{"id":10252,"date":"2023-08-29T10:49:34","date_gmt":"2023-08-29T17:49:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog2.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=10252"},"modified":"2025-02-25T13:45:58","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T20:45:58","slug":"how-to-winterize-an-rv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/how-to-winterize-an-rv\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Winterize an RV: A Beginner’s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Thought storing your RV for the winter<\/a> was as simple as backing your motorhome into a driveway or sideyard and throwing on a cover? Think again. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you belong to one of the 11.2 million U.S. households<\/a> that own an RV, it’s important that you prepare your recreational vehicle for the cold weather through proper winterization. If you don’t, these subzero temperatures can freeze the water circulating through your RV’s pipes, leading to pipe bursts and a damaged plumbing system. For some RVers, repairs have cost as much as $4,600.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When winterizing your RV, you have two options: hire a professional to help or take the DIY approach. If you purchase a basic winterizing package through an RV dealer, the start-to-finish process will cost you an average of $130-$170. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that $170 fee is out of budget, you’ll want to roll up your sleeves and take the following steps to winterize your RV on your own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before Winterizing…<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before winterizing your RV plumbing system, remember that all campers and trailers have a unique build and style. Therefore, you must tailor the winterization steps according to your specific RV model.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, you’ll want to settle on an RV storage option before beginning the winterization process. With storage in place, you’ll know exactly where to put your winterized RV once the process is complete. If you’re still browsing for RV storage, check out peer-to-peer storage marketplaces like Neighbor.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While you can technically still use a winterized RV<\/a>, many RV owners choose to store their RV for the winter, given the fact that an RV’s water sources can’t be used post-winterization without running the risk of frozen pipes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re still worried about how the extreme cold will negatively impact your motorhome–even after winterization–opt for indoor RV winter storage<\/strong> options like a storage unit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essential Tools to Winterize Your RV<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gather the below-mentioned tools to ensure you can successfully winterize your RV without a hitch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n