Classes show RVers how to winterize

Weatherwise, October is a fickle month.

There are the dreamy, golden days of autumn, and then whoosh – in blow frigid Arctic winds and temperatures plummet.

An early hard freeze can catch all of us off guard, but for unprepared RVers it can wreak havoc on their recreational vehicles and their wallets.

“If you are finished using your RV for the season, don’t wait, get it winterized,” said Chad Yackel, owner of Truline RV in Spokane Valley.

“A lot of people hold out because they are going to do some hunting,” Yackel said, “but anytime from mid-October on is the time to get it done.”

The primary concern in our region is the wreckage a sudden freeze can wage on an RV’s plumbing system, including the hot water heater, supply lines, commode and holding tanks.

“For a motor coach,” Yackel said, “the most likely damage is a ruptured water heater.”

If you plan to use your rig through the second week of November, there are a couple of simple tasks you can do to help mitigate damages.

“Get all the water out of your pipes and drain the water heater,” said Dick Perry of Johnson RV in Spokane.

“But remember,” he said, “doing just that won’t winterize it.”

Other things to protect

•Don’t forget those batteries.

“If a person is not able to keep their coach plugged in, they are better off pulling their RV batteries out and storing them in their garage,” said John Morrill, customer relations supervisor at R ‘n R RV Center in Liberty Lake.

Top off the batteries with water and charge once a month.

“Once the batteries freeze they are no good,” Morrill said, “and, those RV batteries run about $100 each.”

•Tires – inflate to normal pressure and park tires on sheet of plastic to keep off the ground.

“Take the weight off the tires by placing the RV on jack stands,” wrote Gary Bunzer in “Woodall’s RV Owner’s Handbook.”

“If it is not possible to remove the weight from the tires,” he said, “periodically move the coach during its storage time to eliminate any flat spots that may develop from being in the same position for an extended period.”

•Generator and fuel system – Fill fuel tank and add fuel stabilizer. Run generator for half and hour to insure stabilizer is through system. Follow remainder of manufacturer’s instruction regarding storage.

Costs

Many RVers enjoy doing their own routine maintenance and saving a few dollars at the same time.

For those who prefer having someone else blow out their water pipes, most RV dealerships and service centers provide winterizing services.

“The first freeze we have each year,” Morrill said, “people go crazy and want to bring their RV in immediately.”

Both Johnson RV and R ‘n R RV Center take appointments and are booked out about two weeks.

Yackel of Truline RV said that no reservations are needed. “Just give us a call.”

Prices vary between $80 and $140. There will be additional costs if there is a washer-dryer or ice maker.

Some costs include de-winterizing in the spring; others charge extra for that service. Confirm cost and exactly what is included in the price.