How to Winterize Your Camper Van
- Redpoint Vanture
- Nov 10, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 11, 2025
❓ Why Winterizing Matters
If you live or travel in a region where winter temperatures drop below freezing, winterizing your camper van is not optional — it’s critical. Any water left inside your plumbing lines can freeze, expand, and burst fittings, pipes, pumps, or even your water heater. That’s because when water freezes, it expands by about 10% in volume. In a closed plumbing system, that expansion puts enormous pressure on plastic lines and metal fittings, often causing expensive damage.
Winterizing your van prevents:
Cracked water lines
Damaged water pumps
Split water heater tanks
Spring-time repair bills in the hundreds or thousands
🧊 Two Ways to Winterize a Camper Van
There are two common and effective methods:
Method | How It Works | Pros | Cons |
RV Antifreeze | Replace water in the system with non-toxic antifreeze | Simple, no compressor needed | Costs ~$3–4 per gallon, has odor, must flush out in spring |
Air Compressor | Use air pressure to blow water out of the lines | No chemicals, no staining, no smell | Water cannot be completely drained |
⚠️ Important Antifreeze Safety Note
Before you start, note that not all antifreeze is the same. There are two very different products:
Type | Made For | Uses | Toxic? | Color |
Automotive Antifreeze | Car engine cooling system | Radiators, engines | ✅ Toxic (ethylene glycol) | Green / Orange / Yellow |
RV / Potable Water Antifreeze | RV plumbing systems | Fresh water lines, drains, P-traps | ❌ Non-toxic (propylene glycol) | Pink |
✅ Use pink RV antifreeze made with propylene glycol.
❌ Never use green/orange automotive coolant. It is toxic and will contaminate your drinking water system.
ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE LABEL: "SAFE FOR POTABLE WATER SYSTEMS" OR "PROPYLENE GLYCOL BASED RV ANTIFREEZE."
📒 What You’ll Need
RV antifreeze
Towels / bucket / gloves (optional)
Antifreeze pump (optional)
Air compressor (if use air method)
City water adapter fitting (optional)
Step-by-Step: How to Winterize with RV Antifreeze
Step-by-Step: How to Winterize with an Air Compressor
1. Drain the Fresh Water Tank
Turn on the water pump and open your kitchen faucet until the tank is empty and air begins to flow.
2. Release Any Pressure Tank (If Installed)
If your van includes a water pressure stabilizer, release air pressure before continuing.
3. Flush Water Heater
If your heater has a drain plug → remove it.
If not, flush water heater thoroughly with antifreeze
4. Flush Water Lines
Flush both cold and hot lines;
Make sure pink antifreeze is flushed thoroughly.
5. Protect the Drain System
Don't forget drainage system
Kitchen sink
Shower drain / bathroom floor pan
Grey tank
⚠️ Only use RV antifreeze (propylene glycol), and wipe spills immediately to prevent staining.
1. Drain the Fresh Water Tank
Turn on the water pump and open your kitchen faucet until the tank is empty and air begins to flow.
2. Release Any Pressure Tank (If Installed)
If your van includes a water pressure stabilizer, release air pressure before continuing.
3. Drain or Blow Out the Water Heater
If your heater has a drain plug → remove it.
If not, connect air to the hot outlet and open a cold faucet to push the water out.
4. Blow Out the Cold Water Lines
Connect compressor to city water inlet, and open faucets in this order:
(1)Kitchen: cold
(2)Bathroom: cold
(3)Rear sprayer: cold
When only air comes out, move on to the next step.
5. Blow Out the Hot Water Lines
Repeat the same process for all hot water outlets.
6. Protect the Drain System (Antifreeze Required)
Air cannot clear P-traps, so pour pink RV antifreeze into:
Kitchen sink
Shower drain / bathroom floor pan
Recommended amount: 1–2 cups per drain, until pink fluid reaches gray tank.
⚠️ Only use RV antifreeze (propylene glycol), and wipe spills immediately to prevent staining.
❌ What NOT To Do
DO NOT use automotive coolant in your water system.
DO NOT exceed 40 PSI with an air compressor.
DO NOT forget outside showers or rear sprayers.
DO NOT skip the gray tank. It can crack from the bottom up.
DO NOT leave antifreeze soaking on surfaces — wipe immediately.
🎉 Winterizing Complete!
Once you finish these steps, your van's:
✔️ Fresh water tank
✔️ Pump and plumbing lines
✔️ Water heater
✔️ Drain system
…are all protected from freeze damage.
When spring arrives, just fill the fresh tank and flush the system with clean water.
Need Winterization Done For You?
Whether you DIY or hire a pro, don’t wait for the first freeze. If you're in Michigan, we offer winterization service starting at $80 — just email us to schedule:
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