How To Winterize Your RV

WINTER IS HARD ON EVERYONE, but it can be especially tough on RVs. With the risk of freezing pipes and hidden moisture, winterizing your RV is a critical step to avoid costly repairs once temperatures start to rise in the spring. In simple terms, winterizing means preparing your RV’s plumbing and systems to withstand freezing temperatures — usually by draining or replacing water with RV antifreeze to prevent damage.

We’ve put together a complete, step-by-step walkthrough of the RV winterization process, broken down into eight easy steps. Keep in mind that every RV is slightly different — some models include extra systems like ice makers, refrigerators, or dishwashers that require special care — but these steps will cover the basics. If the process still feels intimidating, don’t worry. Your local Camping World service center can take care of it for you. But if you’re ready to tackle it yourself, use the guide below as your checklist.

Key Takeaways

• Winterization prevents costly damage. Properly draining tanks, lines, and your water heater—and adding RV antifreeze where needed—protects plumbing and fittings from freezing, cracking, and leaks.
• Every RV is a little different. Some models include additional systems, such as ice makers, dishwashers, or tankless water heaters, that require special attention. Always refer to your owner’s manual for model-specific instructions.
• You don’t have to do it alone. If DIY winterization feels overwhelming, Camping World’s certified service technicians can handle the entire process for you—saving time, stress, and future repair costs.

Tools Needed For Winterizing Your RV

For proper winterization, you’ll need the following tools and supplies:

• Cordless power drill with #2 square tip driver bit
• Socket wrench and 1-1/16″ socket
• Flashlight
• New anode rod or plastic plug
• 3-4 gallons of antifreeze (a little extra never hurts)
• 2 crescent wrenches or a set of open-end wrenches
• Siphoning kit (if the pump is not already equipped)
• Water heater bypass kit (if not already equipped)
• Needle-nose pliers or a screwdriver

Consider also investing in an RV winterizing kit, like we’ve outlined, that has everything you need.

Steps To Winterize Your RV

A well-winterized RV means fewer headaches, less stress, and a smoother start to camping season when spring rolls around. It also helps extend the life and performance of your RV year after year. Follow the steps below to make sure you’ve taken care of every detail.

1. Drain and Flush the Black and Gray Water Tanks

Never let wastewater sit in your RV over the winter. Stagnant waste can lead to unpleasant odors, bacterial growth, and, in freezing conditions, serious damage to your tanks and plumbing. Start by draining both tanks — always empty the black water tank first, followed by the gray water tank. This helps rinse out any residue from the sewer hose.

Once the tanks are empty, take a few extra minutes to flush and clean the black tank using a black tank flush system, a specialized cleaning wand, or a black tank cleaner designed for this purpose. This step removes leftover debris and helps prevent buildup or sensor issues while your RV is in storage.

After flushing, make sure the valves are completely closed and your sewer hose is drained and stored properly. A clean, dry waste system will make your spring de-winterization much easier — and much less smelly.

Learn more about RV holding tank maintenance.

2. Drain and Flush the Water Heater

Next, you’ll need to remove any remaining water from your RV water heater. Leaving water inside can be a costly mistake — as temperatures drop, that water can freeze and expand, potentially cracking the tank or damaging fittings. Start by turning off the water heater and allowing it to cool completely. Never attempt to drain it while it’s hot or under pressure. Once cooled, disconnect power (both electric and propane, if applicable) to ensure the heating element doesn’t turn on while empty.

Connectthe city water to your RV with the water supply turned off. Then use a socket wrench to carefully remove the drain plug or anode rod, and open the pressure relief valve to let air flow through and water drain out smoothly. Once drained, replace the anode rod loosely (or store it for inspection and replacement later).

Technician Tip: If your RV has a tankless water heater, the process is a little different. These systems usually don’t have a large reservoir to drain, but you’ll still need to blow out or bypass the lines to ensure no water remains inside. Always follow your manufacturer’s instructions for winterizing a tankless system to prevent internal damage.

3. Bypass the Water Heater

Before adding antifreeze to your RV, ensure that you bypass the water heater. You don’t want any antifreeze making its way into the water heater. Many RVs come with a bypass valve already installed, while others may require a manual setup.

To locate the water heater, find the water heater service door on the RV’s exterior and then trace the connection inside your RV. Usually, there’s an access panel inside that you will need to remove. Using your drill and square-tip driver bit, remove the panel to access the valves and adjust them to bypass the water heater properly.

4. Drain the Fresh Tank and Low Point Drains

Before removing the drain plug, make sure all water pressure is off — disconnect city water and turn off your water pump. Then open the fresh water tank drain valve or plug and allow the tank to empty completely. Opening the faucets inside your RV will help air enter the system and speed up the flow.

Once the tank is empty, locate and open your low-point drains (usually one for hot water and one for cold) to remove any remaining water in the lines. When everything is drained, close all faucets and reinstall the drain plugs.

5. Locate the Water Pump

Attach the siphoning kit, or if your RV is equipped, locate the siphoning hose and place it inside your gallon of antifreeze. Open the valve. Turn on the water pump to allow the antifreeze to start flowing through the water system.

6. Open External Faucets and Valves on the Outside of the RV

Beginning with the lowest valve and working your way up, open low-point drain valves or loosen the low-point drain plugs to allow water to run out. Continue until the water turns pink (this indicates that the antifreeze is thoroughly making its way through the pipes), then close the valves or retighten the plugs. Turn on any outside showers or exterior faucets, running one side (hot or cold) until it runs pink, then close it and run the other.

7. Open Internal Faucets, Showers, and Toilets

Repeating the process from step six, run the faucets inside (kitchen, bathroom, and showers), starting with one side until it runs pink, then closing it and running the other side. Then repeat this process for all toilets until you see the antifreeze.

8. Pour Antifreeze Down P-Traps

After that, you should pour some additional antifreeze down the drain of each sink, shower, and RV toilet to ensure the exterior termination pipes don’t freeze over winter. With all that done, you should double-check that the water heater’s heating element is turned off and all faucets are closed.

Schedule an RV Winterization Service

If the steps above sound too complicated, or they’re just not something you want to do this season, no worries–we understand. Simply visit your local Camping World location and let our highly qualified service professionals take care of it for you. Doing it yourself can be rewarding, but paying professionals to handle your home on wheels is never a bad idea.

For other winterization tips and tricks, check out your RV’s owner’s manual. It’s common for different classes of RVs and various appliances to have additional needs before you can adequately store your RV for the winter. After all, a successful winterization leads to a successful spring when RV season rolls around again.

Preparing your RV for different seasons helps protect its integrity and prevents future repairs. Check out some of the following resources to learn more:

• How to Dewinterize Your RV
• RV Air Conditioner Cleaning
• RV Furnace Repair and Maintenance
• Tips for Cleaning Black Streaks from RV

Do you have any questions about winterizing your RV? Leave a comment below and we’ll respond ASAP!