How to Dewinterize Your RV

It's time to break out your t-shirts and flip flops! Summer is nearly here and we're ready for the season. With the start of a new season comes the task of prepping your RV for warm temperatures. Now is the time to take action and dewinterize your RV for the summer camping season.

Learning how to dewinterize your RV isn't the most entertaining summer activity, but it's a recipe for success. These five tips will help you make the process quick and easy, kick-starting another fantastic summer adventure.

5 Steps to Dewinterize Your RV

1. Battery Check

Before you check anything else, it's important to inspect your battery. When batteries are in storage, they lose a percentage of their current through internal leakage. This makes it vital to replace or recharge your batteries before you hit the road. Without a working battery, your trip will end before it begins.

2. Tire Pressure Check

Another critical task is to check your tires for appropriate inflation. Like your battery, tires can diminish over time in the form of tire pressure. This is particularly a problem when they're exposed to temperature fluctuations. Your tires can lose as much as two to three psi per month while your RV is in storage. If your tires aren't at the proper inflation, you risk reducing your gas mileage, blowing out a tire, and damaging your wheel structure.

3. Cabin Check

While you're charging your battery and inflating your tires, you can perform quick checks within your RV. These include:

• Inspecting windows and ceiling panels for cracks and damage.
• Ensuring that sealant is in good condition and not dried out or cracked.
• Checking for unwanted guests such as bugs, rats, and other critters.

4. Remove Antifreeze

A standard part of the winterizing routine is to add non-toxic antifreeze to the water holding tank. If this is a part of your process, it's vital to run fresh water through the whole plumbing system. Do so until all traces of antifreeze are eliminated.

To remove antifreeze from your water tank, follow these steps:

• Fill up your water tank with fresh water.
• Turn on every faucet in your RV, one at a time.
• Let each faucet run for about a minute.

5. Sanitize the Water Tank

To ensure the safety of your water tank, it's important to sanitize it after a winter without use. Before you begin, ensure that all drains are closed and drain plugs are installed. To sanitize your water tank:

• Mix one quarter cup of regular bleach for every fifteen gallons that your water tank holds and mix with water in a one gallon container.
• Pour the mixture into the water tank and let sit for at least five minutes.
• Drain completely and rinse tank with clean water.

Now that you know how to dewinterize your RV, it's time to get started! If you're not comfortable with this process, you can hire a certified technician to ensure that everything is operational. Once your RV is ready to roll, plan your vacation at one of our many Sun Outdoors resorts across the nation!  

Related Posts:

• Winterizing your RV or Vacation Rental
• Ready! Set! Go! Snowbird Travel Tips on Migrating South for the Winter
• What You Should Know Before Your RV Camping Adventure