Get ready to winterize your RV

That familiar time of the year is here again with leaves falling from the trees, the grass is starting to become dormant and summer flowers have left until next spring. The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. With both positives and negatives that come with the changing of seasons, it’s a good time to prepare for what’s to come during the winter. Now that we’re getting into the colder months, there are basic things that we need to do in order to winterize our RVs and trailers.

Of course if you RV year round and go south for the winter, winterizing a trailer is a moot point for you. But for those that put their RVs to rest for the remainder of the year there are lots of things to be done so your trailer is shipshape for the spring season. Below is a short list of the things you can do to start preparing for the winter.
Protect Your RV Parts from Freezing
Your batteries are incredibly important, make sure
you store and winterize them properly

One of the worst things you can do to your trailer over the winter is to not winterize your water system to protect it from freezing.  Here is a great instruction manual from KOA for winterizing your water system and preventing costly repair bills due to the damaging results of winter.
Of course there should be steps in your owner manual about specific winterizing guidelines but typically winterizing your water system involves removing the bypass, draining the holding tanks, draining the water heater and more.


Another major part of your RV you need to winterize, is your batteries. If not stored properly, your batteries could die and you have to put water in it to recharge. At this point, the battery will only function at a 70% charge and if it happens again, it will only perform at 50% or less. Storing batteries in a lockable container with a solar panel, such as the PowerArmor Solar, will prevent your battery from freezing as well as keeping it charged because of the solar panel on the lid.
Lock Up Your Propane 
(Gif) Protect your LP tanks with the Fortress Gaslock

Before storing propane tanks, make sure you check them for rust, dents or imperfections and clean them. RV LP tanks should be full when stored and never kept indoors, and at best stored outside on a firm surface away from any source of ignition. Also, make sure the valves on the LP tanks are shut off completely and make sure to have a cap or dust cover to prevent dust. Once you’ve checked and turned everything off, it’s good to remember to get a lock for propane tanks to prevent LP tank theft. With propane theft on the rise, especially when they are stored, it’s good to get a LP tank lock to prevent stolen propane.

The Fortress GasLock is the best solution for locking LP tanks and preventing theft repairs that can exceed $500. Installation of the Fortress GasLock is as easy as placing this gas tank lock onto the bars that connect the tanks and engaging the lock. One of the coolest things about the Fortress GasLock is that it is a part of Torklift International’s current winterization factory rebates. Some other abundant features of the Fortress GasLock include:
  • Avoid typical propane tank theft repairs exceeding $500
  • Allows tanks to be quickly locked when mounted to trailers, towables and RVs
  • Does not interfere with LP tank valves and can be filled while locked
  • No tools, no modifications, installs in seconds
  • Affordable investment
  • Designed for dual tanks
  • High impact powder coated military grade aluminum
  • Fits available for all applications
  • Only lock available for propane tanks in the industry
  • Proudly made in the USA
Protect yourself against theft while you have your trailer in storage over the winter with the Fortress GasLock. For more information or details on Torklift International’s security products and rebates you can click the link here.
Torklift Central
315 Central Ave N. Kent, WA 98032
877-343-6933