Pine trees in a field of snow.

DIY RV Winterization

Winterizing the right way will protect your RV for many camping seasons to come
TOOLS YOU'LL NEED
  • Air compressor
  • Blowout plug adaptor
  • RV/Marine-grade antifreeze (not automotive)
  • Screwdriver or screw gun
STEP-BY-STEP
  1. Drain the water heater via access valve on the outside of the RV near the kitchen.
  2. Open low-point drains, typically found underneath your vehicle near the water heater.
  3. Open all hot and cold faucets, including those outside the coach, if you have them.
  4. Open the fresh water drain on your RV's undercarriage. This could be a valve or a just a cap.
  5. Turn off all faucets that you opened in Step 3.
  6. Find your city water connection (usually next to your fresh water fill access). Connect the compressor and turn it on.
  7. One tap at a time, turn on each faucet and keep open until no water is running before moving on to the next.
  8. Remove air compressor from city water connection.
  9. Turn the water heater bypass valve to "on" or "winterize" Depending on the trailer, this could be found in the convenience center, connected to the water pump, or on the back of the water heater. To locate the water pump, turn the pump on, listen for its operation, and, if necessary remove the access panel to locate. Connect the anti-freeze to the pump via pick-up tube provided or one that you've purchased yourself. Open each faucet and flush the toilet(s) until pink anti-freeze is flowing through the line.

THAT'S IT! Now you can relax and know your Keystone will be safe during the winter months and ready to go next spring!

Click on the video below to see Chris DeLaPaz from Keystone RV's service team walk you through each of these steps.