PA RV Ownership Guide
Step-by-Step Guide to Winterizing Your Travel Trailer
Protect your plumbing, battery, and seals before winter freezing temperatures hit eastern Pennsylvania.
Draining and Flushing the Water System
Freezing water in your plumbing lines is the quickest way to ruin a spring camping trip in Pennsylvania. Start by turning off your water heater and letting it cool completely before pulling the drain plug. Open all hot and cold faucets, low-point drains, and the fresh water tank valve to let gravity clear out most of the system. Next, flush out your black and grey holding tanks thoroughly at a dump station. Once empty, close all valves and low-point drains before moving on to adding non-toxic RV antifreeze.
Pumping Non-Toxic RV Antifreeze
Never use automotive antifreeze in your fresh water system; stick strictly to pink, non-toxic RV antifreeze rated for sub-zero temperatures. Bypass your water heater using the bypass kit so you do not waste six to ten gallons of antifreeze filling a tank that is already drained. Connect a water pump converter kit or insert the siphon hose from your water pump directly into a jug of pink RV antifreeze. Turn on the pump and open each faucet one by one—starting with the highest fixture—until you see solid pink liquid flowing from both hot and cold lines. Don't forget the toilet, shower, city water inlet, and outdoor shower connection. Pour a cup of antifreeze into each sink and shower drain to protect the P-traps.
Batteries, Tires, and Exterior Prep
Pennsylvania winters bring freezing rain, heavy snow, and sub-zero overnight temperatures. Remove your house batteries and store them in a climate-controlled area on a trickle charger to prevent them from freezing and losing capacity. Inspect the exterior roof, slide-out boots, and window seals for cracks. Re-seal any gaps with proper lap sealant to prevent water intrusion during winter freeze-thaw cycles. Inflate your tires to the recommended PSI, park on wooden boards or RV leveling blocks rather than bare ground, and cover your tires to block moisture and sun damage.
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