RV WINTERIZATION
Here in beautiful British Columbia, we tend to make the transition from fall to winter in the blink of an eye. Although fall camping in BC is always a gorgeous experience, it is often followed by parking our RV's for the winter months. Let's go over everything you'll need to know about getting your RV prepared to brave the winter, and make things easier for when that camping season springs back into action.
WATER SYSTEM
This is probably the most obvious, and possibly the most important step for winterizing your investment. To put it simply; if your pipes freeze, your pipes crack. If your pipes crack, you have a big old mess to clean up, pipes to replace, and most likely water damage to address. Nobody wants that, so let's run through some steps to prevent those damages.
First and foremost, let's ensure that we have the water heater turned off, then drain and flush all of the pipes and tanks in the RV, including holding tanks and the water heater. We recommend opening all faucets during the draining process to remove every last drop of water. Then start filling the plumbing system with RV antifreeze, making sure that the antifreeze reaches each faucet in the rig. It's a good idea to pour some antifreeze down each drain in the unit. If possible, install a water heater bypass kit to avoid wasting antifreeze on the water heater.
Be sure to refer to your RV manual for detailed instructions, as not all RVs are built the same. If your unit is equipped with things like a dishwasher, ice machine, or washing machine, you will likely need to take extra steps to effectively winterize these features.
BATTERIES
Bitter cold temperatures can do a number on your RV's batteries, and most people are going to want their lights to turn on upon flicking a switch when springtime finally shows up. Let's go over a few things to ensure those batteries are still alive and kicking when the warmer weather pokes it's head out.
No matter your battery setup, you will want to turn off your RV's battery disconnect and breaker switches. Something to note when disconnecting the batteries themselves; you should remove the negative cable first. Depending on the manufacturer of your RV, and possible service in the past, your cables may not be labeled – if not, now is an ideal time to label them for an easy reconnect at the start of next season.
For an RV with a single battery setup, winterization is easy. Simply remove the battery and store it in a warm dry place, ideally on a shelf. Avoid storing your battery on a concrete floor, or you might be installing a dead battery when you start to de-winterize the unit. This phenomenon is caused when the battery is sitting on a cold surface and surrounded by warm air, causing the electrolyte to stratify, which in turn causes damage from sulfation. A good rule of thumb is that batteries like the same temperatures as humans.
Larger electrical systems with multiple batteries will often need special treatment. In almost all cases, specific instructions for these systems will be included in your owner's manual. If you have a pre-owned unit and did not receive an owners manual, they are often available from the manufacturer of the RV. Give them, or the dealer you made your purchase from, a call and it won't be hard to track one down. These multiple battery systems will usually require you to leave the batteries installed. In most cases you will still want to disconnect the negative battery cable, and periodically check the charge level of the batteries throughout the winter, recharging when necessary.
EXTERIOR
Okay! Now let's protect the exterior shell of your RV. The first step you will want to take is a good thorough cleaning of the exterior of your rig. During this step we recommend checking for any cracks in the shell, or seams that are starting to split, as these will be an open invite for moisture. Said moisture will freeze and make this cracks and splits much more pronounced by spring. If you did notice any cracks or splits, you'll want to patch and seal them with a sealant specific to the materials of your RV before continuing the winterization process. Now that we are all sealed up, let's get some protection on that outer shell. You will want to purchase a good quality wax protectant formula, while ensuring that it is compatible with composition of your unit.
During the cleaning process of the outer shell, and before we wax, we will address the awnings and air conditioners. First, let's take a look at the awning. The main thing to note here is that you will want to ensure your awning fabric is completely dry before retracting it for winter storage. Beyond the obvious mold and mildew you will be contending with if you don't dry it out, moisture freezing in a rolled up awning can deteriorate the awning fabric, shortening the lifespan of your summer-shade provider. No one wants to replace an awning five years into owning a new RV, so let's make sure it's good and dry.
Another thing we want clean and dry is our A/C filters. This is an often overlooked step, but could very well save you from some unwanted surprises when you're getting geared up for next year's camping season. This is a simple step – just remove, clean, and replace your A/C filters, and you're good to go.
Let's take another quick and easy step to improve our world next year. Now we will take a few minutes to lubricate all the locks and hinges on our unit. This will save us from jammed locks and creaky, stiff, hinges once it's time to put them to use.
Remember that wax we talked about? Now that we have the rest of the exterior cleaned and sealed, let's get a good coat of wax on the unit and keep that shell safe from the elements.
INTERIOR
Now we should give the inside of our home away from home a really good cleaning. Don't stop at a quick sweep – we are going to want to fully sanitize and make sure there is no moisture hiding anywhere. The cleaner and dryer your RV, the less places for mold, mildew, and uninvited guests to hide. Beyond the general cleaning and sanitizing, we recommend removing any clothing, pillows, blankets, any other linens in the RV, and storing them indoors. Don't forget to prop up any removable cushions or compartment covers to keep optimal air flow in the unit, and avoid moisture traps. There are moisture absorbing products out there designed for RVs, such as Damprid RV. Alternatively, if you are storing your RV nearby, and near a power source, you can run a dehumidifier a few times throughout the winter.
FINAL STEPS
Finally, for outdoor storage, you will want to cover your wheels too protect them from the elements, including sun scorching. Covering your entire unit isn't always recommended. The issue here is that covering the entire unit with a tarp can trap moisture, causing much more damage to the unit than simply leaving it uncovered. If you are going to cover the unit to protect it from snow and debris, make sure you are using a breathable fabric type RV shell, to avoid trapping moisture.
We hope these tips help you to get your investment ready for winter. See you at the lake, next spring!
(Please note that this is a generic guideline for the overall winterization process of most RVs, but not all are built the same. Jubilee RV will not be held liable for any damages caused by freezing or improper winterization performed by the RV owner.)
- Josh Robertson