Winterization

[Campnjoe]

I am trying to figure out if I should winterized myself or take it to the rv dealer. I bought my camper new this year and just don't want to mess it up but it doesn't seem like it should be that difficult to do. I am very handy and do all kinds of home repairs for myself and others but for some reason this has me stumped. Any input from people that have done it would be great.

[trail-explorer]

If you blow out the lines, drop the air compressor down to about 25-30 PSI so you don't over-pressurize the air lines. (do it with air just like when you have a RV park water hooked up, but with a pressure reducer in the line for water)

[trail-explorer]

tropical_ron wrote:
... I would pay my local dealer to show me how to winterize properly. ..

Dealer service department won't likely "show you" because:
A: they want your business in the service department next year for winterizing
B: It's not a common practice to let a customer in the shop area while a tech is working on something. Typically there's a sign posted saying customers aren't allowed in the shop due to insurance regulations."

Winterizing shouldn't take more than an hour, and 1-2 gallons of RV Antifreeze. Go to Wal-Mart, they have it for $3-$4 a gallon

[BarneyS]

If you decide to use air to blow out your lines, there are available chucks and fittings that allow you to do it easily. Here are a few.

Brass blow out plug1


Brass blow out plug2


Locking air chuck


You would also want a Winterizing kit for your water pump to allow you to pump the pink antifreeze into your lines directly from the bottle and not have to put any into your fresh water tank.


To bypass your water heater, if you do not have one already installed, you would need a kit similar to this one..


I use the blow out method and then fill the lines with antifreeze and then drain and blow the antifreeze out.
This is probably overkill but it only takes a few more minutes and I have never had a problem with frozen water lines.
Our FAQ has a whole section on Winterizing your trailer. Scroll down to section #23 to read many posts about how to do it.

Hope this helps. I certainly would not pay a dealer to do the job as it only takes 1/2 hour or so from start to finish and is very easy to do.
Barney

[Dakota98]

There are several written instructions online & YouTube videos explaining both methods of winterizing. The bottom line is "it's your decision". It is NOT difficult. If you decide to do it yourself & use the "air" method, here is what I use to connect to the city water hook-up. You can also search this Forum, for "winterize". The first time, I had the Dealer do it, $65. Took the TT to them @ Noon, they called me at 1:30pm & told me it was done (????) ---- "Even A Caveman"

[brirene]

Easy job. I do mine every year and I'm pretty much a mechanical moron.

[usmc616]

Take your time to do some research and then decide for yourself. I usually do it myself.

[Greydennyhawk]

IMHO , if your TT is new, under warranty, I would get the dealer do the first Winterization. Then your covered if something goes wrong, next spring.
I had Buffalo RV do mine last year ( they have a mobile service that came to my home) and I made a video of the procedure.
How I am truly comfortable doing it myself!

[tropical_ron]

By your history, I see you have a new travel trailer. I would pay my local dealer to show me how to winterize properly. Each vehicle has its' own peculiarities. I would schedule a time when the dealer will allow you to accompany the tech when they actually do the work. We never use compressed air on the water lines. Maybe your brand of trailer recommends such? I would want a professional to teach me the correct way rather than just an OK guess that may or may not be correct. Frozen pipes and or damaged water heater is not good...Just saying. After being shown by our local dealer it takes us about 2 1/2 gallons to properly winterize each year; and about 1/2 to 1 hour to perform.

[NanciL]

Do it yourself.
It is a fifteen minute job that costs about ten ten dollars.

Jack L

[jfkmk]

If you're at all handy you can do if yourself for a fraction of what the dealer charges. I have no ice maker dish washer or wash machine so it's as straight forward as it gets. I think the dealer wants about $120 to winterized and it takes me way less than an hour and uses 1 to 1-1/2 gallon of antifreeze. You'll hear many argue nest for blowing the lines v using antifreeze. Done correctly either method works. I do both. Personal preference.

[Jerry9n]

All depends on if you want to. No real magic, just a bit of tinkering.

You will need a few specialty things, like an air compressor (if you choose to blow it out), a socket to get the plug out of the water heater, a suction kit for the water pump if your trailer doesn't have one, and a bypass kit for the water heater, but most likely there is one there.

I did mine this afternoon in about 3 hours including flushing the black and gray tanks. I use the fill with pink antifreeze and drain and blow out the antifreeze. I also drain and flush out the water heater. That way nothing is missed. Cost for mine is two gallons of antifreeze- about $7.

Lots of ways and opinions on how to do it.

[wagonmaster2]

An ice maker and washer/dryer are really the only part of winterizing that takes any different approach. The rest is a walk in the park.
Good luck.
Is it time to be winterizing already?

[billyjoeraybob]

Search YouTube there are plenty of videos to show you the process. If you are handy there is nothing to it