After the warm weather of the summer months slip away and winter approaches it is important to ensure your 5th wheel is ready for the colder weather even if you plan to use your 5th wheel throughout the winter months or store it until the spring.
With some 5th wheels they can be upgraded to include winter packs meaning they are packed with additional structure insulation for winter use but also around the vital workings of the 5th wheel like water tanks and pipes along with gas lockers and pipes too this helps to protect these vital workings especially in freezing weather, The last thing you want when you open up for the spring is to find a cracked tank of split pipe as it was full of water over the winter.
We have some tips and tricks to ensure your 5th wheel is winter storage ready. Remember to consult your owners manual for specific instructions applicable to your model.
- If you have any inline water filters remove and bypass before starting.
- Drain the fresh water holding tank.
- Drain and flush the grey and black holding tanks. If your 5th wheel doesn’t have a built in tank flushing system, clean the black tank out with a hose you may want to use a specialist cleaning fluid to freshen up the tanks.
- Drain the water heater. Remove the drain plug and open the pressure relief valve. Remember (never drain the water heater when it is hot or under pressure)
- Open all hot and cold taps; don’t forget the toilet valve and outside shower if your unit has these.
- 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.
- Flush the toilet until there is no more water left..
- 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 taps are open.
- Consult your owner manuals for winterizing icemakers and washing machines if this is applicable to you.
- The unit is winterized.
Other areas for consideration for long periods of winter storage are:
Tire Protection
Make sure you are covering your tires. Keeping them under cover with tire covers will protect them from the elements and help towards saving them from wall cracking.
Full 5th Wheel Covers
The weather can have serious effects on your RV paint and body work in general if you cannot store your 5th wheel in a covered structure. Protect your 5th wheel from the elements by investing in either a 5th wheel cover
Batteries
You need to keep your battery topped up through the winter, even if you are not using them. There are a few options here.
- Leave the unit plugged in to the mains power supply .
- If the unit has a solar system fitted and has access to daylight you need do nothing as they are designed to keep maintained at all times
- Plug the unit into the main power supply once a month for about 8 hours and let the converter charger top the batteries up
- Remove the batteries from the 5th wheel altogether and store them in a cool dry place charging them as needed.
