GoCampingAmerica.com | Posted October
    1st, 2019

    5 Mistakes to Avoid When Winterizing
    Your RV

    Happy Camper Blog

    If you’re
    getting ready to store your RV for the winter and you live in a cold climate,
    there are certain things you need to do to winterize your rig to avoid
    problems down the road. And since the last thing you want to do is winterize
    your RV the wrong way, we asked an expert, Tim Hulett, for his advice on common
    mistakes to avoid. He and his wife Tracy own Sourdough Campground in Tok,
    Alaska and Mohave RV & Marine in Fort Mohave,
    Ariz., so they know a lot about RVs.

    Here are five common mistakes to avoid:

    Mistake #1 – Pouring antifreeze into the fresh water
    tank

    Instead, Hulett recommends going to your RV dealer and purchasing
    a three-way valve so you can bypass the freshwater tank completely to
    eliminate the risk of getting antifreeze in your water
    system.

    Mistake #2 – Failing to completely drain the hot
    water heater tank

    According to Hulett, simply pulling the drain plug isn’t enough
    get the job done. You also need to open the pressure pop-off valve.
    Otherwise, the tank won’t drain completely and the remaining water will
    freeze, which can cause damage. As with your fresh water tank, you can also
    purchase a bypass kit from your RV dealer to make sure you don’t get
    antifreeze in your hot water heater tank.

    Mistake #3 – Forgetting to winterize the
    sinks

    Many RV owners forget to pour antifreeze down their kitchen and
    bathroom sinks, which means any water remaining in the p-traps (the curved
    section of piping underneath the sinks) can freeze and cause
    problems.

    Mistake #4 – Using too much
    antifreeze

    Naturally, you want to use enough to get the job done, but Hulett
    says that a common mistake RV owners make is to use too much antifreeze. He
    says that two gallons should be enough, regardless of the size of your
    rig.

    Mistake #5 – Failing to treat the grey and black
    water tanks

    If you’re getting ready to store your RV for the winter and the
    freezing temperatures in your area haven’t hit yet, Hulett advises filling
    your grey (sink and shower) and black (toilet) water tanks with fresh water,
    adding your usual chemicals, and letting them sit for a week or more before
    draining them. This will help rid the tanks of any leftover matter so you can
    avoid encountering strong odors when you open up again in the
    spring.

    Once winter is over, Hulett recommends that you have the back of
    your refrigerator serviced (dust accumulation can impair its efficiency) and
    also have your air conditioning system, furnace and hot water heater checked
    out. Also, be sure to check your tires. Even if they were in good condition
    when you put your RV into storage, having them sit idle for a number of
    months can be hard on them.

    By following these simple tips, you’ll be better prepared for your
    spring and summer road trips. To make your planning easier, go to GoCampingAmerica.com
    where you’ll find plenty of great RV parks and campgrounds to
    explore.