How to Winterize
Your Escape

When storing your recreational vehicle through periods of freezing weather, in an unheated environment, it will be necessary to winterize the water system. Damage to water system components will result if the proper winterization steps are not taken.

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Water System Winterization - Compressed Air & Antifreeze Methods

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Winterizing with Compressed Air

NOTE: Before using the compressed air method, you will need a special adapter known as a blowout plug. This plug allows compressed air to be delivered through the city water fill. This small, inexpensive adapter is available at most RV supply stores and is supplied in all recently purchased trailers.

  1. Purchase 1 gallon of RV approved, non-toxic antifreeze.
  2. Drain the freshwater tank and empty the wastewater holding tanks.
  3. Turn the 2 water heater bypass valves to the ‘bypass’ position. (The valves are located near the water heater incoming lines at the rear of the water heater.)
  4. Relieve pressure from tank by opening the pressure relief valve and drain the water heater by removing the anode (1-1/16” Socket Wrench). Flush out sediment build-up in water heater if necessary. Reinstall anode rod with new Teflon tape.
  5. Turn on the water pump for at least 30 seconds to clear any water from the lines.
  6. Connect an air hose with an adapter (blow out plug) to the city water fill connection.
  7. Set the pressure to no greater than 50# (pounds) and blow out the water lines until no water can be seen coming out of the fixtures and lines.
  8. Pour approximately 1/3 to ½ cup of RV antifreeze down each sink plus the shower drain to fill P-traps.

Winterizing with Antifreeze Only

WARNING: NEVER USE AUTOMOTIVE ANITFREEZE IN YOUR FRESH WATER SYSTEM. AUTOMOTIVE ANITFREEZE IS TOXIC AND NOT FOR USE IN POTABLE (DRINKABLE) WATER SYSTEMS.

  1. Purchase 2-3 gallons of RV approved, non-toxic antifreeze.
  2. Drain the freshwater tank and empty the wastewater holding tanks.
  3. Turn water heater bypass valves to ‘bypass’ position.
  4. Relieve pressure from tank by opening the pressure relief valve and drain the water heater by removing the anode (1-1/16” Socket Wrench). Flush out sediment build-up in water heater if necessary. Reinstall anode rod with new Teflon tape.
  5. Insert open end of winterizing T-valve in to jug of antifreeze, turn T-valve to pull from antifreeze jug.
  6. Turn the water pump switch ‘ON’ and open the cold-water side of all faucet fixtures. Leave the faucets open until the antifreeze, (generally pink in color), flows out of the faucets and shower heads. Repeat for the hot water side, do not forget the exterior shower.
  7. Flush toilet until antifreeze is visible inside the bowl and pour one cup of antifreeze down the toilet to winterize the black holding tank.
  8. Pour approximately 1/3 to ½ cup of RV antifreeze down each sink plus the shower drain to fill P-traps.

Dewinterizing Your RV

NOTE: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TURN ON THE WATER HEATER OR USE THE PLUMBING SYSTEM ONCE THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN WINTERIZED. DEWINTERIZE THE WATER SYSTEM, FLUSH AND SANITIZE PRIOR TO USE.

  1. Drain all holding tanks, (fresh water and sewage).
  2. Attach garden hose to fresh water fill and fill tank.
  3. Turn ‘ON’ pump switch and open cold water side of all faucet/shower fixtures. Leave open until the water runs clear, (no pink residue). Repeat for the hot water side.
  4. Flush toilet until clear water runs into bowl.
  5. Dump tanks again.
  6. Sanitize the water system.
  7. If a water filter has been installed, drain the lines, remove the assembly, clean and reinstall using a new filter.
  8. When ready to use the water heater, turn by-pass valve to open position to allow water to enter and fill the hot water heater tank.