RV Winterizing Checklist: How to Prepare Your RV for Cold Weather Storage

Key Takeaways:

• Winterizing starts with protecting your water system. Water left in lines, tanks, and appliances can freeze, expand, and cause expensive damage.
• RV owners typically winterize plumbing using either compressed air to blow water from the lines or RV antifreeze to protect the plumbing. Some owners use both methods for additional protection.
• Don't overlook the water heater bypass, low-point drains, appliances, and P-traps. Small amounts of trapped water can still cause problems during a hard freeze.
• If your RV remains connected to reliable shore power during storage, a compatible smart thermostat such as the EasyTouch™ RV can maintain a low-temperature setpoint and provide remote temperature control. This can provide an additional layer of protection for plumbing located within the heated portion of the RV, but it does not replace water-system winterization.

Winterizing your RV is an important part of preparing it for cold-weather storage. Freezing temperatures can damage water lines, fittings, valves, tanks, and appliances, sometimes without any visible sign of trouble until spring.

The good news is that winterizing is a straightforward, repeatable process once you know what to check. This checklist walks you through the major steps, from protecting the water system to preparing the interior and exterior for storage.

Download the RV Winterizing Checklist and use it as your step-by-step guide before storing your RV for the season.

When Should You Winterize Your RV?

Winterize before freezing weather is expected in your area. As a practical rule, don't wait until temperatures are regularly approaching or dropping below 32°F. A single unexpected freeze can damage plumbing that still contains water.

If you're in a northern climate, that window often falls in October or early November. In milder regions, you may have until December or later. If you plan to use your RV intermittently through winter, you may need to winterize it between trips whenever freezing temperatures are expected.

How Do You Winterize an RV Water System?

Winterizing the water system means removing as much water as possible and protecting the plumbing from freezing. The two common approaches are the compressed-air method and the RV-antifreeze method. Some RV owners use compressed air first and then add RV antifreeze to the plumbing and traps for additional protection.

Because plumbing layouts vary considerably between RVs, always follow your RV manufacturer's winterization procedure as the final authority.

Here’s the general process:

1. Drain the fresh water tank and let it empty completely.
2. Drain the gray and black holding tanks at an appropriate dump station and flush the black tank according to your RV manufacturer's instructions.
3. Turn off the water heater and allow it to cool completely. Drain the water heater according to the manufacturer's instructions.
4. Bypass the water heater using the bypass valve so you don't waste antifreeze filling the water-heater tank when using the antifreeze method. Follow your RV manufacturer's winterization procedure. 
5. Check the water pump and filter. Drain the water-pump strainer/filter bowl if your RV is equipped with one, following the manufacturer's instructions.
6. Open all low-point drains and every faucet, including the outside shower, to let lines empty.
7. If using the compressed-air method, blow out the lines with regulated compressed air at low pressure, following your RV manufacturer's maximum pressure specification.
8. If using the RV-antifreeze method, draw antifreeze into the plumbing system using the RV's winterization connection or pump-bypass procedure. Run each hot and cold fixture until RV antifreeze appears. Some owners use compressed air first and then RV antifreeze for additional protection.

Use only RV water-system antifreeze intended for use in potable-water plumbing. Never use automotive antifreeze in the RV's water system.

If your RV manufacturer's procedure specifies putting antifreeze into the fresh-water tank, follow that procedure. Otherwise, most winterization setups use a pump bypass or winterization hose to draw antifreeze directly into the plumbing rather than filling the fresh-water tank.

Don’t Forget the P-Traps

Add RV antifreeze to the P-traps under sinks and showers to protect the water that remains in those traps. This is important even when using the compressed-air method because the traps are designed to retain water.

Follow the antifreeze manufacturer's instructions for the appropriate amount. Your RV may also require antifreeze in the toilet, washer, ice maker, dishwasher, or other water-using appliances. Consult the appliance and RV owner's manuals for model-specific procedures.

What About the RV Water Heater and Appliances?

Beyond draining and bypassing the water heater, take a few minutes to protect appliances that use or retain water.

Remove any inline water filters and store them according to the manufacturer's instructions so they don't freeze and split. If your RV has a washing machine, ice maker, dishwasher, or other water-using appliance, consult its owner's manual for winterization instructions.

Empty and clean the refrigerator, then prop the doors open if recommended by the refrigerator manufacturer. This allows air circulation and can help prevent odors and moisture buildup during storage.

How Do You Protect the RV Battery in Winter?

Cold temperatures can reduce battery performance, while prolonged discharge can damage some battery types. A charged battery resists freezing far better than a depleted one.

You have two solid options. 

1. If you have a lead-acid battery: keep it fully charged and use a compatible battery maintainer, or remove it and periodically recharge it according to the manufacturer's recommendations. 
2. If you have a lithium battery: follow the battery manufacturer's cold-weather storage and charging instructions. Many lithium batteries should not be charged below a specified temperature unless they have built-in low-temperature charging protection or heating. 

The correct storage procedure depends on the battery chemistry and manufacturer, so follow the battery manufacturer's recommendations rather than using one procedure for every RV.

Should You Set Your Thermostat During Winter Storage?

If your RV stays connected to reliable shore power during storage, maintaining a low indoor temperature with a compatible thermostat can provide an additional layer of protection against freezing temperatures.

A thermostat set to maintain a minimum indoor temperature can activate the furnace when the interior temperature falls below the selected setpoint. This can help protect plumbing and other components located within the heated portion of the RV.

The EasyTouch™ RV Thermostat Replacement is well suited to this because it can control compatible RV HVAC systems with gas furnaces, in addition to air conditioning and other supported heating modes. Its built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity also let you adjust that setpoint from your phone, so you can raise or lower the furnace temperature without a trip to the storage lot.

For RV owners who keep their rig powered during storage, remote temperature control can make it easier to monitor and adjust the thermostat without visiting the storage location.

However, a thermostat should be considered an additional layer of protection, not a replacement for winterizing the water system. A power outage, furnace failure, thermostat problem, or plumbing located outside the heated area could still leave water exposed to freezing temperatures.

Learn more about the EasyTouch RV Thermostat Replacement.

How Do You Seal an RV Against Pests and Moisture?

Mice and insects look for warm shelter in winter, and a stored RV is an easy target. Seal every gap where a pest could enter, including around plumbing penetrations, wiring pass-throughs, and other openings in the RV's exterior. Use appropriate pest-resistant materials, such as steel wool or suitable sealant, depending on the size and location of the opening.

Address moisture at the same time. Trapped humidity leads to mildew and soft spots over a long storage stretch. Place moisture absorbers throughout the interior if appropriate for your storage environment. If your RV has roof vents and vent covers designed for ventilation during storage, follow the vent and cover manufacturer's recommendations for ventilation. Make sure the RV is clean and dry before closing it up.

Final Exterior and Storage Checklist

Round out your winterizing with a quick exterior pass:

• Inspect and reseal roof seams and seals to keep melting snow from finding its way inside.
• Clean the exterior so road grime and tree sap don’t sit on the finish all winter.
• Cover tires: Use appropriate tire covers to limit prolonged UV exposure and maintain the manufacturer's recommended storage pressure.
• Retract awnings fully so snow load can’t tear the fabric or bend the arms.
• Store on level ground and chock the wheels.

Work through this list the same way you did the water system, top to bottom, and nothing slips through the cracks.

Protect Your RV Before the First Freeze

Winterizing your RV comes down to protecting the systems that cold weather punishes most: your plumbing, your battery, and the interior itself. Drain and protect the water lines, bypass the water heater, guard the P-traps, maintain the battery, and seal the rig against pests and moisture, and you’ll help reduce the risk of springtime repairs for the season ahead.

Micro-Air has been engineering power management and temperature control technology since 1983, with every product manufactured, tested, and supported in the USA. If you keep your RV powered through storage and want reliable furnace control to help hold a safe minimum temperature, the EasyTouch RV thermostat replacement gives you precise command over both your furnace and AC from a single interface. Explore the EasyTouch RV to see how it fits your rig.

Note: This article is for informational purposes only; Micro-Air does not make recommendations or provide support outside of Micro-Air products.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to winterize an RV yourself?

Doing it yourself typically costs the price of a few gallons of non-toxic RV antifreeze, plus a water-heater bypass kit or blow-out plug if you don't already have them. That’s a small fraction of what a single cracked-line repair costs, which is why most owners handle it themselves.

Can you use regular antifreeze to winterize an RV?

No. Only use non-toxic RV antifreeze rated for potable water systems. Automotive antifreeze is toxic and must never enter an RV’s plumbing.

How long does it take to winterize an RV?

For most owners, a full winterization takes one to two hours once you’ve done it a time or two. Your first time may take longer as you locate low-point drains, the water heater bypass, and your fixtures.

Do you need to winterize an RV if you store it indoors?

If indoor storage stays reliably above freezing, you may be able to skip the water-system steps, but many indoor spaces are unheated. If there’s any chance of a freeze, winterize the plumbing to be safe.

Can you winterize an RV without compressed air?

Yes. The antifreeze method can protect your plumbing without compressed air when performed correctly according to the RV and antifreeze manufacturer's instructions. Compressed air simply clears standing water first so you use less antifreeze. Many owners rely on antifreeze only.

Helpful Links

• RV Thermostat Replacements
• RV Soft Starters

Related Reading

• 10 Easy Ways to Make Your RV More Energy Efficient
• Upgrading Your Dometic or Coleman RV Thermostat: What to Know Before You Buy
• Can I Use a Regular Thermostat in an RV?