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# RV Winterization Checklist: Every Step to Protect Your Rig
- URL: https://www.goodkit.io/rv-winterization-checklist-every-step-to-protect-your-rig/
- Published: 2026-04-08T15:38:42.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-14T18:10:52.000Z
- Description: Frozen pipes and dead batteries are preventable. A complete winterization checklist covering water systems, waste, batteries, exterior, and interior.
- Author: goodkit crew
- Tags: RV, Guides

## Why This Checklist Exists

Frozen pipes, cracked fittings, and dead batteries are expensive and preventable. If you store your RV for winter — or even just let it sit for a few cold weeks — you need to winterize it properly. This checklist covers everything. Print it out and work through it.

## Water System

This is where most winter damage happens. Water expands when it freezes. Anything with water in it can crack.

1. **Drain the fresh water tank completely.** Open the low-point drain valves (usually under the RV, one for hot, one for cold).
2. **Drain the water heater.** Turn it off, let it cool, open the drain plug and the pressure relief valve. Do not skip the relief valve — it lets air in so the tank actually drains.
3. **Bypass the water heater.** Your RV should have a bypass valve kit. If it does not, install one — otherwise you are pumping 6-10 gallons of antifreeze into the water heater for no reason.
4. **Pump RV antifreeze through the system.** Connect the water pump inlet to a jug of non-toxic RV antifreeze. Run every faucet (hot and cold), the shower, the outdoor shower, and the toilet until you see pink coming out.
5. **Pour antifreeze down every drain.** About half a cup in each sink, shower, and the toilet bowl. This protects the P-traps.
6. **Leave low-point drains open.** Any residual water can drip out instead of freezing in the lines.

## Waste System

1. **Dump and flush both tanks.** Black tank first, then gray. Use a tank rinser if you have one.
2. **Leave the valves closed after dumping.** You do not want critters climbing in through an open waste pipe.
3. **Add a cup of RV antifreeze to each tank** through the toilet (black) and a sink drain (gray). This protects the valve seals and any residual water in the tanks.

[If your waste valve is already showing wear, replace it before winter storage](https://www.goodkit.io/rv-waste-valves-why-the-twis-loc-outlasts-everything-else/)

If you live in the rig the rest of the year, [Treatzall](https://www.goodkit.io/treatzall-review/) is what we put in the black tank every dump cycle. Same treatment entertainer coaches buy by the case.

## Batteries

1. **Fully charge the battery bank before storage.** A half-charged battery freezes at a much higher temperature than a full one. Lithium batteries should be stored at 50-80% charge per manufacturer recommendations.
2. **Disconnect the batteries** or turn off the main disconnect switch. Parasitic draws (LP detectors, control boards) will slowly kill your batteries over winter.
3. **If storing lead-acid batteries, check water levels** and top off with distilled water. Consider a maintenance charger if you have shore power available at your storage location.
4. **For lithium banks:** Most lithium batteries have a low-temperature cutoff that prevents charging below freezing. Do not try to charge a lithium battery below 32°F — you will permanently damage the cells. If your storage location gets below freezing, bring the batteries inside or use heated battery blankets.

[More on battery monitoring and maintenance](https://www.goodkit.io/rv-battery-monitoring-what-actually-works/)

## Exterior

1. **Inspect and reseal the roof.** Check every seam, vent, and antenna mount for cracks in the sealant. Dicor self-leveling lap sealant is the standard for RV roofs. One tube and 30 minutes can prevent thousands in water damage.
2. **Clean and treat slide seals.** Wipe down the slide-out seals and apply a rubber seal conditioner. Dry, cracked seals let water in.
3. **Cover or close vents.** Vent covers keep rain and snow out. If you do not have covers, close the vents and consider foam vent insulators.
4. **Check tire pressure and consider tire covers.** UV degrades sidewalls over months of sun exposure. Inflate to the sidewall maximum for storage — they will lose pressure slowly over winter.

## Interior

1. **Clean out all food.** Everything. Canned goods can freeze and burst.
2. **Leave cabinet and fridge doors open.** Air circulation prevents mold and mildew.
3. **Place moisture absorbers** (DampRid or similar) in the main cabin, bathroom, and any enclosed spaces.
4. **Turn off the LP gas** at the tank valve.

## Spring De-Winterization

When you bring it back in spring: flush the antifreeze by running fresh water through every fixture until it runs clear, sanitize the fresh water system with a dilute bleach solution (1/4 cup per 15 gallons), fill and drain twice, then refill with fresh water. Check every connection for leaks before your first trip.

## Winterization supplies

**Affiliate disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

- [Non-toxic RV antifreeze on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=non+toxic+RV+antifreeze&tag=goodkit08-20&ref=goodkit.io)
- [RV water-heater bypass kits on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=RV+water+heater+bypass+kit&tag=goodkit08-20&ref=goodkit.io)
- [Dicor self-leveling roof sealant on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Dicor+self+leveling+lap+sealant&tag=goodkit08-20&ref=goodkit.io)
- [RV slide-seal conditioner on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=RV+slide+out+rubber+seal+conditioner&tag=goodkit08-20&ref=goodkit.io)
- [Moisture absorbers on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=DampRid+moisture+absorber&tag=goodkit08-20&ref=goodkit.io)
- [Battery maintainers on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=12V+battery+maintainer&tag=goodkit08-20&ref=goodkit.io)

## Related Articles

- [RV Waste Valves: Why the Twis-Loc Outlasts Everything Else](https://www.goodkit.io/rv-waste-valves-why-the-twis-loc-outlasts-everything-else/)
- [Treatzall Review: Holding Tank Treatment](https://www.goodkit.io/treatzall-review/)
- [RV Battery Monitoring: What Actually Works](https://www.goodkit.io/rv-battery-monitoring-what-actually-works/)
- [Best RV Tank Monitoring Sensors](https://www.goodkit.io/best-rv-tank-monitoring-sensors-2026/)
- [RV Solar System Sizing](https://www.goodkit.io/rv-solar-system-sizing-how-to-calculate-what-you-need/)
- [Best Mail Forwarding & Virtual Mailbox Services for RVers](https://www.goodkit.io/best-mail-forwarding-services-for-full-time-rvers-and-cruisers-2026/)