How To Winterize Your RV Water System Using An Air Compressor
Like many cold-averse, full-time RVers, we’re snowbirds.
During the past 12 years, we’ve only spent one winter in a northern climate. But since we were living on-board our RV the entire winter season, there was no need to put our systems into winter storage mode.
We’ll be staying North again this winter, but will be away from the RV for about two months while traveling by air. Rather than leaving the heat on, we’re winterizing our plumbing to prevent pipes from bursting while we’re gone.
How to winterize an RV
There are two methods for winterizing an RV:
- Pump pipes full of antifreeze (the RV type that’s safe for potable water systems)
- Or use compressed air to blow the water out
Rather than fill our drinking water system with any chemical, even a non-toxic one, we prefer to blow the lines out.
While it’s common to use a typical air compressor for the job, an air compressor unit with a tank can blow oil or other debris into our fresh water lines.
Instead, we use a tankless compressor with an air filter which protects our drinking water system from contamination.
There are a lot of steps to follow, especially if you have additional options like an ice maker, washing machine or dishwasher.
We have all three, so we covered that and much more in our video below.
There is also a revolutionary new way to winterize your RV with the Floë Integrated Drain Down System. Learn more about it in this Camper Report article. Be sure to also check out their top picks for portable air compressors.
Stay on top of your RV maintenance
Keep track of all your RV maintenance with an online tool such as RV LIFE Maintenance. Not only can you keep all your maintenance records and documents in one place, you’ll receive timely reminders via email when maintenance is due and potentially avoid a costly repair or serious accident.
