Winterizing Your RV

Listed below are the steps for winterizing your rv.  These are guidelines, please check your trailers owners manual for any specific steps that may be required per your manufacturer.

1. Drain and flush fresh water tank
2. Drain and flush gray water holding tank
3. Drain and flush black water holding tank
4. Drain and flush hot water tank
5. If you have low-point drain lines under your RV:
o Open the hot and cold faucets in your RV
o Uncap the low-point drain lines; let water drain completely
o Recap Drain Lines
o Close the hot and cold faucets
6. Blow out the water lines:
(Note: If you have low-point drain lines, this may not be necessary)
o Screw on compressed air adapter onto main fresh water inlet
o Apply compressed air, keeping pressure to less than 60 psi
o Open each faucet, one at a time, to force water out of lines
o Drain water filter canisters.
o Depending on your unit you may have a washing machine, icemaker or
dishwasher; the lines to these would also have to be drained and blown
out. (Consult owner’s manual.)
o If you have a tank flush be sure to blow out also
o Make sure to open each faucet in the RV, including the shower and toilet
(Don’t forget the hand sprayer)
o Open hot water drain plug and blow out the water in this tank
o Remove compressed air and compressed air adapter
o Replace drain plug in hot water heater and close all faucets
7. Put Antifreeze in the water lines:
(If you were confident you have successfully blown out all the water from your
system, at this point you would add anti-freeze to all traps and the stool. One
cupful in each is usually enough, winterizing would be complete at this point. If
not proceed with following steps)
a. Use RV Non-Toxic Antifreeze ONLY
b. Approximately 1-2 gallons should be plenty
c. Make sure water pump is off and all faucets are closed
d. Close the Water Bypass Valve to your hot water tank
NOTE: If you don't have a Water Bypass Valve for your hot water
tank, seriously consider having one installed. Otherwise, in addition to
the water lines you will end up filling the hot water tank with
antifreeze. It's not harmful, but you'll use an additional six gallons of
antifreeze.
e. Disconnect the water line where it joins the fresh water tank
- or -
If your RV is so equipped, shut off the valve coming from the fresh
water tank and open the valve for the winterizing inlet line
f. Place the water inlet line (either from the main system or the
winterizing line) into the jug or other source container with the RV
antifreeze.
g. Switch on the water pump; it will start to suck up the antifreeze into
the lines
h. Open each valve of each faucet slowly, one at a time, until the red
antifreeze starts coming out. Once flowing shut off the faucet valve.
Note: If for some reason you can't drain the water lines using the lowpoint
drain lines and you can't blow out the lines with compressed air,
you will have to wait until the antifreeze pushes out the fresh water in
the lines before closing the valve. A rule of thumb; don't shut off the
valve until the antifreeze starts coming out.
i. Remember to also do this for the toilet and the shower.
j. Be sure to drain water filter. Remove filter before adding anti-freeze
and store in zip loc bag.
k. Shut off the water pump
l. Remove the inlet line from the antifreeze, then either:
Re-attach the water line to the fresh water tank
- or -
Close the winterizing inlet valve and reopen the fresh water valve, if
your RV is so equipped.
m. Pour a small amount of antifreeze down each drain to ensure that the
sink traps have antifreeze in them.
n. Pour a small amount of antifreeze in the toilet bowl also. Note: Don't
flush it into the holding tank.
8. You Are Done!

Need help winterizing your trailer?  Call Bates RV 813-659-0008 or email our service department