Dear Dave,
We live in Colorado and have winterized our trailer. We are planning to go to Arizona for a couple of weeks. During this trip we will have access to city water so will not need to use our fresh water tank at all. If we do not fill the fresh water tank and do not turn the water pump on during the trip, can we just empty the gray and black waste tanks, blow out the lines, and run new antifreeze into the lines when we return? —Sarah, 2019 Keystone Premier 19′ travel trailer
Dear Sarah,
I assume you “winterized” your travel trailer by adding RV antifreeze throughout the system originally, since you indicated you would run new antifreeze in the lines when you return. I also assume you drained the water heater tank and switched the bypass valve.
When you connect a pressurized water system to the city water connection, the water line typically goes to a diverter valve that will direct the flow to either the plumbing system or the fresh water tank to fill that up. You may also have an on-board water filter that it would go through first.
At some point it will go to a manifold or series of “T’s” that have lines going to each faucet, shower head, and toilet.
Suggestions for trip during freezing weather
What I have done for a temporary trip during freezing weather is to leave the winterizing just as it is and carry jugs of water to use for the toilet and sinks. I don’t drink the city water from campgrounds, but rather buy water from local grocery stores in reusable jugs.
If you are staying in a campground, you can use the bathhouse for showers and not have to worry about winterizing the system when you are ready to go.
Otherwise, you will need to install the drain plug of the water heater and turn the bypass back to filling it, then run water through all the pipes to get the antifreeze out of the lines to use it for two weeks. Then drain the water heater, turn the bypass and, as you stated, run RV antifreeze back through the system, which you will need to do using the water pump.
I typically don’t blow out the lines and run RV antifreeze—just run the faucets and such until the pink stuff comes out.
You might also enjoy this from Dave
How can I use my winterized RV in January and February?
Hi, Dave,
We live in New England so obviously we need to winterize our RV’s water system at the end of the season—blow it out, antifreeze, etc. This year, however, we will be traveling starting in mid-January, returning late February. Is there any way to perform a “winterization-lite” that will still protect the plumbing without having to go through the full process? If I blow out the lines and put a space heater in the camper, will that do the trick? Thanks so much. —Bruce, 2022 Gulfstream 189DD
Dave Solberg is a leading expert in the RV industry and the author of the “RV Handbook.”
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Outside air temp is 42 and rising. Mother Nature has decided that we have had enough Winter.
Time to get in the RV and Go.