How to Winterize an RV
Recreational vehicles are among the most common investments that often get ruined during winter. Temperatures can drop below freezing in some areas, which can cause pipes to freeze and the whole vehicle to be destroyed. To preserve your RV, here are some helpful hints.
Antifreeze
The first thing that worries people winterizing their RVs is water. Moist or water-laden pipes can crack or burst because of the pressure that comes with expanding ice. The best solution for that is to use antifreeze.
There are two types of antifreeze that you can buy from an auto supply store:
Pink-colored antifreeze is used to treat plumbing.
Green-colored antifreeze is used to treat the engine and fuel lines.
By no means should you use engine antifreeze on pipes; engine antifreeze is highly toxic and can linger on the inside surface of the pipes, causing the water that comes from it to be unfit for human consumption and use.
Tools
To treat your RV’s plumbing systems with antifreeze, you need the following tools:
Pink antifreeze
Adapter for compressed air outlet
Compressed air tank
Steps
Follow these steps to winterize your RV’s plumbing systems:
Drain both the hot water tank and the fresh water tank. Keep the hot water tank’s valve closed, but leave the valve for the fresh water tank open.
Install the compressed air tank and adapter on the open valve and set the gauge to 20 pounds per square inch.
Go inside the car and switch on the valves and faucets of all plumbing one by one. Make sure that there’s no water that escapes the faucets and valves.
Remove the compressed air line and the adapter from the tank, and move the water feeding lines to a jug of antifreeze.
Run the pump and allow the antifreeze to flow into the plumbing lines. As soon as the antifreeze leaks out of valves or faucets, close them one by one. The pump will stop as soon as there’s enough pressure in the pipes.
Disconnect the water feeding line from the antifreeze, and reconnect it to the tank.
Winterizing your RV can help you save on a lot of costs for replacing your RV’s fuel lines, or even your entire RV. With these steps, you can protect your vehicle from damage come the winter season.