{"id":11408,"date":"2023-11-22T16:52:45","date_gmt":"2023-11-22T23:52:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog2.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/?p=11408"},"modified":"2024-01-29T15:16:47","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T22:16:47","slug":"de-winterizing-travel-trailer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neighbor.com\/storage-blog\/de-winterizing-travel-trailer\/","title":{"rendered":"Dewinterizing a Travel Trailer: The Complete Guide\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for all year.<\/em> The ice, cold, and snow of winter are gone, and the warmth of spring has finally arrived, which means it’s time to get your travel trailer ready for the first camping trip<\/a> of the season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to do that, you’ll need to dewinterize<\/strong> it to ensure that everything is working as it should. However, the dewinterizing travel trailer process is tricky and involves several steps that can be difficult for first-timers and new RVers. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because failing to properly dewinterize your travel trailers’ electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems could result in camper issues, proper dewinterization is essential. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inspect and Prepare Your Travel Trailer Exterior<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The best way to dewinterize your RV is to start outside with the tires, axles, and batteries on the RV’s exterior before proceeding indoors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the RV Tires and Axles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your RV’s tires and axles are two of the most critical components of a travel trailer, and the success of your journeys will start and end with them. Therefore, it’s essential to check your tire pressure as well as the tread and overall appearance of the tire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If any of your tires have low tread or are showing signs of cracking, you should replace them before you take your RV on the open road. Additionally, check the axles to ensure they aren’t bent or rusted, both of which can lead to tire blowouts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Assess and Recharge Your RV Battery <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After checking your tires and axles, examine your travel trailer battery. If you correctly winterized your battery, you should have removed it and stored it in a dry, warm area during winter<\/strong>, as cold weather wreaks havoc on lead-acid batteries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you’ve retrieved the battery, you’ll need to inspect and clean the terminals.<\/strong> You should also ensure that the terminals are tight and not too corroded,<\/strong> as either of these issues can create a poor connection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If everything looks okay, re-install the battery onto the front of your camper and connect it to the battery charger, being careful not to overcharge it.  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should also check the water levels and add distilled water as needed.<\/strong> If the battery terminals are corroded or dirty, use a concoction of baking soda and vinegar that’s mixed with water. Dip a soft scrub brush into the concoction and start to clean the terminals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the Exterior For Leaks <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If your camper didn’t have leaks before you put it into storage, it shouldn’t have any when you dewinterize it. Just to be sure, however, <\/em>you should walk around the outside of the camper, as well as inspect the roof, focusing specifically on the seals. Double-check around windows, doors, and roof vents, as these are the most prone to issues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flush and Repair the RV Plumbing System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Next up, you’re ready to move onto your plumbing system, which is the trickiest part of dewinterizing your RV. To dewinterize your plumbing system, you’ll need to remove the antifreeze that you put into your water lines when winterizing it, as well as check for plumbing leaks<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here’s how to dewinterize your camper’s plumbing system: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Open all the hot and cold faucets inside your travel trailer and let the antifreeze flow out of the spigots. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Connect a water hose to your camper’s water inlet port and let potable water flow into your RV. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Leave your travel trailer faucets open until you see clear water, which indicates that all the antifreeze is out of your plumbing system. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    As you’re running fresh water through your plumbing system, check your pipes and valves for potential leaks. If you find any, turn the water off and make any repairs that are necessary. You can also sanitize your toilet water lines at this time by depressing the toilet flush pedal until clear water appears. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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