Winterizing your 2018 Forest River travel trailer is crucial to prevent costly damage from freezing temperatures. Proper winterization involves draining the water system, adding antifreeze, and protecting vulnerable components to ensure your trailer is ready for its next adventure.
Why Winterization is Essential
Neglecting to winterize your 2018 Forest River travel trailer can lead to disastrous consequences. Water expands when it freezes, putting immense pressure on pipes, fittings, water heaters, and even the RV’s structure. This can result in cracked pipes, burst fixtures, damaged appliances, and potentially thousands of dollars in repairs. Investing the time and effort to winterize your trailer is a small price to pay compared to the cost of repairing freeze damage.
Step-by-Step Winterization Process
Here’s a detailed guide to winterizing your 2018 Forest River travel trailer. It’s important to note that while this guide is specific to a 2018 model, many of the steps are universal across different years and models of Forest River travel trailers. However, always consult your owner’s manual for model-specific instructions and recommendations.
1. Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin, gather all the necessary supplies:
- RV Antifreeze: Use only RV antifreeze, which is non-toxic and safe for potable water systems. The amount you need will depend on the size of your trailer’s plumbing system. Typically, 2-3 gallons is sufficient for a smaller trailer.
- Water Heater Bypass Kit (if installed): If your trailer has a water heater bypass kit, locate it.
- Water Pump Converter Kit (or tubing): This allows you to pump antifreeze through the water lines. If you don’t have a kit, you’ll need a short length of tubing.
- Wrench: For removing drain plugs.
- Screwdriver: For accessing certain components.
- Air Compressor (optional): An air compressor can help blow out the water lines, speeding up the draining process.
- Plumbing Tape (Teflon tape): For resealing drain plugs.
- Basin or Bucket: To catch water.
2. Drain the Water System
This is the most crucial step. Thoroughly draining the water system prevents water from freezing and causing damage.
- Drain the Fresh Water Tank: Locate the fresh water tank drain valve and open it to allow all the water to drain completely.
- Drain the Water Heater: Turn off the water heater (both gas and electric) and let it cool completely. Open the access panel on the outside of the trailer and remove the drain plug. Be careful, as some water may still be hot. If your water heater has an anode rod, inspect it and replace it if it’s corroded. After draining, replace the drain plug with plumbing tape.
- Drain the Low Point Drains: Locate the hot and cold water low point drain valves, typically near the floor of the trailer. Open these valves to drain any remaining water in the plumbing lines.
- Bypass the Water Heater: If your trailer has a water heater bypass kit, use it to divert the antifreeze around the water heater. This saves you from filling the water heater tank with antifreeze, which is unnecessary.
3. Blow Out the Water Lines (Optional)
Using an air compressor to blow out the water lines can help remove any remaining water.
- Connect the air compressor to the city water inlet.
- Set the compressor to a low pressure (around 30-40 PSI).
- Open each faucet (hot and cold) and toilet valve, one at a time, until air comes out. This forces any remaining water out of the lines.
4. Add RV Antifreeze
Now, it’s time to introduce RV antifreeze into the plumbing system.
- Bypass the Water Heater (If not already done): Ensure the water heater is bypassed.
- Install the Water Pump Converter Kit (or tubing): This kit allows you to draw antifreeze from a bottle directly into the water pump. If you don’t have a kit, disconnect the water pump inlet hose from the fresh water tank and attach a short length of tubing that you can insert into a bottle of antifreeze.
- Turn on the Water Pump: Turn on the water pump.
- Open Each Faucet and Toilet Valve: Starting with the faucet furthest from the water pump, open both the hot and cold valves until you see pink antifreeze coming out. Repeat this process for each faucet and shower in the trailer. Flush the toilet until you see pink antifreeze.
- Pour Antifreeze Down Drains: Pour a cup of antifreeze down each drain (kitchen sink, bathroom sink, shower/tub). This protects the P-traps from freezing.
5. Protect Other Components
Beyond the plumbing system, several other components need protection.
- Black and Gray Water Tanks: After emptying the black and gray water tanks, pour several gallons of RV antifreeze into each tank. This will prevent any residual water from freezing and damaging the tank valves.
- Toilets: Flush the toilet after adding antifreeze to the black water tank.
- Exterior Shower (if applicable): Don’t forget to winterize the exterior shower, if your trailer has one. Follow the same procedure as the interior faucets.
- Seals and Lubrication: Lubricate door and window seals with a silicone-based lubricant. This helps prevent them from sticking or cracking in cold weather.
6. Other Considerations
- Battery: Disconnect the battery and store it in a cool, dry place. Check the water levels if it’s a lead-acid battery and add distilled water if necessary.
- Tires: Cover the tires to protect them from UV rays.
- Exterior: Consider covering the entire trailer with a breathable RV cover to protect it from the elements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about winterizing a 2018 Forest River travel trailer:
FAQ 1: Can I use regular automotive antifreeze in my RV?
No! Never use automotive antifreeze in your RV’s potable water system. Automotive antifreeze is highly toxic and can contaminate your water system, making it unsafe to use even after flushing. Always use RV antifreeze, which is non-toxic and specifically designed for this purpose.
FAQ 2: How much RV antifreeze do I need?
The amount of RV antifreeze you need depends on the size of your trailer’s plumbing system. A good estimate is 2-3 gallons for a smaller trailer and 4-6 gallons for a larger trailer. It’s always better to have a little extra than not enough.
FAQ 3: What is a water heater bypass kit, and do I need one?
A water heater bypass kit allows you to isolate the water heater from the rest of the plumbing system. This is important because it prevents you from having to fill the entire water heater tank with antifreeze, saving you money and antifreeze. If your trailer has one, use it. If not, it’s a worthwhile investment.
FAQ 4: Do I need to drain my water heater every time I store my RV?
Draining your water heater after each trip is not always necessary, but it’s a good practice to follow if you are storing your RV for an extended period, especially in climates where temperatures are not consistently above freezing. Always drain before winterizing.
FAQ 5: My trailer has a built-in water filter. Do I need to do anything special?
Yes. Remove the water filter cartridge before winterizing. You can either bypass the filter housing or leave the empty housing in place. If you leave the housing in place, pour a small amount of RV antifreeze into it. Replace the filter cartridge in the spring.
FAQ 6: Can I use an air compressor to completely replace the need for antifreeze?
While blowing out the lines with an air compressor helps remove water, it doesn’t guarantee that all the water is removed. There are often low points and areas where water can collect. Using RV antifreeze provides an extra layer of protection.
FAQ 7: What happens if I forget to winterize my RV?
Forgetting to winterize your RV can lead to costly damage from freezing. Pipes can crack, fixtures can burst, and appliances can be damaged. Repairs can easily run into the thousands of dollars.
FAQ 8: How long does it take to winterize an RV?
Winterizing an RV typically takes 2-4 hours, depending on the size of the trailer and your experience level.
FAQ 9: How often should I winterize my RV?
You should winterize your RV every year if you live in a climate where temperatures drop below freezing.
FAQ 10: Where should I store my RV antifreeze?
Store RV antifreeze in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Keep it out of reach of children and pets.
FAQ 11: How do I de-winterize my RV in the spring?
To de-winterize, flush the entire water system with fresh water until all traces of antifreeze are gone. Sanitize the fresh water tank and plumbing lines with a bleach solution. Replace the water filter cartridge and inspect all plumbing connections for leaks.
FAQ 12: Is it better to have a professional winterize my RV?
If you’re not comfortable winterizing your RV yourself, or if you’re unsure about any of the steps, it’s always a good idea to have a professional do it. This ensures that the job is done correctly and can prevent costly damage. Professional RV service centers can provide this service.
By following these steps and addressing these FAQs, you can confidently winterize your 2018 Forest River travel trailer and protect it from the damaging effects of freezing temperatures. This will ensure your trailer is ready for many more years of camping adventures.