Last Updated on November 9, 2022 by Douglas
Winterizing a travel trailer is a time-consuming process. It can take up to two days and it’s not something you should do in the middle of winter. Here are some things to consider before you winterize your travel trailer.
There are many factors that go into deciding when you should winterize your travel trailer, but there are also some guidelines that can help you make the decision. For example, if your travels will be primarily in cold climates or if you live in an area where temperatures drop below freezing for more than six months of the year, then it may be best to winterize your travel trailer before the cold weather arrives. If not, then it may be better to wait until after the first frost of winter has passed.
How many gallons of antifreeze does it take to winterize a travel trailer?
You’ll need at least 2 to 3 gallons of RV antifreeze depending on the size of your rig. b) Use your RV’s internal water pump. If you use the water pump, you’ll need to install a pump bypass kit if it’s not already equipped since it draws from the RV’s fresh water tank and you don’t want antifreeze in there.[1]
Is it OK to leave RV plugged in all the time?
Overcharging. If you leave your RV battery plugged in after it’s fully charged, it can deplete the cells’ electrolyte levels. This can lead to reduced battery life unless you have a newer RV converter with a three or four-stage charging process called a smart charger or if you’ve attached a battery tender.[2]
Should I remove the battery from my RV batteries for winter?
When you store your RV during the offseason, you also need to remove your battery and keep it in a warm location. If you leave it in, the water in your battery may freeze when the temperature drops too low. This happens because a battery loses its sulfuric acid when it discharges and leaves water behind.[3]
What temp does RV antifreeze freeze?
Antifreeze freezes? There are two options for RV antifreeze: minus 50 F or minus 100 F freeze burst protection. The minus 50 degrees F antifreeze has an ice point of +12°F. However, it can freeze at full strength at +12°F, but freezes at minus 50°F.[4]
Is it OK to put RV antifreeze in freshwater tank?
It can be easier to pump it backwards through a faucet spout using a backflow kit with a hand pump, but it is totally acceptable to pour the antifreeze directly into the fresh tank and use the RV’s water pump to pump it throughout the system as well.[5]
What temperature should you winterize a trailer?
What Temperature Should You Winterize Your RV? Once temperatures reach 0℃ (or below), it’s time to get your RV ready for storage.[6]
Do dryer sheets keep mice out of camper?
Do Dryer Sheets Keep Mice Out? Don’t expect your box of Bounce to work any pest-control miracles. Dryer sheets don’t deter mice. Baited traps won’t solve a mouse problem, either.[7]
Can I leave my TV in my camper over the winter?
Yes, you can leave your TV in the camper over winter. However, televisions have minimum temperatures that they can be ‘stored’ at. If you look at the instruction manual for the TV, then it should tell you the temperature that the TV should not drop below. These are pretty low numbers, but they are firm numbers.[8]
Does shore power charge RV batteries?
Fortunately, the answer is yes; your RV house battery will charge while it is plugged into shore power. Your RV battery will charge when an external power source is connected and providing power to your RV.[9]
Does it hurt to leave camper plugged in all winter?
Keeping your batteries plugged in all winter long results in overcharging the battery. RV battery converters charge at a constant voltage that is too high for the battery over such a long period of time. Overcharging results in a fried battery that will no longer function to its full potential.[10]
What kills a battery in a RV?
Sulfation, parasitic loads, self-discharging, overcharging, undercharging, and lack of maintenance are the usual suspects of battery death, but they are all relatively easy to prevent with regular attention and smart battery charging. Always Forgetting to Perform Routine RV Maintenance?[11]
Does RV fridge drain battery?
An RV refrigerator will run off of the battery if your fridge model is set up for it or if it uses propane too. An absorption fridge will run on batteries only for about 3 hours but if using propane too it will last for weeks.[12]