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