There are a few different ways you can winterize an RV, including the use of antifreeze or compressed air to free the lines of any water that might freeze when temperatures drop. No matter what method you use, you need to fully understand how to winterize an RV to avoid any damage while in storage.
If you are not planning on using your RV during the winter months it is best to blowout the water inside the system using compressed air. To do so, you will need an adapter that screws into the city water fill line and a typical air compressor used in a garage.
Knowing how to winterize an RV using compressed air will ensure you complete the process properly. Set the air compressor at 120 PSI. Put it in place against the adapter attached to the water line and open each of the faucets inside the RV. When using compressed air it might be best to enlist the help of someone who knows how to winterize an RV because he or she may have to be on the inside of the RV watching while you are squeezing the compressor’s trigger.
Turn on the faucet for both the hot and cold water lines to ensure they are completely empty of any water. Some sinks and drains may have water left behind. If so, pour a cup of antifreeze down each drain.
Another thing you will be told when learning how to winterize an RV using compressed air is to remove the water filter. This will prevent it from freezing while in storage.
Once you have learned how to winterize an RV you will discover that this method is the best when the RV will not be in use during the winter. This way you do not have to worry about learning how to winterize an RV using antifreeze and having to drain it when spring comes along.
Are you neglecting the line between the fresh water tank and the city water line? I’ve been using the air method the last few years but this thought occurred to me this year…
Hello Dennis,
If you have a manifold system that allows you to fill the fresh tank through the city water connection, I always recommend turning the valve for a few seconds to blow air through to the fresh tank. Most of the time the water line goes down towards the tank so if any water was in there, it would just fall into the tank. I always blow a little air through just in case. On gravity fill fresh tanks, you don’t have to do anything to the line. Any water that would have been put into the lines would have gone into the tank. Just always make sure to leave the valve to the fresh tank drain open during the winter, if residual water is in the tank it has somewhere to go when it expands and prevents the valve from breaking.
I hope this helps!
Dan
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