How To Winterize a Trailer

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Winterizing Your Water System

When storing your RV for the winter it is necessary to protect the water system from freezing. There are two ways to winterize your RV.

Method One: Installing RV/Marine non-toxic anti-freeze in the water lines.

CAUTION
Never use windshield or automotive type anti-freeze to winterize the RV water system.

Winterize your RV water system as follows:
1 Drain the fresh water tank by opening the drain valve on the tank.
2 Drain the hot water heater by removing the drain plug, (1-1/16” socket) which is accessed by opening the exterior water heater door. Open the safety valve to allow air to enter the water heater to assist water to drain.
3 Apply teflon tape to the threads on drain plug and re-install.
4 At the rear of the hot water heater, turn the cold (inlet) valve and the hot (outlet) valve to the bypass position. This will allow for economical use of the anti-freeze by not filling up the water heater.
5 Remove the inlet hose from the water pump (hose between pump and fresh water tank)
6 Install a hose long enough to reach from the pump to your container of RV anti-freeze.
7 With the pump on, open each tap until the pink colored anti-freeze is flowing freely. Do not forget the toilet, the shower and the exterior shower.
8 Allow enough anti-freeze to flow into the P-Traps and holding tanks to prevent any water trapped in those areas from freezing.
9 Reconnect water pump to the fresh water tank
Never turn water heater on until it is filled with water

Method Two: Draining the Water Lines

Winterize your RV water system as follows:

1 Drain the fresh water tank by opening the drain valve on the tank.
2 Remove the threaded black plastic plug from water line located beside fresh water tank drain. (Low Point Drain)
3 First, hold the toilet flush valve open for approximately 5-10 seconds to allow water to drain. Open all other taps (including exterior shower) and leave open.
4 Drain the remaining water out of the water heater by removing the drain plug, (1-1/16” socket) which is accessed by opening the exterior water heater door.
5 Apply Teflon tape to the threads on water heater drain plug and re-install.
6 Remove the screened washer on the City Water Fill. Behind the washer is a white plastic one-way-valve. Using your finger, lightly push this valve in to allow a small amount of trapped water to drain out.
7 Once there is no more water draining from the low point drain or fresh water tank, switch on the 12V water pump and run for approx 10 seconds. This will clear any water in the pump head out.
8 Re-install low point drain plug.
9 Pour 2 liters of RV anti-freeze into the toilet holding tank. Pour 1 liter down the kitchen sink drain, and pour 1 liter down the shower drain.

Never turn water heater on until it is filled with water


Preparing your RV for use in the spring:
Flush fresh water tank and water lines thoroughly before using.
If you used Method 1 to winterize, turn the bypass valves to the normal position (see diagram on previous page)
Prior to operating the water heater, confirm it is full of water by briefly opening the relief valve. There should be no air present.