How to Drain an RV Water Tank for a Winter Freeze

Draining your water tank in your RV is an important step of your winterizing schedule. If this step is missed it can cause your tank to break down sooner than it should, causing expensive replacements down the road. With just a few steps you can have your water tank taken care of and lasting a lot longer over the years of enjoying your RV.

Things You'll Need

• 4-6 gallons of RV approved antifreeze
• Socket wrench

Instructions

1. Turn the water heater off. Allow the water to cool completely, this may take several hours. Open the hot faucet to release the pressure built up from the water heater.

2. 

   Remove the plug from the water heater and allow the water to drain out. The water heater is located in the outside compartment, the plug is in the bottom left corner.

3. Open the pressure relief valve to assist with the water draining.

4. Find the lowest points in the water lines. There will be one for the hot and cold lines. Open the valve and allow them to drain.

5. Locate the drain for the fresh water holding tank and unplug it and allow the water to drain.

6. Turn the water heater by-pass valve to by-pass position. Open all water faucets.

7. Turn on the water pump for 30 seconds to drain any remaining water.

8. Pour RV approved antifreeze into drains, toilets, p-traps and tanks.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to dewinterize your RV before using it again.

• Wear safety glasses for protection.

References

• Winterizing Your RV
• Resources for RV info