Winter is coming for your RV: A Clark County owner's guide to winterization

The first frosts of the season usually reach Clark County in late October or early November. For RV owners, that is the signal to protect the plumbing before the weather does the damage. Brian Free, Parts & Service Manager of McCords Vancouver RV in Battle Ground, explains why winterization matters, when to start, and which steps owners most often miss.

Why winterization matters

Water expands when it freezes, and an RV has plenty of places for water to hide. Supply lines, the water heater, the pump, low-point drains, faucets, the toilet valve and the outdoor shower are all at risk.

"One hard overnight freeze can crack a fitting or split a line," Free said. "Most owners don't find out until spring, when they turn the water on and it runs inside a wall or under the floor."

By then the damage goes well beyond a cheap part. Owners can face water damage, delamination and mold. A proper winterization costs a fraction of that repair and protects the value of the coach. It is also a good time to check the roof and seals before months of Pacific Northwest rain.
When Clark County owners should start

Free and his team recommends winterizing by mid-to-late October, and always before the first forecast hard freeze. A hard freeze means temperatures stay below 32°F for several hours.

The first frosts usually arrive in late October or early November. Battle Ground and the foothills tend to see them earlier than central Vancouver.

"Don't wait for the cold snap," Free said. "Service schedules fill up fast once the forecast turns."

Owners planning a late-season trip should book their appointment right after they return. Owners who camp through the winter need a different plan, such as heated tank pads and skirting, rather than a full winterization.

Steps owners often overlook

Even experienced owners skip steps that seem minor. Free says these are the ones his technicians see missed most often:

• Water heater bypass. Skip the bypass and you fill a 6- to 10-gallon tank with antifreeze. Drain the tank without bypassing it and water can stay trapped in the lines.
• Outdoor showers, kitchens and wash-down hoses. These lines are easy to forget and among the most exposed on the unit.
• Ice makers, washers and dishwashers. Each has its own winterization steps, and generic guides often leave them out.
• Low-point drains and check valves. Water can stay trapped here even after the system looks empty.
• Holding tanks. Dump and flush the tanks, and add a little antifreeze to the P-traps.
• Batteries. A connected battery slowly runs flat over the winter, and a flat battery can freeze. Charge it, then disconnect it or keep it on a maintainer.
• Moisture and rodents. In our wet climate, sealing entry points and controlling interior humidity matter as much as the plumbing.
• Roof and seals. Fall is the time to find a failed seal, before the winter rain does. This about covering your RV through the winter months.

How McCords Vancouver RV helps

The service department at McCords Vancouver RV, part of the Vancouver Toyota family, winterizes travel trailers, fifth wheels and motorhomes starting at $95.00 for basic and $190.00 for complete winterization. With the complete service, our technicians drain and bypass the water heater, blow out the lines and run RV antifreeze through every fixture, including the ones owners tend to forget.

While a unit is in the shop, the team can also check roof and window seals and test the batteries. $360.00 for 40-POINT Inspection and $499.95 for 40-POINT Inspection and Appliance Service.

A new mobile service brings the shop to you

For owners who can't easily get their RV to the dealership, McCords now offers mobile service. A technician can winterize the unit in the owner's driveway or at their storage site.

"We kept hearing the same thing from customers: getting the RV to us is often the hardest part," Free said. Many owners don't have a tow vehicle sized for their trailer, keep the unit at a storage lot, or can't spare a day for drop-off and pickup.

Small jobs and seasonal services are exactly what people put off for those reasons. Free notes that putting them off is how a small problem becomes an expensive one. The mobile service sends a qualified technician to the customer, makes routine maintenance easier to keep up with, and frees the shop bays for larger repairs. McCords charges $100 mobile service charge + $95.00 minimum labor charge to come to your site. That's $195.00 for mobile service arrival with 1/2 hour of labor. Call McCords today!

Book before the first freeze

To schedule a winterization at the shop or through mobile service, call the McCords Vancouver RV service line at (360) 816-1346 or visit McCord's Vancouver RV. McCords Vancouver RV is located at 17733 NE 120th Avenue, Battle Ground, WA 98604.