Can I Still Use Camper Winterize?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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If you’re boondocking or camping in very cold places, you can winterize your RV and still go camping. You won’t be able to fill your fresh water tank or water heater, so you’ll need to rely on careful use of water jugs and antifreeze.

What temp do you need to winterize camper?

You should winterize your camper or RV if the temperature drops to

below 35 degrees during the day and below 30 degrees at night

, especially if you won’t use it or have it powered.

Is it too late to winterize RV?

While some folks think that it is okay to wait to winterize your RV until you have a full 24 hours with temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the truth is

you could have damage from even a few hours with temperatures below freezing

.

How long can a camper stay winterized?

Thanks – Andy. there are examples of winterized rvs that go 2-3 winters without issues. the antifreeze does evaporate, although more slowly than water. 2 cups placed in toilet bowl, to protect the seals might be gone is

3-4 months

depending on weather.

Do all campers need to be winterized?


If you live in an area where freezing temperatures aren’t a major concern, you may not need to winterize your camper fully

. During winter, the biggest concern is the freezing temperatures causing water in your water lines to expand and cause damage.

How do you un winterize a camper?

  1. Check Your Tires. …
  2. Inspect the Exterior. …
  3. Charge and Reinstall Your Batteries. …
  4. Flush Your Water System. …
  5. Sanitize Your Water System. …
  6. Check for Leaky Pipes. …
  7. Replace Propane Tanks. …
  8. Check Propane Appliances.

Do you have to use antifreeze to winterize an RV?

So, antifreeze is not only used for storing an RV in cold winter climates, but also for using it.

RV antifreeze is readily available, and can be used to winterize an RV that will be used for cold-weather camping

.

How much does it cost to winterize camper?

How Much Does it Cost to Winterize an RV? It costs anywhere from

$130 to $170

for a basic winterizing package at an RV dealer, depending on the size and class of your RV. But if you consider that you’ll probably be paying that same cost to de-winterize the RV in the spring, those costs can really add up over the years.

How cold does it have to be for RV pipes to freeze?

In general, the temperature has to dip below freezing (

32 F)

for approximately 24 hours for RV pipes to freeze. This is all dependent on many factors such as if you have an enclosed underbelly, heated underbelly, heat tape, insulation, or other preventative measures in place.

Do you need to winterize RV if stored inside?


Winterize the inside of your camper

.

The majority will help prevent rodents and other pests from making your camper their home. These steps will also help prevent unwanted odors, moisture build-up and damage. The cleaner, more streamlined the RV when put into storage, the better the next season will start up.

Does RV antifreeze get old?

Does RV antifreeze go bad?

As long as it’s stored properly and the cap is tightly sealed, RV antifreeze will typically have a shelf life between 1 to 4 years but can often remain effective long after that

. Most brands will have an expiration date as well to help guide you.

Does RV antifreeze dry up?

Antifreeze for RVs is inexpensive, widely available, environmentally friendly, and

will not evaporate or freeze

. It’s designed specifically for this purpose. Pour some RV antifreeze into the fixtures, or remember to run some water through them every few months, much like with floor drains.

Can I put RV antifreeze in my freshwater tank?

The RV Doctor’s Orders

It can be easier to pump it backwards through a faucet spout using a backflow kit with a hand pump, but

it is totally acceptable to pour the antifreeze directly into the fresh tank

and use the RV’s water pump to pump it throughout the system as well.

Can RV antifreeze go down the drain?

So, can RV Antifreeze go down the drain?

RV Antifreeze used on your RV water lines can be safely dumped down the drain

, its nontoxic, and is in fact used in many cosmetics. Automotive antifreeze (Ethylene Glycol) is toxic and should be disposed of safely.

What happens if you get RV antifreeze in your water heater?

Will RV antifreeze hurt my water heater?

The antifreeze won’t hurt the tank

, but don’t forget to flush it out before firing it up next spring. This will help you get the antifreeze flushed out without messing up your existing winterize job on the rest of the plumbing.

How many gallons of RV antifreeze Do I need to winterize?

Non-toxic RV antifreeze (The amount depends on the layout and length of your plumbing lines.

Two to three gallons

will normally do).

How much does Camping World winterize RV cost?

So, we checked at our local Camping World and they wanted to charge us

about $130

to winterize the camper. That said, the folks behind the counter said we could easily do it ourselves with the purchase of a bypass valve which would all you to pump antifreeze into the system.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.