Keystone RV Forums - View Single Post - How to Winterize Your RV Using Compressed Air

Marineman · 10-08-2021, 12:53 PM

This post is going to explain how to winterize your RV using compressed air. I live in the great Northwest where the winters are very cold and where all who have RV’s must winterize their unit before putting them in storage. I’ve had 2 different RV’s in the last 14 years and the process is virtually the same for both of them. All said and done, this can be completed in 1 hour.

By using compressed air there is no need to fill your lines with antifreeze and it’s a snap in the Spring to hook up water, recharge your system, and take off on your first trip of the Season.

What you will need; an air compressor (with attachments), 1 gallon of RV antifreeze, 1 1/16” socket and ratchet (for removing water heater anode rod), plastic city water adapter with nipple, and 4 feet of ¼ inch plastic tubing.

First; remove the cap on RV water tank drain line. Empty completely. On most units, this is found on the underbelly of the RV.

Second; remove the water heater anode and drain. This will remove almost all of the water out of the entire system. When done, find the input water line to the water heater and close the bypass valve.

Third; remove both hot and cold water caps on each drain line, again, found on the underbelly of the RV. Go inside the RV and turn on the auxiliary water pump. Step outside of the RV and look underneath the unit, making sure there is no more water coming out of the lines. Shut off the water pump and put a cap back on the cold water line, leaving the hot water line open.

Forth; power up your compressor and allow it to pressure up with air. Screw the plastic city water adapter into the “City Water” connection. Next, connect the ¼ inch tubing to the nipple and then connect the other end to your air compressor blow gun.

Fifth; blow air into the system and look underneath the unit to make sure no water is coming out of the hot water line. Cap off the hot water line. Remove the cold water cap and do the same thing. When done, place both hot and cold water caps back on the lines, closing off the system.

Sixth; you’ll need another hand for this step. Starting at the closest water utilities, which is the bathroom in our unit, have your wife or friend push down the toilet lever. When open, send air into the system and make sure no water is coming out of that line. Next, move to the sink, doing the same thing with both the hot and cold lines, separately. Do this with all lines, including the shower, all sinks, and outside water utilities, like a shower. (Careful not to pressure the lines with air with everything closed off.)

Seventh; Use a 2 foot piece of ¼ inch tubing to extract any remaining water at the bottom of the water heater by siphoning it out. When done, inspect the anode to make sure it doesn’t need to be replaced and then install it back into the water heater. Go back to the input line to the water heater and open the bypass valve back up.

Eighth; pour the RV antifreeze into ALL pee traps via the sinks, including the waterless pee trap in the shower. I use about a 1/3 of a gallon in each.

You’re all set and ready to put your RV to bed for the winter!

10-08-2021, 12:53 PM	#1
Marineman Member Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Moses Lake Posts: 80	How to Winterize Your RV Using Compressed Air This post is going to explain how to winterize your RV using compressed air. I live in the great Northwest where the winters are very cold and where all who have RV’s must winterize their unit before putting them in storage. I’ve had 2 different RV’s in the last 14 years and the process is virtually the same for both of them. All said and done, this can be completed in 1 hour. By using compressed air there is no need to fill your lines with antifreeze and it’s a snap in the Spring to hook up water, recharge your system, and take off on your first trip of the Season. What you will need; an air compressor (with attachments), 1 gallon of RV antifreeze, 1 1/16” socket and ratchet (for removing water heater anode rod), plastic city water adapter with nipple, and 4 feet of ¼ inch plastic tubing. First; remove the cap on RV water tank drain line. Empty completely. On most units, this is found on the underbelly of the RV. Second; remove the water heater anode and drain. This will remove almost all of the water out of the entire system. When done, find the input water line to the water heater and close the bypass valve. Third; remove both hot and cold water caps on each drain line, again, found on the underbelly of the RV. Go inside the RV and turn on the auxiliary water pump. Step outside of the RV and look underneath the unit, making sure there is no more water coming out of the lines. Shut off the water pump and put a cap back on the cold water line, leaving the hot water line open. Forth; power up your compressor and allow it to pressure up with air. Screw the plastic city water adapter into the “City Water” connection. Next, connect the ¼ inch tubing to the nipple and then connect the other end to your air compressor blow gun. Fifth; blow air into the system and look underneath the unit to make sure no water is coming out of the hot water line. Cap off the hot water line. Remove the cold water cap and do the same thing. When done, place both hot and cold water caps back on the lines, closing off the system. Sixth; you’ll need another hand for this step. Starting at the closest water utilities, which is the bathroom in our unit, have your wife or friend push down the toilet lever. When open, send air into the system and make sure no water is coming out of that line. Next, move to the sink, doing the same thing with both the hot and cold lines, separately. Do this with all lines, including the shower, all sinks, and outside water utilities, like a shower. (Careful not to pressure the lines with air with everything closed off.) Seventh; Use a 2 foot piece of ¼ inch tubing to extract any remaining water at the bottom of the water heater by siphoning it out. When done, inspect the anode to make sure it doesn’t need to be replaced and then install it back into the water heater. Go back to the input line to the water heater and open the bypass valve back up. Eighth; pour the RV antifreeze into ALL pee traps via the sinks, including the waterless pee trap in the shower. I use about a 1/3 of a gallon in each. You’re all set and ready to put your RV to bed for the winter!