The last campsite coffee tastes a little different in November. You pack the chairs, sweep out the leaves, and promise yourself the camper will be ready when spring comes. Then comes the easy-to-miss part: the outside shower, the forgotten snack drawer, and the battery you meant to check.
Before you turn the key in the storage lock, give these seven jobs a place on your list. This is a planning guide; use your RV and appliance manuals for the actual winterization procedure.
1. Let the forecast set the deadline
A sunny afternoon can hide a freezing night. Jayco recommends winterizing when your RV will face temperatures at or below 32°F. Make your appointment or set aside time before that forecast arrives. A general checklist cannot tell you how well a particular compartment is protected. [1]
2. Give the outside shower its own checkbox
Walk around the outside before calling the water system finished. Winnebago’s guide specifically includes outside showers alongside indoor faucets and toilets. Its antifreeze method also addresses drain traps. Make a written inventory of your water outlets so the one behind a little hatch does not disappear from memory. [2]
3. Find the appliances that use water
A washer, ice maker, or filter housing can need separate attention. Winnebago identifies these as additional winterization considerations. Find the manual for each installed appliance and note the required procedure before starting. Tankless water heaters and other specialized equipment deserve their own instructions, too. [2]
Use products labeled for RV potable-water-system winterization, following the product and equipment instructions. Automotive antifreeze is not a substitute. Before any water-heater draining, shut it down, let it cool, and follow its pressure-relief instructions. Jayco discusses both the antifreeze distinction and cooling the heater first. [1]
4. Evict the snacks, including the emergency ones
Jayco recommends removing food before storage. That includes the crackers in the bedside drawer and the dog treats behind the folding table. [1] Try a room-by-room sweep with a tote: pantry, dinette, bathroom, bedroom, then outside compartments. Photograph each emptied cupboard so you can stop second-guessing yourself on the drive home.
5. Write a battery plan that matches your battery
Read the label before choosing a storage routine. Trojan’s battery-maintenance guidance calls for charged batteries during storage and periodic checks; use the instructions for your exact battery type. [3] Record the model, charger settings specified by the maker, and next check date. For lithium batteries, consult their specific storage and cold-temperature charging limits rather than borrowing a lead-acid routine.
6. Make a small “spring-you” folder
Create a dated folder with your winterization receipt or notes, appliance model numbers, and photos of the camper’s condition. Record who did the work and any unfinished repairs. These records give you a clear starting point next season and something concrete to show a prospective buyer. They do not guarantee a higher sale price, but they make your maintenance story easier to explain.
7. Schedule the return visit before you leave
Storage works better as a plan than a farewell. Choose a date to return, and write down what you will inspect: visible moisture, signs of pests, exterior damage, and battery condition under its maker’s guidance. If the camper is stored far away, agree on an inspection arrangement with the facility instead of assuming someone will notice a problem.
The five-minute lock-up list
Check each item as you make your final walk-through. Your selections reset when you leave this page.
0 of 5 items checked
The reward is simple: fewer mysteries when you open the door again. Leave yourself a note on the table with the next trip you want to take. Spring preparations feel better when there is already a destination waiting.
Sources & further reading
Manufacturer guidance reviewed November 3, 2026. Instructions vary by model; your equipment manuals take priority.
- Jayco: 7 Tips to Properly Winterize Your RV — freeze timing, plumbing, antifreeze, and food removal.
- Winnebago: RV Winterizing Guide — outside showers, drain traps, and water-using appliances.
- Trojan Battery: Battery Maintenance — battery storage and maintenance guidance.
Illustrations: original artwork. They are editorial illustrations, not equipment diagrams.