Winterizing our Trailer

Tools and Materials

Several simple tools and some materials are needed to winterize our travel trailer:

  • 2 gallons of RV (non-toxic) antifreeze
  • 1 1/16” socket and ratchet to remove water heater drain plug
  • Small Phillips head screwdriver
  • Teflon plumbers tape to reinstall water heater drain plug
  • Paper towels
  • Water heater spray tool

Necessary Steps

There are several steps necessary to winterize our trailer:

  • Turn off the water pump
  • Empty sinks of water and stored items
  • Open water heater release valve
  • Remove the water heater drain plug, inspect for replacement
  • Drain water heater
  • Use a water heater spray tool to wash out the water heater
  • Drain fresh water tank
  • Bypass water heater
  • Turn the water pump valve to draw antifreeze from a bottle instead of water from the fresh water tank
  • Insert the water pump intake hose into an antifreeze bottle
  • Turn on the water pump
  • Run cold and hot water faucets in all sinks and showers (don’t forget outside sinks and showers) until antifreeze flows
  • Run toilet until antifreeze flows
  • Poor cup of antifreeze down each drain
  • Wipeout sinks
  • Turn off the water pump
  • Wrap water heater drain plug with Teflon tape and replace it
  • Close water heater release valve
  • Replace water heater cover
  • Close freshwater tank valve
  • Remove used propane tanks, fill and replace
  • Turn off main battery switch
css.php