checklist to winterize my travel trailer

#CHECKLIST TO WINTERIZE MY TRAVEL TRAILER HOW TO#
#CHECKLIST TO WINTERIZE MY TRAVEL TRAILER CRACKED#
#CHECKLIST TO WINTERIZE MY TRAVEL TRAILER INSTALL#
#CHECKLIST TO WINTERIZE MY TRAVEL TRAILER MANUAL#

If you're not crazy about the idea of putting antifreeze in your plumbing system, winterizing your travel trailer with compressed air is an alternative to consider.

#CHECKLIST TO WINTERIZE MY TRAVEL TRAILER HOW TO#

The Blowout Method: How to Winterize a Travel Trailer Using Air

While you need to protect all of these appliances, each one requires different procedures.

#CHECKLIST TO WINTERIZE MY TRAVEL TRAILER MANUAL#

Refer to your owner's manual for detailed, specific instructions on winterizing your ice maker, dishwasher and washing machine. Pour 2 cups of antifreeze into your toilet bowl, letting it drain into the black tank. This lets the antifreeze protect the drain traps, and it flows into your gray tank.

Pour antifreeze into the drains: Pour a cup of RV antifreeze into all your shower and sink drains.

Then, turn off the pump and open a faucet to let off the pressure and close all your faucets. Repeat this process with every faucet, starting from closest and ending with furthest.

Turn the water pump on to let the antifreeze pull into your water system: Open the cold and hot valves at the faucet closest to your pump, and when you see antifreeze, close the valves.

#CHECKLIST TO WINTERIZE MY TRAVEL TRAILER INSTALL#

If your travel trailer doesn't include one, you can install an aftermarket bypass kit.

Connect the pump converter kit:Once you've connected the water pump, put the tube into the jug of antifreeze, opening the kit's valve.

Then, close your pressure relief valve, loosely reinstalling the anode rod or drain plug for safekeeping until it's time to de-winterize. Use a rinsing wand to flush out any sediment. With the appropriate wrench, take off the anode or drain plug and let it drain out. So before you drain it, open the pressure relief valve, which depressurizes the tank, and leave it open.

Drain your water heater: Never drain your water heater while it's still hot or pressurized.

Drain the fresh water holding tank: You will do this using the low point of the tank drain.

If you can't locate them, you should be able to find out where they are in your owner's manual. You should also open all the low-point drains on your trailer to let out the water.

Open faucets and flush toilet: Open all of the faucets in your travel trailer and let the excess water drain.

However, if yours does not, you can buy and install an aftermarket bypass kit for the water heater.

Bypass the water heater: There is a good chance your RV has a factory-installed bypass kit.

Take out and bypass your inline water filters: Newer RVs often come with pre-installed bypasses, but if your camper doesn't have one, you'll need to get a water filter bypass hose, which you can install when the filter is out.

When winterizing a travel trailer with antifreeze, start by completely draining your black and gray water tanks and disconnecting your travel trailer from its outside water source. Be sure you use non-toxic antifreeze made specifically for RVs and travel trailers. How much antifreeze you'll need depends on how big your water system is, but you can expect to use 2 to 3 gallons. We'll go over the steps for each process below. However, if you're storing your travel camper in a warmer region or inside, the antifreeze method may not be necessary.

Using antifreeze is considered the best way to winterize a travel trailer and will better protect your pipes than the compressed air method, as the air cannot blow out all of the water in the pipes. The antifreeze method involves filling your water lines with antifreeze so they don't freeze, and the compressed air method involves blowing out your water lines using compressed air. There are two main ways to protect the water lines in your travel trailer - with antifreeze and with compressed air. As you can imagine, repairing this issue is costly and stressful.

#CHECKLIST TO WINTERIZE MY TRAVEL TRAILER CRACKED#

If your tanks or water lines freeze, this can lead to cracked or broken pipes, fittings and tubing. The most important aspect of winterizing your travel trailer is protecting its plumbing system from freezing weather. In this guide, we'll show you the steps to winterize your travel trailer and provide additional tips so when spring rolls around, your trailer is in the same condition that you left it. Checklist for Winterizing Your Travel TrailerĪs winter approaches, it's time to begin preparing your travel trailer for cold weather and invading creatures - a process known as winterization.Mistakes to Avoid When Winterizing Your Travel Trailer.Storing Your Travel Trailer During the Winter.Winterizing the Exterior of Your Travel Trailer.Winterizing the Interior of Your Travel Trailer.

Checklist to winterize my travel trailer