How to winterize an rv by blowing out the lines
We were backing out of the driveway, taking off into town yesterday when my son piped up, “Mom, it’s 1 degree out! It’s nearly ready to snow, right?!”
SCREEEEECH!!!!!
Yes, son, it’s nearly ready to snow. And good golly, I could have busted my travel trailer! I had forgotten to drain the the water lines and no one needs pipes to freeze and burst.
So I’m going to show you how to winterize an rv by blowing out the lines with compressed air, alleviating the need for antifreeze!
Why air lines must be winterized
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Every winter before it freezes, it’s important to winterize any trailer that has running water capabilities.
Winterizing a travel trailer basically means removing all standing water inside any interior pipes.
For if you don’t, the pipes or the hot water tank could expand and burst from the ice.
Which can lead to endless leaks and some very expensive repair work.
When is the best time to winterize?
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It’s best to winterize right after the last time you use your trailer for the year so you don’t forget!
But if you tend to use your trailer while it sits at home, just remember to winterize before the temperatures drop to freezing outdoors.
Winterizing methods
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There are various ways to ensure you have no water in your lines.
1. One way is via a small pump that pushes RV antifreeze through everything. This includes the drinking water lines.
The con with that is you have to flush out your system really well come spring so you don’t end up ingesting antifreeze in your drinking water.
2. My preferred way to winterize a travel trailer is by blowing out the lines with compressed air.
Air pushed through pipes using an air compressor has the ability to push every drop of water out of the pipes, leaving them perfectly try before they have a chance to freeze.
It’s clean and quick! And no messing around with antifreeze come spring.
I learned how to do this by a kind gent at our regular campsite. I helped him do his so I could do mine when I got home.
So this is what he taught me and I’ve been doing it this way ever since.
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How to winterize an rv by blowing out the lines
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Needed Supplies:
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You will need an air compressor.
And a blow out plug.
How-to:
1. Crank your compressor pressure down to 30-40 PSI.
2. Drain your water tank first. And any other water holding tanks you may have. Then close them again.
Tip. DO close them again unless you wish to wear all the water. It’s no fun getting soaked when it’s near zero degrees out and you’re on your way to town right after. (oops)
2. Attach the blow out plug to your water intake valve.
3. Have someone go inside the trailer and turn off every tap except the one closest to where you are. This would likely be the kitchen sink.
Have them turn on just the hot OR cold (not both) and to yell and let you know when the water has stopped running.
4. Using the air compressor, blow air through the blow out valve with a tire pump tip, until you hear the yell.
5. Have them turn off the one side and turn on the other side. Repeat.
6. Once water has stopped running, turn off that sink, and move to the next closest, and repeat.
Do this with every tap, including the toilet lever.
Tips:
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Take some breaks rather than push the air through all at once. It’s easier on the lines.
And your freezing hands…
Leave your socket where the hot water tank drain resides. Just leave it there. Year around. It sure beats tripping over crap in your garage, and going through 5082 sockets trying to find one that fits!
7. Pour some antifreeze down each drain, and into the toilet tank. Then leave some in the toilet bowl for good measure.
8. You are done! And are free to change your wet shoes and head into town.
And here’s why it was a VERY good idea to delay our trip to town. An icicle transpired the very next AM!
Why I don’t do this when it’s warm and lovely out in September, I’ll never know.
Now, for pure entertainment value, I’d like to draw one thing to your attention because this is slick. See how parallel the trailer is lined up along the edge of that concrete pad?
I have this ‘thing’ for straight. It has to be straight or I get itchy. I backed that guy into that tight little area on my own and got it that straight. It may have taken me a few (30ish) minutes, but it’s straight!
But there’s a trick to that too, of course. Want to know the secret to backing up a trailer straight?
Other helpful RV posts you may enjoy:
THIS POST on Camping Tips with A Trailer shares all my best setup tips. From backing up, to chocking the wheels, to sewer adapters you’ll want to know about.
and THIS POST shows you how I fixed an RV door for $1.67. And saved a TON of money.
Kinda makes you want to go camping again, doesn’t it?
All trailer tips can be found HERE.
I am going to pin this because when I get that darling little travel trailer I have been dreaming about for YEARS I will know exactly how to winterize it. Thanks for the post that even I can understand!!
well, for heaven’s sake! THAT’s how you back up a trailer without it going every which-way!!!! I have a little box trailer that I use behind my garden tractor and have always had a dickens of a time trying to get it to back up in the direction I intended. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I loved it. But, I thought it was suppose to freeze at 32 degrees. Thanks for the lession. Funny thing, I like having things straight as well. Numbers are my thing too. Seems I’m always counting things. When I backed up the horsetrailer I would watch the trailer wheel thru the side mirror and that way I knew which way the trailer was going. I never could backup by using the mirror inside. When backing my car up in the garage, I pick a spot on the wall & line it up. I usually get it straight. Have a great weekend. Stay warm.
She lives in Canada. 0 is freezing for her and is equivalent to 32 in the States.
This trailer backing up business is confusing, isn’t it!?!
Oops, my olden ways are showing. Fahrenheit is in my truck so that’s why I made the 0 reference. 32 celsius is freezing here too. 🙂
Your posts are not only informative but entertaining! Bless you Donna 🙂
I seriously read every word of this. I can’t wait to get a little trailer so I soak up everything in the meantime. Sisters on the fly, anyone?
Definately Sisters on the Fly for me! I joined this year, it was a life changing, best thing I’ve ever done for me decision. Didn’t own a trailer at first and you don’t have to to join in on all the sister fun. Did end up getting one and love all the trailer info on your blog Donna. We had a drop in temps here in Calif and had to race out to Walmart to get rv anti freeze STAT!
Your awesome!
We do the same to our camper, but never drink or cook with the camper water, too many bad things in the holding tank. We also take a small amount of bleach in the spring and run it through with water before filling it for a trip, only using the camper water for washing dishes and showering. We take xtra water in jugs, and bottled water to drink.
Just BRILLIANT… and easy to understand. Thanks
While I don’t have an RV, I found the backing up tip very useful. Thanks, Donna!
How did you make or where did you find the blow out plug???? I just bought a used camper trailer I poured the antifreeze in the toilet and down the sink drains.. but not the clean water lines. I just found your site through Shanty Chic’s blog. I love what I have seen so far!!!
Thanks in advance!!
Hey Marianne! Welcome! 🙂 If you go to any RV type of store, they ought to carry it.
Thank you!!! Don’t have one close but will ask a friend to pick one up for me. Or will search online!! YAY!!
Thank you. I am in Colorado and just wanted a simple way to blow out my RV and you provided. Can’t beat that.
Hey George! Awesome! This really works.
I didn’t even have to do mine this year because I didn’t use the trailer this summer. (oops!) But I’ll still be pouring a little anti freeze in the drains and toilet to be on the safe side.
Do you know of anyone who can come to my cottage and close down my trailer for the winter?
Thanks
Michelle
Hi Michelle, I’d suggest to try doing a Google search for your given area. Or perhaps visit an RV supply place near you and ask? I hope you find someone!
You’re a funny guy. No, really, I mean it! 🙂 And thanks for the info.
I mean “gal.” Oops- 🙂
I always blow the lines out as well, but also add rv antifreeze too, I had my hot water tank drained so I could remove it, and found it still had some water in it even with the bottom tap removed, and my motor home has all copper lines which I really don’t feel like replacing or fixing leaks in
Good call Albert! After blowing out the lines, I pour a little antifreeze in the toilet and sink drains in case anything is left behind too.
Very helpful, thanks
My pleasure James, I did this technique for many years and it was always a big win!
Thank you — just what I needed. I’ve been blowing out my lines for a couple years now, but I’ve always worried about what PSI I should be using. Your recommendation of 30-40 was very helpful. I think I’ve been doing higher than that, but I haven’t had a tight seal either so I’ve gotten away with it.
Rather than using that little attachment on my city water connection, I’ve been putting the air hose nozzle into the tank through the other opening and blocking the open area around the hose with a rag. Then I’ve been giving the lines short bursts of air at a higher pressure. I’m going to get me one of these nozzles and go with 30lbs or so of sustained pressure.
Thanks again.
-Gleno
Glad the info helped Glen! I did this for a number of years with absolutely no issues. All the best!
Great post! Love these little tips
Thank you so much.. great, simple, easy to follow directions, felt more down to earth not coming from someone who has a big$$$$RV, but from a fellow rv’er with a perfectly good camper…just not big and new. Ours is a 2003, newest we’ve ever owned. Happy camping to you & family from Ohio
Awesome! Glad the tips helped Shirley! It works so well and gives me great peace of mind knowing I’m not drinking the stuff!
We just happened to have the RV in the shop last year when it was time to winterize and now there are no appointments. This is seriously the easiest, clearest breakdown. Thank you!
I will mention that I used a tiny electric air pump, like for bike tires, and it only got to between 10 and 15 PSI, but it cleared everything out.
That’s amazing Corey! So glad it worked for you! I would have never thought a bike pump could do it! Thrilled to hear this!
Hi, thank you for the tips much appeciated. I’m building my own travel trailer and learning as I go. Anything helps! 🙂
Thank you, from the east coast of Canada!
Awesome Stephane! This is a great post! I also have a really popular other one that shares loads of tips when camping with a travel trailer. Lots of my fav gear and a special tip on how to back up flawlessly with a trailer in tow!
You can check it out here if you wish at: https://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/07/tips-for-camping-in-a-travel-trailer.html
Hi, thanks for the links, I will check them out! Subscribed to your facebook I have. Interesting stuff you’ve got.
Take care.