Apply lubricant to them. Stock Up Well before you leave. Do this for both your shower and your sink and you'll be in good shape. In most cases, there is a blue pipe for cold water and a red pipe for hot water. How To Winterize A Pop Up Camper: after perfectly winterizing and heating the travel trailer.
Now that snow flurries are in the forecast, it is time to think about winterizing your RV. For the toilet, someone will hold the flush on the toilet down while the other person pumps in the antifreeze. How to winterize your pop-up camper.
With time, though, the finish can come off. You need to buy 4 gallons of antifreeze vs 1 gallon for Method #1. Make sure your fridge is off, empty, defrosted, cleaned, and completely dry before you store your RV. If you must keep your camper outdoors in the elements for the next several months, then you want to park it in a shady spot. Seal the openings of the underside vents and pipe openings with 'shrink wrap' so that pests don't end up partying at these niches. By limiting the number of leaks in your camper, you will be able to keep your camper warm easier. Simple Assembly - Lightweight Pieces Quickly Connect; Easy To Disassemble And Move. There's still plenty to do outdoors during the colder fall and winter months, but cold weather camping isn't for everyone, and so most of us end up facing the question of how to winterize our rigs at some point. If not, you could always park the vehicle on your street. This condenses into warm water vapor, which lands on your chilly parts.
Keep a Full Tank (or at least half full). It is also another tool for keeping us warm during the night by using extra energy. However, this is even more true when you live in a pop up camper. Winter is one of the best times to get out there and explore so don't let the freezing cold scare you away. You can use a popup camper during the winter, but you will need to take measures to ensure that you stay warm. In order from least to most expensive to replace, they are: - Faucets. A propane heater is a good option for you because it does not need electricity to function. Hook up a hand pump to the city water inlet – When you do this, open the faucet and start pumping antifreeze through the pipes using the hand pump (note: this requires a separate hand pump). How to Insulate a Pop Up Camper. As a result, you need to be mentally prepared for a winter trip in one of these campers. From your refrigerator to small counter appliances and alarm clocks, if they're staying onboard for the winter, then don't leave them plugged in. Gross visual, but it works. Otherwise, you can always dump a cassette toilet outside at a dumping station at your leisure.
It's not just food, either. Winterizing a pop up camper with compressed air is relatively quick and easy if you have an air compressor, and it usually gets the job done just fine. Attach a roughly two foot hose to the inlet of your water pump. Most travel trailers and 5th wheels come equipped with low point valves. One of the materials that I found quite effective is the same reflective bubble foam or any thermal reflective insulation that I used to insulate the windows of the bunk beds. Check the portable toilet pipes and water holdings for drainage of each individual drop.
When you pull these t-handle valves and open your sink faucet. Remove all food items from the pop-up camper along with any items that could rust or explode (spray cans, etc). There is also a detection system on the heater that will detect if there is any carbon monoxide in the room, or if there is a lack of oxygen. Reconnect the water pump to the fresh water tank. Other parts of winterizing, such as removing anything that might grow mold or mildew, and installing a pop up camper cover or storing your rig under cover, are also important for the longevity of the unit. Lubricate and Lubricate Some More. Additionally, you can use foam insulation boards to help create a protective layer between you and the cold air. So, you will notice when you wake up in the morning you're not jumping from that cocoon of the warmth of the electric blanket into a cold room. To run it really really low, good insulation is critical to keep the heat inside as best we can. Also, remember that concrete is better than dirt, since it can become mud when it thaws or gets wet. Repair these holes and leakages immediately as you notice them.
After winterizing their pop up RV, many people choose to perform other maintenance tasks. Along with UL94 V-0 flame-retardant materials to ensure ultimate safety in all aspects. Reinstall the plug or close the petcock after the hot water tank has drained. Reattach the fresh water tank to the water pump. Add our small heater to your cart & experience our amazing heater and customer service. Kept my car outside.
I recommend storing your travel trailer in a covered spot, even just a covered roof, to protect it from the elements. Pop Up Camper Winterizing Checklist. You do not want to return to your travel trailer in a few months to find nasty mold growing in your black tank. Fleece bed sheets enhance comfort and keep you warm during winter. Moreover, I encourage you to adjust the thermostat to between 50 and 55 in the winter.
The first thing you should do is make sure that your camper is built to hold in heat. The 12-volt blanket is designed to sit on you or under you and then have a blanket laid over top of them to trap heat. What Is the Best Propane Heater for a Pop Up Camper? Solar Panels and Deep Cycle RV Batteries. Then empty the rest of the antifreeze into the sink to remove the remaining water. Replace the indicator tube and close the exterior access door.
If you plan on living in your pop up camper all year round, or you just want to go on a winter vacation, it is a good idea to insulate your camper. Otherwise, you will wake up in the middle of the night with terrible heat. The most important thing is to remove the water in all the pipes and tanks of your camper to avoid ending up with cracked pipes in the spring. OVERHEATING PROTECTION: Equipped with thermostat to keep constant warmth and for overheating protection.
You can maneuver your car easier when you have a smaller package to tow, so you can also get to areas you would not be able to otherwise. Can a 12-volt blanket heat a pop-up camper? For the toilet, someone will need to hold the flush on the toilet down while the air compressor blows out any remaining water from the line. If it's a major appliance, replacing it can be expensive. Tips for storing your travel trailer outdoors: make sure your trailer is slightly off-level front to back and/or side to side to allow water/ice/snow to flow off the sides. Especially if you have also isolated it as I explained at the beginning of the article. Compositing solid wastes will help to keep them from freezing and doing damage to your sewage line. First things first, a thorough cleaning of the Camper after usage is required to remove any dirt or dust. There's no need to pay $100+ to have someone winterize your RV (Camping World charges $149). And I'm going to explain why you should have an adjustable auto shut-off. However, that does not mean that you cannot use them in the winter if you take the proper precautions. Not everyone will have the mental fortitude to be out in their camper the whole winter.
You can absolutely winterize your camper yourself because fortunately, RV manufacturers have made this process quick and easy, especially on newer rigs. This will allow air flow and prevent mold growth. Outdoor Pop-Up Camper Storage Tips. Snow and ice can cause a lot of issues for rubber roofs and seals. Then, to avoid any stains that may be caused by this product, it is advisable to wipe off any dripping antifreeze. It's so important then to care for your batteries, charging them when they get low and watching your wattage on the items and appliances you use. Not only can your camper suffer from damage from a harsh winter, but you may also find that living inside of the camper during the cold can be challenging.
Winterize Your Shower and Sinks. If you're lucky enough to have an interior shower in your pop up camper, you'll have to do some work to get it ready for the season.