Poor Man's RV Winterizing: 20 Tricks That Beat the $400 Service, by Dennis Morgan on YouTube. 14 min 54 s.
- Video length
- 14 min 54 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Photograph every valve, drain and hose connection before you touch anything, so you can put it all back in the right position later.
Read your owner's manual to find the fresh tank drain, low-point drains, water pump, water heater bypass and any water filters.
Turn off the water heater and let it cool. Open every hot and cold faucet, drain the fresh water tank and open the low-point drains.
Bypass the water heater by closing the inlet and outlet valves and opening the bypass valve, so antifreeze never fills the tank.
For a tankless heater, follow that model's own winterizing procedure. Many need the unit drained and a maker-approved kit or method.
Remove or bypass the water filter and empty the filter housing, since a full housing can crack when it freezes.
Screw the winterizing pickup hose onto the pump inlet and put the other end in a jug of RV or marine antifreeze.
Run the pump and open each faucet, hot then cold, until solid pink antifreeze flows. Repeat at the shower, outside shower and toilet.
Pour antifreeze down every drain to protect the P-traps, add some to the toilet bowl and treat the waste tanks.
Check the exterior plumbing: city water inlet, black tank flush, outdoor shower and kitchen, plus any ice maker or washer line.
Tips and common mistakes
Use only non-toxic RV or marine antifreeze rated for potable water. Automotive antifreeze is toxic and must never go in the plumbing.
Compressed air can push water out first, but keep the pressure low, around 30 psi, and never exceed the limit in your manual.
Walk the whole RV a second time with a written checklist, then keep that checklist for next season.
Questions
Do I have to bypass the water heater?
Yes, in most cases. If antifreeze fills the tank you waste several gallons and can leave residue that is hard to rinse out in spring. Tankless units usually have their own drain and winterizing method instead.
Can I use compressed air instead of antifreeze?
Air clears most of the water from the lines, but many owners still add antifreeze to the P-traps, toilet and pump. Check your manual, because some fixtures should not be blown out.
How do I winterize a tankless water heater?
Each brand and model is different. Some need a drain plug removed and a specific antifreeze kit, so read the maker's winterizing instructions rather than guessing.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
