That
time
of
the
year
is
here
again.
Leaves
start
falling
from
the
trees,
the
days
are
shorter
and
the
nights
are
colder.
Fall
is
almost
upon
us.
This
is
the
time
of
year
you
need
to
decide
if
your
camping
season
is
over.
Parking
your
RV
for
the
winter
requires
some
preventive
measures
so
it
will
be
ready
to
use
next
spring.
You'll
also
be
glad
you
did
it
when
you
don't
have
costly
repair
bills
due
to
the
damaging
results
of
winter.
Now
the
question
is
how
do
you
prepare
it
for
winter,
and
who
will
be
doing
it?
Poulsbo
RV
is
offering
a
Winterization
Special
for
only
$14.95,
but
if
you
are
one
of
those
people
who
like
to
do-it-yourself,
here
is
a
quick
checklist
to
help
you.
Before
you
get
started
there
are
a
few
items
you
will
need
to
have:
- Non-toxic
RV
antifreeze
(The
amount
depends
on
the
layout
and
length
of
your
plumbing
lines.
Two
to
three
gallons
will
normally
do).
-
A
water
heater
by-pass
kit,
if
not
already
installed.
-
A
wand
to
clean
out
holding
tanks.
-
A
water
pump
converter
kit,
or
tubing
to
connect
to
the
inlet
side
of
the
water
pump.
-
Basic
hand
tools
to
remove
drain
plugs.
Now
we
can
winterize
the
RV
water
system
to
protect
it
from
freezing.
Be
sure
to
read
your
owners
manuals
for
unit
specific
winterizing
guidelines.
Follow
the
steps
below
that
apply
to
your
RV.
- If
you
have
any
inline
water
filters
remove
and
bypass
before
starting.
-
Drain
the
fresh
water
holding
tank.
-
Drain
and
flush
the
gray
and
black
holding
tanks.
If
your
RV
doesn't
have
a
built
in
tank
flushing
system
clean
the
black
tank
out
with
a
wand.Lubricate
the
termination
valves
with
WD
40.
-
Drain
the
water
heater.
Remove
the
drain
plug
and
open
the
pressure
relief
valve.
CAUTION
(never
drain
the
water
heater
when
it
is
hot
or
under
pressure)
-
Open
all
hot
and
cold
faucets;
don't
forget
the
toilet
valve
and
outside
shower.
-
Locate
and
open
the
low
point
drain
lines.
There
will
be
one
for
the
hot
and
cold
water
lines.
Using
the
water
pump
will
help
force
water
out,
but
turn
it
off
as
soon
as
the
system
is
drained.
- Recap
all
drains
and
close
all
faucets.
-
By-pass
the
water
heater.
If
you
do
not
have
a
by-pass
kit
installed
the
water
heater
will
fill
up
with
antifreeze
before
it
goes
through
the
water
lines,
wasting
six
gallons
of
antifreeze.
-
Install
a
water
pump
converter
kit,
or
disconnect
the
inlet
side
of
the
water
pump
(the
line
coming
from
the
fresh
water
holding
tank).
Connect
a
piece
of
clear
tubing
to
the
inlet
side
of
the
pump
and
put
the
other
end
into
a
one
gallon
container
of
non-toxic
RV
antifreeze.
-
Turn
the
water
pump
on
and
pressurize
the
system.
Starting
with
the
closest
faucet,
slowly
open
the
hot
and
then
cold
valves
until
antifreeze
appears.
Replace
the
antifreeze
container
as
required.
- Repeat
this
process
on
all
faucets
from
the
closest
to
the
farthest
away.
Don't
forget
the
outside
shower,
if
equipped.
-
Flush
the
toilet
until
antifreeze
appears.
-
Turn
the
water
pump
off
and
open
a
faucet
to
release
the
pressure.
Go
outside
to
the
city
water
inlet.
Remove
the
small
screen
over
the
inlet
and
push
in
on
the
valve
with
a
small
screwdriver
until
you
see
antifreeze.
Replace
the
screen.
-
Pour
a
cupful
of
antifreeze
down
each
drain.
Pour
a
couple
of
cups
in
the
toilet
and
flush
into
the
holding
tank.
-
If
your
water
heater
has
an
electric
heating
element
make
sure
it
is
turned
off.
This
will
protect
the
element
if
the
unit
is
plugged
in
while
being
stored.
-
Make
sure
all
the
faucets
are
closed.
-
Consult
your
owner
manuals
for
winterizing
icemakers
and
washing
machines.
- The
unit
is
winterized.
This
checklist
is
a
basic
guide
that
was
intended
to
assist
you
in
winterizing
your
RV.
As
with
many
other
checklists
it
would
be
impossible
to
cover
every
RV.
It
is
extremely
important
that
you
read
your
owner's
manuals
for
unit
specific
winterizing
guidelines.
Poulsbo
RV
will
be
holding
a
FREE
Winterization
Seminar
on
Saturday,
September
25th
and
October
2nd,
at
1pm,
in
our
Everett
and
Kent
locations.
We’ll
go
over
all
that
you
need
to
winterize
your
RV
as
well
as
answer
any
questions
you
may
have.
