fill it up overnight with the above plan.

2: Keep That Propane Topped Up!

When you live full-time in an RV during the winter, you’ll burn through propane much more quickly than you’re used to. I remember when my wife and I first discovered this… It was about 3am on a cold Kentucky night. I’d just filled my propane tanks about 4 days before and I was used to them lasting me nearly a month!

So, you can imagine my shock and dismay when I awoke to an ice-cold RV. This happened because I didn’t realize just how much more propane I was using to keep my RV heater running during the winter. I’d run out of propane in the middle of the night and my heater was just blowing cold air.

Don’t be like me — instead, keep an eye on those propane levels and fill them up frequently. If you push this, I guarantee you your propane won’t run out in the middle of the day when fill stations are open. Instead, it’ll run out in the middle of the night when you’re freezing your tail off and there’s nothing you can do about it. 

3: Electric Space Heater(s) Are A MUST

When you live in your RV full-time in the winter, your RV’s propane heater will do a great job of efficiently and evenly heating your RV.

But my wife and I found that some areas of the RV (like our bedroom) needed an extra boost of heat to help out.

That’s why you should plan to have an electric space heater for winter camping .

Generally speaking, you should not try to run more than 1 electric heater in a 30amp RV because space heaters pull a lot of juice and can trip your breaker.

50amp RVs are capable of running more than one space heater as long as you don’t have other energy hungry appliances running.

4: Protect Your Pipes and Tanks

If you have a true 4 season RV, you’ll be able to live in it full-time in the winter without too much trouble.

That’s because your water and dump tanks will be heated and your heat ducts will go all around your water pipes.

But my wife and I (like many RVers around the world) don’t have a 4 season camper .

We have a vintage Airstream which — beautiful as they may be — are not known for withstanding harsh winters. So, if you’re like me, you’ll have to take some additional precautions:

• Don’t leave your black and grey tanks open all the time – Instead, just drain them out periodically, unless you want frozen poo in your sewer hose.
• Run your heat a lot – Even if you’re not in the RV, your pipes and tanks will freeze if you don’t have that heater running. Most RV makers put heat ducts near your pipes to help prevent freezing — do your part by running that heat.
• Don’t overfill your tanks – When living in your RV during the winter, you should never allow your water tanks to get full. You shouldn’t let water in your tanks freeze in the first place, but in case it does, you don’t want a full tank freezing because the water will expand and have nowhere to go.
• Never trust your RV toilet in the winter – Every time I’ve gone into my RV after storing it for the cold months, I’ve been greeted with a toilet that sprays water from all kinds of places. I swear that the valves and fragile pipes on RV toilets are designed to crack the second they get a whiff of freezing temps…Don’t let this be you. Protect that commode. Put a space heater by your toilet, check it often, and if it gets really cold outside, shut off your toilet valve and just use a jug of water to rinse your toilet.

5: Use A Hose Ladder For Your RV Sewer Hose

Sewer hose ladders will keep your sewer hose from bunching up so drain water can flow quickly down the chute. If you don’t use a ladder, your sewer hose might bunch up or leave standing “water” inside it.

Standing water + winter temps = frozen water. And trust me — the last thing you want is frozen poo in your sewer hose when you’re trying to live full-time in your RV in the winter.

6: Put A Skirt On Your RV

When we left sunny Arizona for cold Kentucky, we arrived to a peculiar thing at our winter campground… People had skirts on their RVs! These skirts would wrap all around a camper to cover up the entire underbelly. While it looked a little weird, we quickly figured out that this is a great way to keep an RV warm in the winter.

While not a requirement for living full-time in your RV in the winter, if you can find a way to cover the underside, you’ll prevent cold air from getting under your RV. And that goes a long way to keeping you and yours warm while camping in the winter.

7: Insulate Your Camper Windows

When wifey and I took our first foray into winter camping, we quickly realized that cold winter winds will blow through RV windows like a hurricane. After we turned to popsicles one night, we vowed to fix this pesky situation.

It turns out the solution is fairly simple — all you need to do to insulate your windows when you live full-time in an RV for the winter is grab some foil bubble or foam insulation , cut it to fit your windows, and then wrap it in nice looking fabric.

This simple solution makes your windows look stylish and will go a long way to keeping you warm while winter camping.

8: Stock Up On Warm Clothes

While you don’t need to live like poor Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol , you will want a wardrobe that’ll allow you to brave some cooler temps.

When living in your RV full-time in the winter, you’ll be able to keep it warm, but not as warm as your house.

You won’t be able to scamp around in shorts and a T-Shirt when it’s freezing outside your RV (I always used to do that at my regular home because it was so much easier to heat my well-insulated house).

Instead, grab some thin thermal undergarments, thick socks, and comfy sweaters to keep comfy while winter camping.

8: Thermal Sleeping Bags And/Or Duvets Are Your Best Friend

Even though your RV will stay relatively warm on winter nights, it likely won’t be as warm as you’re used to.

That’s why it pays to have a thermal sleeping bag or thick duvet that you use to keep warm and toasty in bed.

9: Don’t Forget The Healing Powers Of Hot Cocoa

Hot cocoa is that wonderful elixir that you should never be without while living in your RV full-time in the winter.

Keep a supply at the ready to warm body and soul while you brave those winter months in your RV.

When my wife and I decided to live full-time in our RV for that northern Kentucky winter, we had no idea what we were in for.

We quickly took a crash course on all things winter camping. Along the way, we realized that it could be quite fun.

But we hope you don’t have to make the same mistakes we did and that you use our tips above to make sure winter camping goes well for you and the family.

About Author / Aaron Richardson

Aaron Richardson is an expert RVer and the co-founder of RVing Know How. Aaron, along with his wife Evelyn, has been living and traveling in their Keystone Fuzion RV since 2017. Their adventures span across the country and beyond, including memorable RVing experiences in Mexico. Aaron's passion for the outdoors and RVing shines through in his writings, where he shares a blend of travel stories, practical tips, and insights to enhance the RV lifestyle.

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Steve Prentice

Josh – a well-written post. Thank you. I am studying everything I can about winter RV-ing in preparation for the upcoming 2021-2022 winter here in Toronto, Canada. I have read many posts and watched many YouTube videos but one point I have never seen mentioned anywhere is what to do if you want to leave your RV for a short trip such as grocery shopping, or an overnight (or longer) visit to friends/relatives etc.? What do you do then? Are you comfortable with the idea of leaving space heaters on while you go out shopping? And if you choose to leave the RV for a weekend, should you do a quick winterizing treatment with anti-freeze in the pipes? I would love to get your thoughts on this. Happy Travels! Best, Steve

Matthew Groom

Hi Steve. I would wager that you can keep the RV warm enough without the space heaters (which are notorious for starting fires) running the whole time. Water will START to freeze at 32*F/0*C, but it how quickly it freezes will depend on who much time it has to freeze. Keeping it above 40*F inside the RV while not occupied should be quite safe (and will use less propane). Also, the main way that space heaters end up starting fires is usually because people leave piles of clothing or other inflammables near them (or on them), which if you position them cautiously, will probably be perfectly safe to leave unattended for a short while.

I’ve lived full time for 3 winters in the mountains north of Spokane, WA. where temps get below zero several times in cold snaps. One of the best solutions that is also cost effective is to use an oil filled radiator heater. Once they are at top heat out put they don’t use much electricity and will maintain an ambient inside temp while you’re away. Depending on the size of the rv more than one oil heater in different areas can work for larger rv’s. These heaters are sold in many stores or online and are reasonably priced. Hope this helps.

Just a tidbit to pass on. Most trailers with “winter” or “arctic” packages have no additional insulation–they are simply covered on the underside which protects piping, BUT, the warranties explicitly say that you use the furnace to make the guarantee any good. So, while we use radiant heaters, we also use our furnace which can be costly during a cold snap, but it prevents frozen piping and makes us cozy, so we do it. We keep two extra tanks at all times and leave faucets dripping at night. So far, so good (third year).

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Living In A Travel Trailer During Winter

Heating, ventilation, and condensation.

• To reduce heat losses in your vehicle and improve your comfort, seal air leaks by using thermal insulation.
• For your safety: Do not alter or heat your vehicle improperly to avoid any danger. The use of heaters without an outside outlet is not appropriate to maintain the temperature of the room, such as space heaters or the gas oven.
• Heaters without an outside outlet generate carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas that can be fatal; and they also produce about ½ gallons of water for every gallon of fuel.
• Any type of heater that burns fuel inside the room must be properly ventilated to remove the presence of toxic gases.
• Make sure you have a fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detectors on hand.

Humidity Control  When Living In A Travel Trailer During Winter

• Unlike heaters without an external outlet that burns fuel such as propane, electric heaters, and ventilated combustion heaters do not generate moisture problems.
• People and animals that live inside the vehicle will produce a lot of moisture and condensation will form on the surfaces where the air is saturated.
• Health problems can arise when humidity levels are high due to the proliferation of mold. Be sure to periodically provide some ventilation to avoid the presence of unhealthy conditions and avoid damage to the parts of your camper.
• Monitor humidity levels and keep them below, or between 30 and 40%, depending on the amount of condensation that forms.

Adapting Windows For Living In A Travel Trailer During Winter

• Windows with double and triple glass reduce heat transfer and reduce condensation problems. You can create the same effect by installing Lexan or thick plastic sheets outside the windows, and adding thermo-shrinkable plastic sheets inside, thus reducing heat loss and cold air infiltration.  Aliner campers , such as the Aliner Ascape , they have Lexan windows. Aliner is a brand known for manufacturing a-frame campers . However, these campers are not suitable for living in a travel trailer during winter. We have a list of RVs that withstand better extreme cold weather temperatures.
• Install curtains that provide insulation and at the same time be decorative. Wool or fleece quilted fabrics work perfectly and can be purchased at factory locations or chain stores.
• Seal the curtains against the wall using Velcro or other closures. This will allow you to reduce wind gusts.
•  Cover windows whose main use is not lighting, especially those that are toward the north side of the camper. Use insulation foam to reduce heat loss.
• Put insulating adhesive rubber tape around the door frame.
• Because the doors could be poorly insulated, it is recommended to use weather strips and curtains of quilted fabrics that cover the entire door, and likewise for the windows. Good insulation in doors and windows is key for living in a travel trailer during winter.

 Ceiling vents

• You will need ventilation to replace the moist indoor air with the dry outside air. Cover and insulate the vents with some type of sealing material for living in a travel trailer during winter, but it is important that it can be easily removed.
• To seal the grids, buy industrially manufactured plugs or rigid insulators; Cut the material the same size as the opening and wrap it with masking tape to strengthen it.

 Electrical openings and pipes

• Seal the areas around the electrical openings and pipes that have an external outlet. If possible, caulk small holes and use expandable insulation foam to seal large areas.
• Be prudent with the use of foams as these can expand and damage certain areas. Low expansion foams have traditionally been used to seal doors and windows and can be easily acquired.
• Remember that fiberglass insulators do not obstruct the movement of air, so plugging openings with this fiber will only be effective if they have been previously sealed.
• The addition of a base to the RV is essential to reduce heat loss. You can buy sockets made commercially or made of different materials, such as laminated wood or rigid insulation.
• The use of rigid insulators helps maintain the temperature of the lower part of the camper, thus preserving the warm floor and the area below the freezing vehicle.
• If the floor has not yet frozen and the area allows it, bury the socket a few inches, which will give it stability and reduce the flow of air. You can check some examples of how other people have built sockets for their campers at the following network links. (Note: These examples do not represent the ideal of how the seal should be made inside the camper, but they can be of short-term help. Check with local dealers for information on professional skirting installers.)

Rodents And Pests

• Do not use straw or bales of hay because they attract rodents, retain moisture and pose a fire hazard.
• The baseboards create a dark and warm environment that attracts rodents, so you must take precautionary measures to control these animals. The best option is to seal any hole greater than ¼ inch.
• Seal the holes with expandable foam, then cut a thin piece of aluminum from a soda can and put it over the hole.
• Locate traps and bait with poison in the slots where sealing has left gaps.

 Folding compartments

• Remove snow that accumulates at the top of the folding compartments to reduce the damage caused by water.
• When snow accumulates at the top of the folding compartment, heating inside the camper can melt the lower layer of snow, creating an ice dam. You can use the rigid insulation to seal the body of the camper.
• However, any insulation that is placed over the top of the compartments must contain a tilt, in order to allow water to drain out of the camper.

Water Systems When Living In A Travel Trailer During Winter

Water tanks.

• Verify that the tanks and pipes are insulated and that the heating circulates around them. To be possible, You could leave the doors of the cabinets open or make use of small electric heaters.
•  In those pipes that have not been isolated or are not at warm temperatures, such as showers or external taps, it is recommended that they are drained to avoid damage caused by water freezing when you are living in a travel trailer during winter.
• Maintaining fresh open water intakes is very difficult during winter in North Dakota. One option is to wrap the hose with thermal tape and use pipe insulation, but this could create a fire hazard. For the use of the fresh water tank of the camper to be simpler, the tank must be thermally insulated, instead of being exposed to freezing. It is also recommended that you fill the tank periodically and thermally insulate it from the outside.

Wastewater and sewage systems

• Verify that the tanks are thermally insulated.
• To reduce the possibility of tank freezing, use electrically heated heaters and periodically empty the tanks instead of letting them drain continuously.
• Avoiding freezing of external drainage pipes will be a very difficult task. Do not stick to the use of flexible drain hoses that can easily become brittle with extreme cold; and instead, install a PVC pipe in the drains.

Anthony Foxx

I am Tony, an RV designer and RV developer. I create bill of materials for RV manufacturers for travel trailers and fifth wheels. I worked as a freelance transportation consultant for Lyft. As an RV development consultant, I create customization trees for RV manufacturers who want to offer a solution to prospective customers to design their custom RV with variant configuration. Apart from this, I sell in Indiana trailer hitches, hitch balls, goosenecks and weight distribution systems where I provide advice to customers who want to know which is their towing capacity, which hitch ball should they utilize and how to deploy a weight distribution system. I do my best to explain all these processes and their installation, here in RV Favorites.

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Prepping to Live Full-Time in an RV over the Winter

TL;DR: Essential tips for RV living in winter include keeping your RV stationary, protecting exposed parts, ensuring water safety, using indoor heat sources, driving safely, using electricity when possible, and planning ahead.

One of the most amazing parts of RV Living its overall flexibility. Some RVers are weekend warriors, while some travel for long trips, and others live in their RVs full time. Most RVers prefer to travel with the seasons, sticking to mild temperatures to ensure they don’t encounter extreme weather, especially considering that RVing in the winter is no easy feat. Most RVs are not well-insulated, and water pipes can freeze and cause damage once the temperatures drop too low. However, whether you choose to RV in a cold climate or get stranded at some point, it’s important to know how to prepare yourself and your RV. Get cozy as Harvest Hosts covers all the ways to prepare your RV for a deep freeze. Be sure you:

• Keep Your RV Stationary
• Protect Exposed RV Parts
• Keep Your Water Supply Safe
• Get a Proper Indoor Heat Source
• Follow Safe Driving Practices for the Winter
• Plug in to Electric When Possible

Keeping your RV stationary during a hard freeze is a different experience than actively traveling during one. While stationary, you will most likely have access to hookups and will have significantly more ways to prepare your RV. Planning ahead for freezing temperatures in your stationary RV is non-negotiable!

Protecting Exposed Parts

RVs are built to be as compact as possible. This can mean that many parts are located outside, in storage bays, or under the RV. Regardless, these areas need to be protected from the elements in the event of a hard freeze. A best practice is to utilize several of these methods in conjunction with one another for best results.

If you’ve ever seen long-term residents at an RV park or campground, you’ve most likely seen an RV skirt. These wrap around the base of your RV to keep snow out, protect the bottom of the RV, and help raise the temperature. Skirts can be made of foam and other hardy materials to help insulate your RV. A heater or two can also be used under your RVs skirting. Please be sure that any heaters placed under the skirting are suitable for use outdoors so that there’s no risk of any electrical shorting.

Heat tape for Pipes

Heat taping your pipes will take some time, but will be well-worth it. To accomplish this, you must locate all the water pipes outside of your RV and wrap them in heat tape. Be sure to follow the directions so that your tape can be plugged in safely.

Add Antifreeze

It would be no fun to live in a winterized RV. For those that don’t know, one part of winterizing your RV is adding antifreeze to all of the inner pipes, including the grey, black, and water tanks. However, actively using your RV in the winter can be more comfortable with adding antifreeze to the grey and black tanks only. This will prevent any wastewater from freezing and bursting any pipes. It’s important to note that an RV should not stay hooked up to a sewer connection during freezing temperatures. Stay disconnected and dump whenever necessary.

Running water is one element of RVs that make them feel most like a home. However, keeping the water flowing in your RV all winter long doesn’t need to be a challenge with some careful planning.

Heated Hose

The first investment here will be a heated hose. They can either be purchased, like this Camco brand hose , or DIY-ed using heat cable and insulated foam.

The best practice for winter RVing is to fill your water tanks using your heated hose and then pack up the hose. It can be too risky for the spigot to stay connected at all times, and parts of it can still freeze, even when using a heated hose. If you plan on using your freshwater tanks during the winter, be sure to utilize tank heaters (they work and look similar to heating pads) and you may even wish to use a little space heater if your water pump is in the same area outside.

Heating the Inside

You would think that heating the inside of your RV would be a no-brainer. After all, heating your home is usually pretty easy, right? However, most RVers know that RVing isn’t always that simple.

Furnace vs Heat Pump

Most RVs are equipped with two types of heat: furnace (propane) and heat pump (HVAC). While it may sound expensive, using the furnace is better for your RV in the frigid cold. The HVAC is not meant to heat the RV during extreme temperatures and can even break when trying to do so. Thankfully, most heat pumps will automatically ask the furnace for help if the job feels too big.

Keep Propane on Hand

As we stated above, propane should be the primary source of on-board heat used in the cold, and it’s essential to keep the onboard propane tank full. For a larger RV, this involves having a truck come to you and fill your tank, or using the Camco Extended Stay Attachment . Having your propane refilled on-site is often expensive due to the convenience. The Camco Extended Stay attachment allows for a small twenty-pound tank to be hooked up to your RV’s propane regulator and bypass the on-board tank. The twenty-pound tanks can then be taken to be refilled at a propane fill facility. Smaller RVs are usually equipped with a twenty-pound tank that can be removed and swapped out.

Electric Heaters

In addition to using the on-board propane heat, small space heaters can also be used to help keep your RV warm. There are numerous types of heaters on the market, ranging from ceramic to fan, infrared, oil, propane, and more. Be sure to do your research to figure out what type of heater will work best for your space and power consumption. Keep in mind that you should never bring a propane tank inside to use with a propane heater.

Insulate the Windows

Thermal Curtains

Thermal curtains are a great DIY project that can keep your RV warm without losing any decor points. These heavy-duty curtains are designed to keep the heat in while still allowing you access to open your window if desired.

Dehumidifier

With all of this heat pumping in your RV, it’s imperative to keep your RV dry. Interior moisture and RVs don’t mix well at all. In the winter months, it can be easy to accidentally grow mold due to moisture build-up. Depending on the size of your RV, one or two dehumidifiers will be absolutely essential.

These tips and tricks are absolutely essential when preparing for a frozen winter. Be sure to plan ahead, and be prepared before it gets too cold!

Winter Travel

Traveling during an unplanned snowstorm or experiencing a hard freeze on the road can be a struggle. Most traveling RVers rely on quick stops for RV overnights that may not have hookups, which can greatly impact your options.

Safety First

The first step to traveling in the winter is to ensure that you have first taken the proper safety precautions. Harvest Hosts has already covered how to drive safely in winter weather , but we’ve recapped a few points below.

Be sure that your RV tires have proper tread and that they are not outdated. Smaller RV tires tend to wear similarly to passenger vehicle tires in that the tread will be visibly worn. A larger motorhome’s tires can still have plenty of tread, but be outdated. Worn or outdated tires both pose serious safety risks while driving. Tire chains may be necessary in some areas for safety.

Safe Driving

Always use your best judgement and err on the side of caution when driving through winter weather. Go slow and pull off if you need to. Keep in mind that bridges freeze before roads, and always be vigilant for black ice.

Plug in Whenever Possible

In order to stay warm and comfortable, try to plug into electric whenever possible. This may mean stopping at a campground for the night or paying extra at certain Harvest Hosts locations that offer an electrical hookup. Even just a 30-amp hookup can make a big difference in your RV.

No matter how you RV, solar is always a good investment. This can provide power to your rig for a short overnight stay or even when you pull off the road to have lunch. However, unless you have powerful panels and beefy batteries, you probably can’t run a heater off of solar power. Still, solar can be extremely helpful, especially in emergency situations.

Helpful Products

There are a few products that can really help out RVers traveling through a snowstorm or in an area with winter weather. These aren’t necessary, but can make a huge difference.

Mr. Buddy Heater

This portable heater runs off of small propane canisters and doesn’t require any power to run. These invaluable heaters are well-known in the camping and RV community and are very safe for what they are. You will need to ensure you have proper ventilation when using these even though they have built-in safety mechanisms surrounding oxygen depletion. Be sure to read all of the instructions before use.

As we stated above, skirting your RV is a must in the winter. With the launch of the Air Skirt in 2020, the game has changed. These are portable, easy to set up skirts that inflate to fit snugly under your RV. They are weather proof and help regulate the temperature underneath your RV. They set up in about thirty minutes and store flat. Even RVers that are stationary during the winter may want to check out this product, since it doesn’t require any holes drilled into your RV’s body.

Plan Ahead When Possible

Of course this goes without saying, but plan ahead. Check the weather forecast on your journey to avoid snowstorms or hard freezes whenever possible. Be sure to carry your emergency supply kit and have extras of water and non-perishable food. Always have a backup plan as well!

RV Living in the winter can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. With some careful planning and consideration, you can ride out the cold temperatures and keep your RV working smoothly.

How To De-Winterize A Travel Trailer (Getting Ready For Summer)

Winter can be a magical time filled with snow-filled adventures and cozy nights in front of the fire. But as the frost begins to thaw and the chirping of birds replaces the winter silence, it’s time to prepare for the warmer months ahead. One such preparation is de-winterizing your travel trailer . In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps on how to de-winterize a travel trailer effectively and efficiently.

Table of Contents

1. Understanding De-Winterization

De-winterization involves preparing your travel trailer for spring and summer use after it has been winterized, or prepared for winter storage. During winterization, you most likely took measures to protect your trailer’s plumbing system from freezing temperatures. Now, it’s time to reverse those measures and get your RV ready for some summer fun!

2. Essential Tools

Before starting the de-winterization process, gather these essential tools:

• A fresh water hose
• Non-toxic RV antifreeze
• Towels or rags
• A wrench set
• An air compressor (optional)

It’s also a good idea to have your RV owner’s manual on hand. It can provide detailed information specific to your model.

3. Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Drain the Antifreeze

The first step to de-winterize a travel trailer is to drain all the antifreeze you’ve added to your plumbing system over winter. It’s vital to ensure the antifreeze is fully drained from all pipes, tanks, and faucets.

Step 2: Inspect for Damage

Check your travel trailer for any damage that may have occurred during the winter months. This includes inspecting the roof, walls, tires, and undercarriage.

Step 3: Clean the Water System

Sanitizing the water system is crucial after winter storage. Flush your water system with a solution of water and bleach, then thoroughly rinse it. Don’t forget to clean your water heater, too!

Step 4: Check the Appliances

Turn on all appliances to ensure they are working correctly. This includes the air conditioner, refrigerator, stove, oven, and any other appliances your travel trailer may have.

4. Preventive Maintenance

After de-winterizing your travel trailer, it’s time to perform preventive maintenance. This includes checking and topping off fluid levels, inspecting seals, and lubricating moving parts. Also, don’t forget to check the tire pressure. It’s crucial for safe towing!

5. Final Tips

De-winterizing your travel trailer isn’t just about getting it ready for use. It’s about ensuring your trailer is safe and functional for the warmer months.

Remember, each travel trailer is unique, and some steps may vary depending on the model and make of your RV. Always refer to your owner’s manual or consult with a professional if you’re unsure.

After de-winterizing, it’s time to plan your summer adventures! From picturesque landscapes to sunny beaches, the possibilities are endless when you have a fully prepped travel trailer.

As you venture out, consider keeping a maintenance checklist for your travel trailer. This can help you stay on top of the condition of your trailer and prevent any unforeseen issues down the line.

Wrapping Up

De-winterizing your travel trailer is an essential step in transitioning from winter hibernation to exciting summer road trips. It might seem like a daunting task at first, but with the right tools, a comprehensive checklist, and this detailed guide at your side, you’ll have your travel trailer ready for the road in no time.

Just imagine the amazing destinations and unforgettable memories that await you. All it takes is a little preparation, and you’re ready to embrace the warmer months with open arms (and an open road).

Disclaimer : This guide is meant to provide general advice on de-winterizing a travel trailer. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions or consult a professional if unsure. Improper de-winterizing could lead to significant damage.

Good luck, and happy camping.

Check out our article on: (10 Steps) How To Winterize An RV Or Camper For Safe Storage

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