Preparing your RV for winter is crucial to protect its plumbing and appliances from freezing temperatures. Follow this checklist to ensure your RV is ready for the cold season.
- Drain Water Systems: Empty the fresh water tank, gray water tank, and black water tank.
- Bypass Water Heater: Install a bypass kit to prevent antifreeze from entering the water heater.
- Flush Water Lines: Use a non-toxic RV antifreeze to flush the water lines and prevent freezing.
- Check Seals and Weather Stripping: Inspect and replace any worn seals or weather stripping to keep out moisture.
- Store Batteries: Remove batteries and store them in a cool, dry place, or keep them charged in the RV.
- Cover Your RV: Use a breathable cover to protect your RV from snow and ice accumulation.
- Inspect Roof and Gutters: Clear debris from the roof and gutters to prevent water buildup.
By following this checklist, you can help ensure your RV remains in good condition throughout the winter months. For more tips or assistance, visit Turner RVs, your trusted Boise-area RV dealership.
Details That Often Get Missed When Winterizing
The basic steps above cover the big systems, but a few smaller items are where freeze damage most often shows up in spring. Working through them while you winterize saves time and repair bills later.
Plumbing extras
- Low-point drains: Open them and leave the faucets open while draining so trapped water can escape from the lowest sections of line.
- Water heater tank: Before bypassing, drain it fully by removing the drain plug or anode rod. Make sure the heater is off and the water has cooled first.
- Every fixture: Run antifreeze through each faucet, hot and cold, until it comes out pink. Include the shower, any outdoor shower, and the toilet valve. Pour a little down each drain so the P-traps are protected.
- Appliances with water: Ice makers, washing machines and some water filters need their own steps. Check the owner's manual, and remove filter cartridges before adding antifreeze.
Interior and pests
Clean out the refrigerator and prop the doors open to stop mildew. Remove food, and seal gaps around plumbing and wiring entry points so mice can't get in. Moisture absorbers help in a closed-up coach, but check them during the season.
Tires and chassis
Inflate tires to the recommended pressure. Cover them to limit UV exposure, and use blocks or leveling pads so they aren't sitting on bare ground. On motorhomes, top off the fuel tank and add a fuel stabilizer. Run the generator briefly according to the manufacturer's guidance so the stabilizer circulates.
Check in during the season
Idaho winters can bring long cold spells and heavy snow loads. Visit the RV every few weeks if you can. Look for roof snow buildup, check that the cover is secure, top up battery charge, and look for signs of leaks or pests.
If you'd rather have a technician handle winterizing or the spring de-winterizing, our service and parts team can help. You can also browse more RV ownership guides for seasonal tips.
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