Here is a full guide on how to winterize a travel trailer with antifreeze. Antifreeze is a sad addition to your RV’s winterization routine for two reasons. To begin, your summer of enjoyment is drawing to a close. And second, because paying someone else to accomplish something can be costly. It’s a simple procedure that RV owners can perform without visiting a shop.
So here is how to winterize a travel trailer with antifreeze, you need to gather the material needed first, Remove All Water From The System, Ensure That The Lines Are Not Obstructed, add RV antifreeze then put on the water pump to circulate it around your camper vehicle.
How To Winterize A Travel Trailer With Antifreeze
Antifreeze is a critical component of preparing an RV for the harsher winter months and should not be overlooked. Preparing an RV for winter is vital to avoid freezing in the plumbing system, which can result in a variety of problems down the line.
How To Add Antifreeze To A Recreational Vehicle
If it’s time to store your RV camper for the winter, be sure to read the remainder of this article to ensure you have all the supplies you’ll need, step-by-step directions, and an understanding of the common mistakes to avoid.
By following these measures, you can ensure that your RV camper remains operational for years to come.
Read Also:ย [Full Guide] How To Bring Golf Clubs On A Plane
How To Add Antifreeze To An Rv Camper In Six Simple Steps
Installing antifreeze in your RV is a simple task that can be completed without the assistance of a professional mechanic.
And, of course, without the mechanic’s bill. Simply follow these procedures to complete the process on your own.
1. Amass Supplies
Investing in high-quality goods is a long-term investment. As an RV owner, you’ll find these quite useful.
Additionally, you can search online RV owner groups to see if anyone has these goods they’re ready to lend or sell.
What you’ll need to put antifreeze in your RV is as follows:
Antifreeze for RVs and boats that is non-toxic
Read Also:ย How To Fold Pants For Travel [Tips & Tricks]
Bypassing the water heater
Cleaning and flushing the black water holding tank with a tank cleaning wand. If your tank is equipped with a built-in flushing system, you will not require this.
Hand tools required for removing and installing drain plugs
If you lack any of these items, a Winter Readiness Kit can help you get started. They include a hand pump, a blow out plug, antifreeze concentration, and a small dehumidifier.
Which antifreeze is the best for RVs?
Antifreeze for your camper should be non-toxic and biodegradable. Select a product with a minimum burst protection rating of -50ยฐF (-45ยฐC).
Several excellent options are available on Amazon: Splash and Star Brite.
Once you’ve gathered all of your supplies, you’re ready to go. To add antifreeze to your RV, follow these procedures.
Read Also:ย How To Winterize A Travel Trailer Using Air
2. Remove All Water From The System
You must ensure that the water system has been completely drained. This is accomplished by opening all hot and cold faucets, as well as the toilet and outside shower.
Additionally, you will need to open the low-point drain lines; one for each of the hot and cold water lines.
3. Ensure That The Lines Are Not Obstructed
You’ll want to blow out the lines to ensure they’re completely clear. You can follow the instructions below to blow out the water lines.
- You should circumvent any inline water filters.
- Drain the fresh water tank, taking care not to include the gray and black holding tanks.
- Drain the water heater and water lines.
- To drain the water, open the hot and cold faucets.
- Connect the blown plug to the inlet valve of your water heater.
- Connect the opposite end of the blowout plug with an air compressor.
- Adjust the air pressure to between 30 and 40 psi to avoid causing damage to the water line.
- Blow forceful air into the lines using the air compressor.
- Open your water valves one at a time to clear the lines of excess water.
- Remember to shut off the valve after blowing out each line.
- Repeat steps 10 and 11 to blow out all water lines.
4. Avoid Using The Water Heater
You will need to bypass the water heater using the water heater bypass. By bypassing the water heater, you avoid the need to add antifreeze to it.
Additionally, you should bypass or remove your filter prior to adding antifreeze to your system.
Locate your heater. It is most likely positioned on the exterior of your van, beneath a huge cover with a screen on the upper right-hand side.
Read Also:ย How To Winterize An Rv Without Antifreeze [Complete Guide]
Activate the screen. Behind it is an anode that is often removed when the tank is drained for winterization. Because the anode becomes loose with age, it should be replaced when it begins to appear aged. For the anode rod, you’ll need a 1- 1/16 socket.
Now enter your RV and look for the heater on the inside. To reach it, you may need to remove a cover.
The bottom of the heater receives cold water, while the top of the heater receives hot water. If your RV has a bypass valve, a third pipe will link these two pipes directly to one another.
The valve’s lever should be oriented in the direction in which you want the water to flow. If it is twisted 90 degrees in the direction of the bypass line, it will flow into the bypass line rather than into the tank.
To prevent antifreeze from entering the hot water tank, both valves on the hot and cold water lines should be turned off.
Remove the heater’s fuse to prevent it from operating when there is no water in it.
Read Also:ย How To Winterize A Travel Trailer/RV [Complete Guide]
5. Water Pump Conversion
After that, you will install a water pump converter kit.
This enables us to bypass the freshwater tan and run the antifreeze through your water lines via the water pump.
6. Incorporate Antifreeze
You are now prepared to add the antifreeze. This will be accomplished in a series of steps to ensure that you have covered everything that will require it.
7. Activate The Water Pump
Open the closest faucet to you. You will turn on the hot and then the cold water until pink fluid is visible. After that, you’ll need to replace all faucets, including low point valves. Remember to take showers (both indoors and outside) and flush the toilet until you see antifreeze.
After that, you’ll go ahead and pour 1 cup of antifreeze down each drain.
When finished, turn off all faucets.
Here is a video guide on how to winterize a travel trailer with antifreeze
What To Avoid
You want to avoid contaminating the freshwater tank with antifreeze. Attempting to inject it through the pump into your system will consume a significant amount of antifreeze. Additionally, even when the tank is completely empty, there is still some water at the bottom that will react with the antifreeze, diminishing its effectiveness.
Ensure that the hot water tank is entirely drained. You must remove the drain stopper and open the pressure pop-off valve at the same time. If the residual water is not entirely drained, it can freeze, perhaps causing harm.
Bear in mind that you should also winterize your sinks. If antifreeze is not poured down sinks, water can accumulate in the curved part and freeze, causing damage.
Avoid using excessive antifreeze. Two gallons should be plenty to winterize an RV camper completely.
Remember to clean the grey and black water tanks as well. It is recommended that you fill them with fresh water with your fine chemicals and leave them for one week before draining. This will help you avoid any unwanted odors when you reopen the next season.
Don’t forget to maintain any equipment that contain water, such as an ice maker. You’ll want to winterize anything that has water running through it.
Why Is This Important?
When the temperature gets colder, any water in the RV camper runs the risk of freezing. If this water freezes and expands, it might bust the pipes, causing damage and potentially rendering the RV camper useless.
Depending on the amount of remaining water in the pipes, bypassing the winterization process could prove pricey. It’s preferable to obtain the supplies necessary to DIY the antifreeze process than to take a chance on frozen plumbing.
How Many Gallons Of Antifreeze To Winterize A Travel Trailer
Depending on the size of your RV, you’ll need anywhere from 2 to 3 gallons of antifreeze. c) Use the water pump in your RV. It is necessary to install a pump bypass kit if the RV’s fresh water tank is not already equipped if you intend to use the water pump.
How Much Rv Antifreeze Do I Need To Winterize My Trailer?
a non-toxic antifreeze for your RV (the exact amount depends on your plumbing system’s configuration and length. Generally speaking, two to three quarts is enough.).
Do You Leave Rv Antifreeze In Lines?
Although it is not required, blowing out the lines is highly recommended. Your antifreeze will be diluted by water remaining in the lines, requiring additional antifreeze to keep your RV safe. Close all faucets and drains, then flush the toilets. If your RV has an ice maker, disconnect the water supply.
Do You Put Rv Antifreeze In The Freshwater Tank?
With a hand pump, it is possible to backflow the antifreeze through a faucet spout, but you may use the RV’s water pump to pump it throughout its system as well, if you choose.
Can I Dump Rv Antifreeze On The Ground?
Despite the fact that RV antifreeze is non-toxic and biodegradable, you should not throw it on the ground, even if it is. Dumping RV antifreeze on the ground has the potential to harm the ecosystem on multiple levels due to the fact that it is still a chemical substance. RV antifreeze contains combustible elements, too.
Do You Have To Use Antifreeze To Winterize An Rv?
What is it? Consequently, RV antifreeze isn’t just for storing in frigid climates, but it’s also for actual use. In order to winterize an RV for cold-weather camping, antifreeze is widely available and can be utilized.
Should You Put Antifreeze In Your Black Tank?
As long as you’re using antifreeze in your RV, you should only use it in your waste tanks (never in your freshwater tank), and you’ll probably need to keep adding it to keep it working.
Will Rv Holding Tanks Freeze?
RV holding tanks will freeze if exposed to temps below zero for an extended period of time. Some RVs are capable of coping with the cold weather, while others freeze more easily. In order to avoid tank freezing, four-season RVs usually incorporate heated underbelly and tank heaters. However, these devices can fail.
Can You Put Rv Antifreeze In Hot Water Heater?
RV Antifreeze can be used in the hot water system. The antifreeze will not harm the tank, but it should be flushed out before using it again next spring to avoid corrosion.
How Do You Flush Antifreeze Out Of A Camper?
Dissolve it with water and pour it down the drains, or sprinkle baking soda on each drain. Rinse the system several times until the water no longer smells or tastes foul. To flush antifreeze from your RV water system, you can use a garden hose or municipal water supply instead of your RV water pump.
Can You Reuse Rv Antifreeze?
It’s safe to reuse RV antifreeze because it’s nontoxic. Any that have been mixed with water should not be reused due to the fact that they may not protect the pipes.
How Long Can You Leave Antifreeze In Rv?
For RVs, antifreeze is rarely out of date. It has a shelf life of one to five years if properly closed, during which time you can use it whenever you like. Antifreeze for an RV, on the other hand, is different from that found in a typical automobile.
What Is The Difference Between Rv Antifreeze And Regular Antifreeze?
Auto antifreeze and RV antifreeze are vastly different products. In the same way that marine antifreeze is non-toxic, RV antifreeze is safe for use in the plumbing system of an RV. Using auto antifreeze in your boat engine, on the other hand, is hazardous and should be avoided.
What Color Is Rv Antifreeze?
RV antifreeze is commonly referred to as “RV & Marine Antifreeze,” regardless of the manufacturer, and it is typically pink in color. In spite of the fact that Dollar General carries antifreeze, their products are ineffective because they are for cars, not RVs.
Will Rv Antifreeze Melt Ice?
Unfortunately, the answer is no. Antifreeze for your RV won’t help you with the ice melting problem. All residual water from pipes, faucets, and other areas is flushed out with RV antifreeze, which is then utilized to prepare the RV plumbing for the winter.
The Final Verdict
By properly winterizing your RV each year, you can keep it in good condition and free of damage during the long, harsh winter months.
In the spring, you can enjoy the great outdoors without having to replace your water lines or spend thousands of dollars on repairs before you can even use your RV. So, if you have additional information on how to winterize a travel trailer with antifreeze, then drop it via the comment section.
