1. Winterize the water system.

Winterizing your RV’s water system is your biggest job when preparing it for the cold months ahead. If water is left in the system and freezes, it can cause major problems.

Here’s how you can prevent that from happening:

• Disconnect the outside water source if your RV is connected to service.
• Drain the water system from the cold, hot and freshwater tanks.
• Open the petcocks to empty the pipes.
• Flush the toilets and open the faucets to remove any remaining water.
• Empty your water heater.
• If your RV does not have one, pick up a water heater by-pass kit at an RV parts and supply store.
• Add RV plumbing antifreeze to all sinks, faucets and shower drains.
• Put some down the toilet for safe measure!

Consult your owner’s manual to confirm the following:

• The location of your three tanks.
• Where to find the petcocks.
• The correct way to empty the water heater.
• How to bypass the water heater properly, if necessary.
• How much antifreeze you must add to each drain and fixture in the RV.

Contact an RV service provider if you’re unsure about winterizing your RV’s water system. They’ll ensure it’s done correctly, giving you peace of mind the system is protected until spring.

2. Put away food and attractants.

Remove all food or anything that might have a scent from your RV. Pantry items might keep fine in the cabinet all winter, but rodents and other pests will seek shelter when the weather turns. A cozy RV full of food will make the perfect home for them, and that’s the last thing you want! To avoid a pest infestation and a stressful spring, move all your food and attractants inside for the winter.

3. Check the windows and doors.

You want to keep as much cold air, moisture and wind out of the RV as possible. The doors and windows are the biggest culprits of cold air getting inside. Carefully inspect the windows and doors for gaps in the window frames or cracks in the windows themselves. You can either patch those frames or use some caulking, but make sure to seal them regardless. If there are gaps beneath the doors, install some weather caulking to protect your RV from the weather.

4. Check the vents.

An important part of your how to winterize an RV checklist is to inspect the vents. These can include plumbing and roof vents, as well as your air conditioner vent. Seal the vents to keep as much air out as possible, and check for any cracks that could let moisture in.

5. Give it a good clean.

Before you tuck it into bed for the winter, give it a thorough clean! Cleaning can help minimize the chance that mould or bacteria will grow, especially in the kitchen area and bathroom. Plus, you’ll thank yourself in the spring when you step into your sparkling clean RV, all ready to hit the road!

6. Store it carefully.

When you're done winterizing your RV, you need to consider how to store it for the winter. If your RV is parked outside, try to keep it out of the sun and invest in a durable RV cover to protect it from UV, rain and snow. If it’s a motorhome, make sure to engage the emergency parking brake before leaving it. Then, put wheel chocks down so the RV is less likely to shift.

Winterizing your RV is essential in Alberta. It will help prevent damage, extend its lifespan and ensure it’s ready for more summer adventures when the snow melts.