How to Winterize your Camper - Why Not RV: Ep 167, by Why Not RV on YouTube. 6 min 38 s.
- Video length
- 6 min 38 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Empty the fresh water tank and dump the grey and black tanks at a dump station. Open the low point drains so the lines run dry.
Turn off the water pump and the water heater. Let the heater cool before you touch any fittings.
Bypass the water heater with the bypass kit so antifreeze does not fill the tank. Skip this on a tankless unit and drain it instead.
Set your compressor to 30 to 40 psi. Screw the blowout adapter onto the city water inlet and start the air.
Open one faucet at a time, hot then cold, and let each sputter until only air comes out. Do the kitchen, bathroom, shower, outside shower and toilet.
On a tankless water heater, pull the drain plug and open the relief valve. Blow air through until the unit is empty, then refit the plug.
Pour RV antifreeze down every drain to fill the P-traps. Add a cup to the toilet bowl so the seal stays wet.
If you use the pump method instead, drop the antifreeze pickup hose into the jug and run each faucet until pink flows.
Close all valves and taps, cap the drains and write the date on the jug you used. Store the camper with the tank empty.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use car antifreeze in the water system; use propylene glycol RV antifreeze only.
Keep the compressor at 40 psi or below, since higher pressure can split plastic fittings.
Do not forget the outside shower, toilet sprayer, ice maker line and washing machine hookup.
Wear eye protection when blowing lines, because water and antifreeze spray out fast.
Questions
How much antifreeze do I need?
Most campers take 2 to 3 gallons when the water heater is bypassed. A long unit with two bathrooms can take more, so buy an extra jug.
Can I skip the antifreeze if I blow the lines out?
Air clears the pipes but leaves water in the P-traps and pump. Pour antifreeze into the drains and add some to the toilet bowl.
Will blowing air damage a tankless water heater?
Not at low pressure. Keep it at 30 to 40 psi, drain the unit first and follow the maker's freeze protection steps.
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.
