How to Winterize a Camper
In 2022, over seven million households will go camping for fun.
Camping allows you to enjoy the beautiful natural side of the United States. However, things change when the seasons start changing. Camping in winter conditions is much different than camping in midsummer heat.
If you’re planning on camping in the winter, you need to take different steps to ensure the camper is covered correctly and your ice melting system can keep up with the cold and snow.
Below is a guide on how to winterize a camper for the first time.
How to Winterize a Camper: Supplies You’ll Need
Before winterizing your camper, you must ensure you have all the supplies you need.
Youll need:
- Antifreeze
- RV-specific antifreeze
- Water heater by-pass kit
- Holding tank antifreeze wand
- Air compressor
- Hand pump
- Water filter
Once you have all your supplies, you must start draining the fresh water tank and the water heater. Next, you must add antifreeze to the toilet bowl and flush it a few times. Then, you need to run water through all the faucets until you see the antifreeze coming out.
Draining the Water System
If you’re planning to store your camper for the winter, you’ll need to winterize it to prevent damage from freezing temperatures. A critical step in winterizing a trailer is draining the water system. It includes draining the fresh water tank, the grey water tank, and the black water tank.
You’ll also need to disconnect the water heater, hoses, or other water lines. Once the water system is drained, you can add antifreeze to the freshwater tank to prevent freezing. Winterizing your camper will help it stay in good condition and prepare for your next camping adventure.
Winterizing Plumbing
One of the most important things when doing camper winterization is to winterize the plumbing. You can do this by draining the fresh water tank and lines and adding antifreeze to the system. The antifreeze will keep the pipes from freezing and bursting.
One important factor a camper will consider when going to a camp is the vehicle. If you don’t have your own car, you can definitely rent a van. There are lots of vans you can rent, if you are looking for the right van that suits your need, visit recvan.com.
Securing the Camper for the Winter
Pull the camper onto level ground, and then chock the wheels. Next, disconnect the water line from the fixture and drain the fresh water tank and the water heater. It helps keep the camper from moving during winds and prevents it from tipping over if snow and ice accumulate on one side.
Doing this will prevent any water from freezing and causing pipes to burst. After that, open all the faucets in the camper to allow all the water to drain. Once the water is drained, close all the taps.
Check Your Camper Before Use in the Spring
Follow these steps on how to winterize a camper. First, clean the camper thoroughly and then cover it with a tarp. Next, disconnect the water and electricity and add antifreeze to the plumbing system.
Assuming you have a camper that will be exposed to the elements during the winter months, there are some essential steps you need to take to winterize it.
Check out some of our other articles for all the information you need to make your adventures as satisfying as possible.
