RV Winter Storage Checklist | Motor Sportsland Blog

Start here: the RV Winter Storage Checklist

Utah winters don't negotiate. A few nights in the teens in Millcreek or Spanish Fork will crack a water line or split a pump housing, and you won't find out until April when you fill the fresh tank and water comes out of places it shouldn't. This RV Winter Storage Checklist is the order we'd do it in ourselves, with notes on why each step matters and which jobs belong in the service bay instead of your driveway.

The essentials

Get every drop of water out of the plumbing. Drain the fresh tank, open the low point drains, bypass and drain the water heater, and run RV antifreeze through the lines until it comes out pink at each faucet, including the toilet and any outside shower. Water expands when it freezes, and the fittings and the pump are usually what give first. Plan on an hour or two if you've done it before.

Camco — TST Grey Water Odor Control, 32 Oz — Tst grey water odor control, 32 oz

Dump and clean the holding tanks. Empty black first, then grey, and give them a good rinse so nothing sits all winter turning into a solid. Grease is the real problem in a grey tank, since it clings to the drain lines and the tank walls while the RV sits. Camco's TST Grey Water Odor Control is made to break down that grease build-up in the grey tank, sink and shower drain lines, and it leaves a lemon scent behind instead of the usual smell. The label calls for 4 oz. per 40 gallon tank, so a 32 oz. bottle goes a long way.

The water heater drain plug is the step owners forget most often. The tank holds several gallons after the lines are blown out, and that water will freeze and damage the tank.

Pull the plug or anode rod, let it drain completely, and leave it out until spring so nothing collects inside.

Camco — Super Wheel Chock, Yellow — Super wheel chock, yellow

Chock the wheels before you do anything else. If your trailer is parked on gravel or a sloped pad, chocks keep it from creeping while you're working around it and while it sits. Camco's Super Wheel Chock is hard plastic with UV inhibitors so it won't get brittle sitting in the sun, and it measures 6-1/2 long by 8-1/2 wide by 10 deep.

Camco — Wheel Chock With Rope, Yellow — Wheel chock with rope, yellow

Camco also makes a version with a rope attached, which is the one to grab if your chocks live somewhere awkward to reach. Same durable hard plastic with UV inhibitors, and the rope means you can set it and pull it back out without crawling under the trailer in the snow.

Camco — Bumper Caps Black, — Bumper caps black,

Camco — Bumper Cap, W/ Insect Screen, 2 Pack — Bumper cap, w/ insect screen, 2 pack

Close off the openings mice can use. A hollow RV bumper with a missing cap is an open invitation, and so is any gap around the underbelly. Camco's black bumper caps replace lost or damaged ones and have vented holes so air still circulates. The two-pack with insect screen does the same job with a squeeze grip for installation and removal, and the holes let air through while keeping flying insects out. Both are worth checking before you walk away for the season.

Battery and propane. Batteries discharge faster in the cold and a dead one can freeze, so they should be disconnected and kept on a maintainer somewhere above freezing. Shut the propane off at the tank. If you suspect a propane leak, a soft regulator, or anything wrong with the 12-volt wiring or converter, have our service department do it. That's not a parking lot job.

Look at the roof and the seals. Sealant shrinks and cracks over the summer, and snow load plus a hairline gap is how water gets into a ceiling. Walk around and look from a ladder if you can do it safely, but leave anything on the roof itself to our service department. They inspect, reseal and handle vent work without putting a foot through a panel.

Worth adding, starting with the X-Chock

BAL — X-Chock, Tire Locking Chock; Pair — X-chock, tire locking chock; pair

The BAL X-Chock works differently from a wedge chock. It sits between tandem tires and applies opposing force, so it stabilizes the trailer and prevents tire shift while working with the tires' natural movement instead of against it. It retracts down to 1 3/8 and extends to 10, which covers tight spacing, and it's lockable with the optional 28015 pad lock. A ratchet wrench is included and it's made in the USA. The pair is what most owners buy for a tandem axle trailer.

There's also a single X-Chock if you're adding one to a set you already own or want to try one first. Same design and same ratchet wrench. Bring your trailer by or tell our parts counter what you're running and they'll sort out which one fits your setup.

Camco — Camco Roof Vent Cover-Black — Camco roof vent cover-black

Vent covers so the RV can breathe. A sealed-up trailer traps moisture, and moisture is what causes mildew on cushions and soft spots in cabinetry. The Camco Roof Vent Cover in black lets you leave a vent open rain or shine, with high-flow ventilation, removable louvers for cleaning, and a UV stabilized resin body. It mounts to existing 14x14 roof vents.

Camco — Camco Roof Vent Cover-White — Camco roof vent cover-white

The Camco Roof Vent Cover also comes in white if that matches your roof better.

Installation puts you on the roof, so have our service department mount it.

Surge Guard (TRC) — 30A Portable Surge Guard W/ Cover — 30a portable surge guard w/ cover

A surge protector for when it's plugged in. Plenty of storage lots offer a 30-amp outlet, and pedestal power is not always clean. The 30A Portable Surge Guard from TRC is a portable 30A 120V protector and comes with a cover. It plugs in at the pedestal, so there's no wiring involved. Anything that does involve wiring goes to our service department.

Frequently asked questions

When should I winterize in the Salt Lake Valley?

Most owners here are done by the first week of November, but an early cold snap can show up in October. If overnight lows are forecast below freezing and you're not using the RV, winterize now rather than waiting for a free weekend.

Can I just blow the lines out with air instead of using antifreeze?

Compressed air gets most of the water out, but it rarely clears P-traps, the toilet valve and low spots in the lines. Most shops, including ours, blow the lines out and then add antifreeze so nothing is left sitting.

Do I need to cover the RV for winter?

A cover helps with UV and keeps snow and debris off, as long as it's breathable and fits properly. A tarp traps moisture against the sidewalls and can chafe the finish, so it's not a good substitute.

Should I leave the tires on the ground all winter?

Keeping weight off the tires is better, but it isn't practical for most people. Air them to the pressure on the sidewall, park on wood or pads instead of bare dirt, and cover them if they get direct sun.

Can your parts counter tell me which chocks or vent covers fit my trailer?

Yes. Give them your RV's year, make and model, or stop by either store, and they'll match the part to what you've got.

Parts in this post:

Order now: call our parts counter at 801-262-2922, or stop in at either store, Millcreek in Salt Lake City or Spanish Fork. Browse all our RV parts and accessories.