North Texas winters are unpredictable. One week it's 70 degrees; the next, a hard freeze drops temperatures into the teens. For RV owners, that unpredictability makes proper winterization essential — even if you only need it for a few nights per year.

This guide covers everything North Texas RV owners need to know about winterizing, storing, and de-winterizing their rigs.

North Texas Freeze Risk: What You're Protecting Against

Water expands when it freezes. In an RV, that expansion can:

• Burst PEX or PVC water lines
• Crack the water pump housing
• Damage the water heater tank
• Crack fittings and valves

The damage isn't always immediately obvious — a cracked fitting may not leak until the system is pressurized in the spring. A thorough winterization prevents all of it.

Full Winterization Checklist

Water System

Fresh water tank:

• Drain completely
• Leave the drain valve open during storage

Water heater:

• Turn off and allow to cool completely
• Remove the drain plug or anode rod and drain fully
• Leave the drain open during storage
• Bypass the water heater before pumping antifreeze

Water lines:

• Use compressed air or RV antifreeze to clear all lines (see our RV Winterization Tips post for detailed steps on each method)
• Include all faucets, the toilet, the outside shower, and any appliance water lines

P-traps:

• Pour RV antifreeze into every drain (kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower, toilet bowl) to protect the P-traps from freezing

Batteries

• Fully charge all house and chassis batteries
• Connect to a battery maintainer or disconnect and store indoors
• A discharged battery can freeze and be permanently damaged at temperatures below 20°F

Propane System

• Turn off the main propane valve at the tank
• Leave a small amount of propane in the tanks — completely empty tanks can accumulate moisture

Exterior

• Clean and inspect the roof; reseal any questionable areas before storage
• Apply a UV protectant to the rubber roof
• Cover the RV if storing outdoors — a quality cover prevents UV damage and keeps debris off the seals
• Cover the tires to prevent UV sidewall cracking

Interior

• Remove all food, beverages, and anything that could freeze or attract pests
• Leave cabinet doors and drawers open to allow air circulation
• Place moisture absorbers (DampRid) inside to control humidity
• Set mouse traps or use deterrents — rodents love to nest in stored RVs

Partial Winterization for Occasional Winter Use

If you use your RV occasionally during winter, you have two options:

Option 1: Full winterize/de-winterize each time. More work, but fully protects the system between uses.

Option 2: Use a heated water hose and tank heaters. Heated accessories keep the water system from freezing during use, but you must monitor temperatures and have a plan if power fails.

For most North Texas owners who camp occasionally in winter, Option 1 is more practical.

Spring De-Winterization

When camping season returns, de-winterize before your first trip.

If you used antifreeze:

1. Install a new water filter
2. Connect to city water and flush all lines until the pink color is gone from every faucet
3. Sanitize the fresh water tank (1/4 cup bleach per 15 gallons; fill, run through faucets, let sit 4 hours, drain and flush)
4. Reinstall the water heater drain plug or anode rod
5. Fill the water heater and check for leaks before turning it on

If you used compressed air:

1. Reinstall the water heater drain plug or anode rod
2. Fill the fresh water tank or connect to city water
3. Open all faucets and let water run until flow is steady
4. Sanitize the fresh water tank as above
5. Check all connections for leaks under pressure

After de-winterization:

• Test all appliances
• Check battery charge
• Inspect the roof and exterior for any winter damage
• Test smoke, CO, and LP gas detectors

Mobile Winterization and De-Winterization in North Texas

Done Right RV Repair provides mobile winterization and spring de-winterization service throughout the DFW Metroplex and surrounding North Texas communities. Our RVTI Master Certified technician handles the entire process at your location.

Call us or request service online.