How to Winterize Your RV: Protecting Your Home on Wheels from Freezing Temperatures

The first time I watched water expand and crack a pipe in my RV's plumbing system, I learned an expensive lesson about physics and procrastination. It was late November in Colorado, and I'd been telling myself "just one more weekend trip" before winterizing. That burst pipe cost me $800 and taught me that water doesn't care about your camping plans – it freezes at 32°F whether you're ready or not.

Winterizing an RV isn't just about draining some water and calling it good. It's about understanding how cold infiltrates every vulnerable system in your rolling home and knowing exactly which battles you need to fight. After fifteen years of RV ownership and helping countless neighbors through their first winterization, I've developed strong opinions about what actually matters versus what's just paranoid overkill.

The Water System: Your Primary Battlefield

Let me be blunt: if you do nothing else, protect your water system. This is where 90% of winter damage happens, and it's almost always preventable. The process isn't complicated, but the order matters tremendously.

Start by draining everything. And I mean everything – not just the fresh water tank. Your water heater holds 6-10 gallons that people constantly forget about. Turn off the water heater first (both electric and propane if you have both), then open the drain plug. While that's draining, open every single faucet in your RV, including the outside shower if you have one. Don't forget the toilet – flush it several times.

Now here's where people mess up: they think gravity will get all the water out. It won't. You need compressed air to blow out those lines. I use a simple blow-out plug that connects to my air compressor – set it to 30-40 PSI maximum. Any higher and you risk damaging seals. Work systematically from one end of the RV to the other, opening each faucet until only air comes out.

The antifreeze debate rages in RV forums, but I'll tell you what actually works. After blowing out the lines, I still add RV antifreeze (the pink stuff, never automotive antifreeze). Call me paranoid, but I've never had a freeze-related repair bill since I started doing both. Pour it directly into the drains, put about a cup in each toilet bowl, and run it through the water pump if you're leaving it installed.

The Forgotten Victims: Appliances and Hidden Water

Your refrigerator's ice maker line will freeze and crack if you ignore it. Disconnect it completely and blow it out separately. The washing machine, if you're fancy enough to have one, needs special attention too. Run a cycle with antifreeze, then disconnect and drain all hoses.

I once helped a friend who'd winterized everything perfectly – except the water filter housing under his kitchen sink. It held just enough water to freeze, expand, and crack the plastic housing. Twenty dollars worth of damage, but it leaked all over his cabinet when he de-winterized in spring. Check every single component that touches water.

Battery Management: The Silent Killer

Cold doesn't directly kill batteries – neglect does. A fully charged battery can survive temperatures down to -75°F, but a discharged battery will freeze at 20°F. The problem is that batteries self-discharge over time, especially in cold weather.

If you're storing your RV where you have power access, keep the batteries on a smart charger. Not a trickle charger – those old-school units will overcharge and boil your batteries dry. Get a proper multi-stage charger that maintains without overcharging.

No power where you store? Remove the batteries entirely. Store them somewhere that stays above freezing, and charge them monthly. Yes, it's a pain hauling batteries around, but it beats buying new ones every spring. Deep cycle batteries aren't cheap anymore – protect your investment.

Sealing the Envelope: Moisture is the Enemy

Winter storage isn't just about freezing – it's about moisture control. Condensation forms when warm, moist air meets cold surfaces. In a closed-up RV, this creates a perfect environment for mold and mildew.

I learned this lesson in my second year of RV ownership. Opened up my perfectly winterized trailer in April to find fuzzy green growth on half my ceiling. The smell... well, let's just say my wife made me clean it alone. Now I'm religious about moisture control.

Open every cabinet, closet, and drawer. Prop open the refrigerator and freezer doors. Some people remove cushions entirely – I just stand them on edge to allow air circulation. Place moisture absorbers throughout the RV, but don't rely on those little packets. I use a bucket of calcium chloride crystals in the main living area and smaller containers in the bedroom and bathroom.

The Exterior: More Than Just a Cover

RV covers spark heated debates. The cheap ones trap moisture and do more harm than good. Quality breathable covers work well but cost serious money. I've gone back and forth over the years and settled on a compromise: I cover my roof only. Most UV damage happens up top, and a roof cover is manageable for one person to install.

Before covering anything, inspect and reseal as needed. Temperature swings make sealants expand and contract, creating gaps where water infiltrates. Pay special attention to roof seams, windows, and anywhere different materials meet. I use self-leveling sealant on the roof and non-sag sealant on vertical surfaces.

Tire care matters more than most people realize. Inflate to maximum sidewall pressure – tires lose pressure in cold weather. If possible, park on boards rather than directly on ground or concrete. Some fanatics jack up their RV to take weight off the tires completely. I think that's overkill unless you're storing for more than six months.

Pest Prevention: The Unwanted Winter Guests

Mice view your RV as a luxury winter resort. They'll chew through walls, nest in your insulation, and leave calling cards everywhere. I've tried every solution marketed – ultrasonic devices (useless), dryer sheets (temporary at best), and Irish Spring soap (makes your RV smell like a gym locker).

What actually works? Physical barriers and poison. Stuff steel wool in every possible entry point – around pipes, cables, and any gap bigger than a pencil. Place poison bait stations inside (if you don't have pets) and outside around the RV. Yes, it seems harsh, but it's better than rewiring your entire RV come spring.

Engine and Generator Considerations

If you have a motorhome, the engine needs attention too. Change the oil before storage – old oil contains acids that corrode engine parts. Fill the fuel tank completely and add stabilizer. A full tank prevents condensation from forming inside.

Run the engine monthly if possible, but don't just idle it for five minutes. Get it up to operating temperature and keep it there for at least 30 minutes. Short runs do more harm than good by creating condensation in the exhaust system.

Generators suffer from neglect more than engines. Exercise yours monthly under load – run the air conditioner or microwave, not just idle. Change the oil before storage and keep the fuel tank full with stabilized gas. Diesel generators are more forgiving, but they still need regular exercise.

The Mental Game: Accepting Imperfection

Here's something RV dealers won't tell you: perfect winterization doesn't exist. Something always gets missed, breaks anyway, or develops a problem over winter. The goal isn't perfection – it's preventing catastrophic damage.

I've watched people spend entire weekends obsessing over every detail, creating 47-point checklists, and still have issues come spring. Meanwhile, my neighbor does the basics in two hours and rarely has problems. The difference? He accepts that RVs require maintenance and budgets accordingly.

Regional Realities

Winterization in Phoenix differs vastly from winterization in Minneapolis. If you're in a mild climate where it rarely drops below freezing, you might get away with minimal precautions. But don't gamble based on historical averages – climate patterns are shifting, and that once-in-a-decade freeze will find every vulnerability.

I lived in Texas for three years and watched locals scramble during unexpected cold snaps. The RV parts stores sold out of antifreeze, pipe insulation disappeared from hardware stores, and repair shops booked solid for months. A little prevention beats panic buying every time.

The Spring Surprise

No matter how thoroughly you winterize, de-winterization brings surprises. Budget time and money for spring repairs. That's not pessimism – it's realism based on years of experience. Seals dry out, batteries sulfate despite your best efforts, and mice find ways inside locked compartments.

Keep perspective though. RVs are complex machines exposed to harsh elements. They require maintenance. If you wanted something maintenance-free, you'd stay in hotels. We choose RVs because they let us bring our homes to beautiful places. A little winter prep is a small price for that freedom.

Final Thoughts

Winterizing an RV becomes routine after a few years. You develop your own rhythm, shortcuts that work for your specific model, and opinions about what matters most. The key is starting with solid fundamentals and adapting based on experience.

Don't let perfect become the enemy of good. A basic winterization done in October beats a perfect one planned for December that never happens because an early freeze arrives first. Trust me on that one – I've got the repair bills to prove it.

Remember, every RV is different. What works for my fifth wheel might not apply to your Class B van. Use this information as a starting point, but learn your specific RV's quirks. Join model-specific forums, talk to other owners, and don't be afraid to ask questions. The RV community generally loves helping newcomers avoid expensive mistakes.

Most importantly, don't let winterization anxiety keep you from enjoying late-season camping. Some of my best memories come from those crisp October trips when campgrounds empty out and nature puts on its annual color show. Just know your limits, watch the weather forecast, and be ready to winterize when the time comes.

Because when that first hard freeze hits, your RV won't care that you meant to winterize next weekend. Water expands, pipes burst, and physics always wins. But with proper preparation, your RV will emerge from winter storage ready for another season of adventures. And isn't that what this is all about?

Authoritative Sources:

Woodall's RV Maintenance Handbook. Good Sam Enterprises, 2019.

National RV Dealers Association. RV Service Technician Handbook. RVDA Publications, 2020.

Moeller, Bill, and Jan Moeller. RV Repair & Maintenance Manual. McGraw-Hill, 2018.

Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. "RV Quick Facts." RVIA.org, 2021.

U.S. Department of Energy. "Energy Efficiency in Recreational Vehicles." Energy.gov, 2020.