First-Time Winterizing: How Much Pink Stuff Do You Need?
Stepping into your first winterization project can feel intimidating, especially when calculating how much RV antifreeze (the 'pink stuff') to buy. Generally, standard travel trailers require about two to three gallons of propylene glycol antifreeze to thoroughly protect the lines. Larger motorhomes, fifth wheels, or rigs with washing machine hookups and multiple bathrooms may easily require four to six gallons.
Always bypass your water heater before pumping the lines to avoid wasting precious antifreeze filling a six-to-ten-gallon tank. If you plan to blow out your lines with an air compressor first—which is highly recommended—you can often get away with using slightly less pink stuff. When in doubt, buy an extra gallon; running out halfway through the blow-and-fill process is a headache you can easily avoid.
Tires, Covers, and Heating: Protecting the Critical Components
One of the most debated topics among RVers is how to properly care for tires during long-term storage. Tires left sitting on cold, damp ground or exposed to harsh UV rays will degrade rapidly. Inflate your tires to their maximum recommended pressure, park them on rubber mats or wooden blocks to prevent moisture transfer, and invest in opaque tire covers.
Is Heating Under the Trailer a Good Idea?
If you live in an area with extreme sub-freezing temperatures, you might wonder if placing a small heater under your trailer is a safe way to keep the underbelly warm. While skirted RVs with a safe, thermostatically controlled space heater can prevent extreme freezing, it also introduces a fire risk if left unattended. Thorough winterization and a well-insulated enclosed underbelly remain the gold standard for freeze protection.
Covered Storage vs. Changing Storage Spots
Choosing between open-air lots, covered carports, and indoor storage units comes down to budget and climate. Covered storage protects your rubber roof from punishing ice dams, heavy snow loads, and UV degradation. If you are unhappy with your current facility due to security or rising rates, changing storage spots before the deep freeze sets in will give you peace of mind all winter long.
Is Complete Winterization Really Necessary?
If you live in a very mild southern climate where temperatures rarely dip below freezing, you might question whether complete winterizing is necessary. However, a single unexpected Arctic freeze can split PEX lines and destroy your water pump in a matter of hours. If there is any chance of a hard freeze, draining the lines and adding antifreeze is cheap insurance compared to a costly plumbing repair bill in the spring.
- Drain all holding tanks and the water heater completely.
- Blow out the plumbing system with compressed air using a blowout plug.
- Pump RV antifreeze through every faucet, shower, and toilet line.
- Pour a cup of antifreeze into every sink and shower trap to protect the holding tank valves.