Responsible RV owners know that it’s crucial to get the RV winterized before that freeze hits. With freezing temperatures and extra precipitation comes the potential for major damage to your RV. As the days get warmer and longer, though, the time draws nearer when you can safely dewinterize your RV. While that may sound like a boring process, it’s crucial for the health of your RV. And remember, that means your first trip of the season is just around the corner!
Full Inspection
When it’s time to dewinterize your RV, the first thing you need to do is perform a full inspection. Start by removing the cover (if you have one) opening the vents, cracking the windows, and unlocking the doors and hatches. Check inside and out thoroughly, looking for any signs of leaks or even animal life. An RV provides ideal shelter from the coldest temperatures for all sorts of little vermin. Be careful, though, because waking up a hive of hibernating bees that’s relocated into your RV can be a frightening experience! Climb up and look at the roof, too, and look for any signs of damage. Inspect the seams, cracks, screw holes, and any other spot that might be likely to turn into a leak. Then, make sure your window and door gaskets are in good shape, free of debris or damage. This is a good time to grease up the rails of your slide out, as well as the locks to your doors and anything else that might have gotten fused over the winter.
Plumbing
A major chore in the winterization process is getting your pipes ready for freezing temperature. This involves filling your fresh water system up with special non-toxic antifreeze. To dewinterize, you’ll need to flush all of this out. Start by hooking your hose up to your freshwater tank. Open the farthest faucet from the hose and open the hot water and then the cold water valve until pure water comes out. Close these and move onto the next faucet or water line. Do this through all of the faucet lines. Once you have every line flushed, add bleach or sanitizer into your freshwater tank. Repeat the flushing process until you smell bleach or sanitizer coming out. Let this sit overnight to fully clean out any remaining antifreeze or bacteria. The next day, flush all your pipes one more time and you’re all set.
Reinstall Batteries & Propane
The next step is to reinstall your propane and batteries. Remember, you don’t want to leave these hooked up, unless you’re about to head out on a trip. But when you’re dewinterizing, it’s helpful to hook them back up so you can test all your systems. If your batteries don’t have a charge, hook them up to a battery charger, generator, or solar panels for a few hours. If you have a motorhome or fifth wheel with an ASME propane tank, you’ll have to take your RV into a gas station to get it filled with propane. If you have a DOT propane tank, you can take just the tank in and fill it yourself.
Test Appliances
Once you have power and fuel, it’s time to test your appliances. Start with your electrical appliances. Test each light, test your stereo system and TV, test your outdoor lights, power slide outs, and test your microwave. Test anything that runs on electricity. Once you’ve checked to make sure everything is in working order, test the propane appliances. Make sure the stove has a clear, blue propane flame. Make sure the furnace starts quickly and without too much noise. Leave your refrigerator on for a few hours to make sure it cools down. Test anything and everything.
Inspect Tires, Bearings, and Engine
Finally, you’ll want to inspect all of the aspects of your trailer or motorhome that are related to driving. Pack everything back up and take your RV for a short spin. If you have a motorhome, listen to the engine, check the fluids, and make sure everything starts smoothly. If you have a trailer, hook it up to your tow vehicle. Test the lights, the brakes, and listen to the bearings to make sure they have plenty of grease.
Dewinterizing is all about trying everything out, working out the kinks, and getting everything up and running for the upcoming season. For help getting your RV ready for the season, stop by Bullyan RV! We offer a convenient location in Duluth, MN, and look forward to assisting you with all of your RVing needs.
