When storing your travel trailer for short or long periods, use the same precautions as you would in your own home in regard to perishables, ventilation, and rain protection. In addition, for prolonged storage periods, flush out all the drain lines and the holding tanks. Also drain the entire water system including the water heater and the water storage tank. Instructions for draining the water system are explained in the following paragraphs on winterizing.
The main consideration in winterizing your travel trailer is to guard against freeze damage to the fresh water system lines, tank, and pump, the waste drain system including the traps and tanks, the water heater, and the batteries.
Part 1
Why and How to Winterize: Preparing Your Airstream for Cold Weather
View the Winterization Guide on Airstream Supply Company >
Part 2 (2021 Edition)
Preparing for Winter, Cold Weather Camping, Touring Coach details, and Model Year 2022 Specific Information
Winterization Kit
What is a winterization kit and how do I use it?
To completely winterize your travel trailer follow this procedure:
1. Level the travel trailer from side to side and front to rear. Open all faucets.
2. Turn the water pump switch to the ON position to expel water from the storage tank
3. Open all drain valves including drain plug or valve on water heater and exterior water service valve.
4. While the water is draining from the system, open and flush the toilet-flushing valve. Depress hand spray lever while holding the spray head down inside the bowl. Depress hand spray thumb button on the telephone shower head while holding down inside the tub and drain all water from the flexible hose. Unscrew the heads on both spray units and store.
5. Turn the pump switch OFF after all water has been removed from the storage tank.
6. Disconnect outlet hose from water pump.
7. If your unit has a winterization kit installed, open valve to the winterizing position and remove plug. If your unit does not have this valve, disconnect the water pump inlet connection. Turn the pump on until all the water is expelled. This water, about 1/2 cup, can be caught in a towel or rag.
8. Lower the front of the travel trailer as far as the jack will allow until water ceases to drain, then crank the jack up as high as it will go and allow any remaining water to drain out.
9. After the water has stopped running from the drain lines, apply 50 lb. of air pressure at the city water inlet. An air-to-city water adapter is available from your dealer’s RV accessory store or on Airstream Supply Company.
https://airstreamsupplycompany.com/products/blow-out-plug-with-valve
Be sure the toilet valve, all drain valves, and faucets are open and pump outlet hose is disconnected. This can be done at a service station and will force any remaining water from the water heater and remove any water that may be trapped in low areas.
10. Pour a cup of non-toxic RV antifreeze that has been approved and listed by a recognized testing authority such as Underwriter Lab into the lavatory, sink and tub drains to prevent trap freeze-up.
11. Be sure to open the waste-holding tank dump valves and drain and flush the tanks thoroughly (this is very important as the sewage in the tanks, if frozen, could seriously damage the tanks). Plan ahead and have this done at a dump station.
12. Remove the batteries from your travel trailer and store in a cool, dry place where there is no danger of freezing. It is very important for optimum life of a battery to check it periodically and to keep it fully charged.
13. Remove any items (food, cosmetics, etc.) from travel trailer interior that might be damaged by freezing, or that might damage the travel trailer if containers should break.
Remove all RV antifreeze spillage from all drain and faucet parts after winterizing. Failure to do so could result in damage to the plumbing fixture’s finish.
An Optional method for winterizing protection, is to add a non-toxic antifreeze (approved for drinking water system) to the water lines using the following procedure:
1. Reconnect all lines except the hose to the pump inlet port. If you have the winterization kit installed, just reconnect the outlet hose. Close all drain valves.
2. Turn water heater bypass valve to bypass position. Refer to Water Heater Bypass Valve illustration.
3. If you do not have the winterization kit, attach a length of hose to the pump inlet port. This piece of hose should be long enough for the free end to be inserted into and reach the bottom of the antifreeze container.
4. For antifreeze usages follow manufacturer’s instructions found on label of container.
5. Open all water faucets.
6. Insert hose length into the antifreeze container, turn the pump switch on, and run the water pump until the antifreeze solution fills all water lines. Flush toilet. Work hand shower spray while holding down in tub.
7. Shut off the pump and close all faucets.
8. Disconnect the hose length from pump inlet fitting and reconnect water system inlet line. If you have the winterization kit, turn valve back into normal use position and reinstall hose plug.
Read more about winterization on our blog >