How to Winterize Your Jayco Trailer

Properly preparing your Jayco travel trailer for the harsh conditions of winter can prevent unpleasant surprises and costly repairs when warmer weather returns and you are ready to camp. Freezing conditions and heavy snows can wreak havoc on water systems, batteries and tires if you don't take precautions to help your trailer survive the harsh winter.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Tire covers
RV Antifreeze

Step 1

Turn off the refrigerator, propane tanks, pumps, heaters and lights. Leave the refrigerator's doors open after turning it off.

Step 2

Pressurize the tires to the maximum allowed and cover them. Tire covers are available from your local RV supply store. If you are unsure of the maximum allowable pressure for your tires, consult your tire manufacturer.

Step 3

Lower the stabilizers. This will alleviate pressure on the tires as the trailer sits for the long winter.

Step 4

Blow out the water lines and drain the freshwater tank and hot water heater. This is in preparation for filling the water system with antifreeze.

Step 5

Fill the water system with RV antifreeze. This is probably the most critical step, as any water in your lines can cause pipes to burst in freezing temperatures. Fill the freshwater tank with antifreeze and then run each faucet and flush the toilet until you see red, which is the antifreeze. Pour antifreeze down the drains as well.

Tips & Warnings

Only use RV antifreeze in your water system. Automobile antifreeze is toxic, whereas RV antifreeze is not harmful if ingested. There will be residue in your tank after you drain it in the spring.

Article Written By Christopher Williams

Christopher Williams has spent over 11 years working in the information technology, health care and outdoor recreation fields. He has over seven years of technical and educational writing experience, and has brought strong skills and passion to the Demand Studios team in articles for eHow and Trails in 2009.

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