How to Winterize Your RV Before Putting It in Storage

Texas winters are milder than up north, but one hard freeze is all it takes to burst a pipe and turn your spring camping trip into a repair bill. If you're putting your RV in storage for the winter around Aledo, here's how to winterize it right.

Drain the Water System

This is the big one. Water left in pipes, tanks, or the water heater will freeze, expand, and crack fittings.

1. Drain the fresh water tank, gray tank, and black tank completely. Dump stations — like the one here at Big Tom's — make this easy on your way in.
2. Drain the water heater. Open the pressure relief valve and remove the drain plug.
3. Open every faucet (hot and cold), the shower, and the toilet valve to let water drain out.
4. Blow out the lines with compressed air, or pump non-toxic RV antifreeze through the system. Don't use automotive antifreeze — it's toxic.

Protect the Exterior

• Wash the RV thoroughly before storage. Dirt and grime left all winter stain gel coat and damage decals.
• Check every roof seam and window seal. Re-caulk anything cracked — winter rain finds every gap.
• Cover the tires or park on boards. UV and sitting in one spot all winter flat-spots tires.
• Close all vents and windows. Mice love an open RV vent.

Battery and Fuel

• Disconnect the batteries or hook them to a trickle charger. A dead battery left all winter may never come back.
• Fill the fuel tank and add fuel stabilizer. A half-empty tank collects condensation.

Inside the RV

• Remove all food — every crumb. Mice and ants will find it.
• Prop the fridge doors open so they don't mildew.
• Leave roof vents cracked (with vent covers) for airflow.

Where You Store It Matters

An RV sitting in an open field takes the full beating: hail, sun, wind, rain. Covered storage keeps the worst of the weather off the roof and sides. Enclosed storage — a private garage with four walls and a roof — is the best protection you can get, especially against Texas hail season.

At Big Tom's here in Aledo, we've got covered spaces for rigs up to 50 feet and enclosed garages that go first every year. If you're winterizing anyway, it's worth storing it somewhere the weather can't get to it.

The Short Version

Drain everything, antifreeze the lines, disconnect the batteries, clean it up, and store it under a roof. Do that and your RV will be ready to roll when camping season comes back — instead of sitting in a repair shop.

Need a spot for the winter? Call us at (817) 775-5402 and we'll tell you what's open.