Whether you’re new to RV life or you’ve been doing it for years, the winterizing process can be a confusing pain.
Winterizing, or preparing your RV for cold weather by flushing the water lines and adding anti-freeze, is crucial to ensuring your home on wheels can tough it out through the winter without important pipes and lines cracking or freezing.
But where do you even start? What tools do you need?
Luckily, there are kits out there to address both of these concerns. Every RV and every skill level requires different things, so keep reading through our top picks for best RV winterizing kits to decide which is right for you!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Camco Winterizing Kit
Best Budget Option
WINAMOO Dual Purpose RV Winterizing Kit
Best for Beginners
TOPRING RV Winterizing Kit
Best Overall
Camco Winterizing Kit
With the widest array of options, the Camco Winterizing Kit is the most versatile and reliable RV winterizing kit on the list.
This kit can be installed seasonally or permanently and comes in a variety of hookups and sizes as long as they’re made for a female connection.
The instructions are easy to follow, ensuring success for RV campers, old and new.
The brass valves are strong and airtight, a step above other plastic valves.
Overall, the Camco Winterizing Kit is sturdy and simple to use, earning it the top spot on the list of best RV winterizing kits.
Pros
- Quick and easy to install
- Leakproof
- No tools needed
Cons
- Requires a pump that isn’t included
- The hose is stiff
- Not universal (only male adapters)
Best Budget Option
WINAMOO Dual Purpose RV Winterizing Kit
This well-constructed, easy-to-use winterizing kit is an excellent value for the price.
The process is so simple and intuitive that it only requires one person to complete it. Unlike other models, the hose included has both male and female hookups so that your winterizing kit can be widely adaptable for lots of different projects.
Made of high-quality, durable rubber and brass, this winterizing kit is an efficient, cost-friendly way to keep your RV safe all winter long.
Pros
- Flexible hose
- Male and female plugs and adapters
- Easy to use and install
Cons
- Only one size option
- No readable pressure gauge
Best For Beginners
TOPRING RV Winterizing Kit
For a more environmentally friendly option with lots of different choices to fit exactly what you need with no second guessing, the TOPRING RV Winterizing kit is the way to go.
It features two different length options, two different colors, and two different types of hookups. The easy-to-read pressure gauge is perfect for monitoring any built-up air or water pressure in your lines.
This is an excellent kit for anyone looking to avoid using antifreeze, as the intention is to use this kit without any additives.
It’s not quite as sturdy as some of the other options on the list, but the ease of use and availability of different options made to work for you lands the TOPRING RV Winterizing Kit a spot on the list as the best beginner choice.
Pros
- Antifreeze isn’t necessary
- Lots of variety in the size and type of connection you want or need
- Easy-to-read pressure gauge
Cons
- More expensive than other similar products
- The hose is flimsier than some other models
- Plastic valve is difficult to maneuver
Gute RV Camper Winterizing Kit
This quick-connect, easy-to-use Gute RV Camper Winterizing Kit comes with replacement male and female adapters for simple, versatile installation.
The flexible, durable hose makes it easy to access tight spaces, ensuring a one-person job.
Additionally, it doesn’t require antifreeze to do its job, making for a less involved, more environmentally friendly winterizing process.
It offers less options than some of the other models, but the durability and flexibility of this kit is still impressive!
Pros
- Ultra-bendable, corrosion-resistant hose
- Male and female adapter
- Made of lead-free brass and EPDM plastic
VIAIR 90145 RV Winterization Kit
This VIAIR Winterization Kit is long-lasting and durable, made of high-quality materials that are sure to keep your RV safe and ready to go through many winters to come.
It works quickly and is fast to install, which is excellent if you’re in a rush to get your RV ready for the first frost.
It’s a bit pricier than some other comparable winterizing kits, but the longevity and quality of the materials speak for themselves!
Pros
- Fast working
- High-quality materials
Cons
- Most expensive option
- Air pressure regulation isn’t always reliable
- Doesn’t include the necessary air compressor
RV Winterizing Kit Buyer’s Guide
Ease of Use
The ease of use of your RV kit is definitely something to consider when weighing your options. Some are easier than others to install, of course.
But the ones that are more complicated to install may require more than one person to get working, which is important to know if you like to trek solo!
However, if having multiple people on hand to help winterize your RV isn’t a problem, then you might be in luck with some cheaper options for RV winterizing kits.
Model Compatibility
Compatibility is a huge factor when surveying the RV winterizing kit choices available to you. Do you need a male or female adapter? A certain PSI? A specific width of the hose or valve size? Does your RV only work with a certain brand of air compressor?
These are all important questions to ask yourself before purchasing your RV winterizing kit!
Permanent or Seasonal?
Just like there are different models and sizes of RV winterizing kits, there are also different methods of installation: permanent or seasonal.
A seasonal by-pass kit allows you to hook your kit up to the water heater and then remove it in the spring.
A permanent kit, however, can’t be removed after the winter is over. You just adjust it accordingly by cutting certain valves on and off.
Ultimately, this choice is up to preference! If you live in a particularly cold climate and find yourself needing to consistently winterize your RV every year, then a permanent hookup might be the best option for you.
But if you live in a warmer area where your RV rarely needs to be prepped for freezing temperatures, then a seasonal kit could be a better choice!
Length of Hose
Not all RV water systems are made the same! Depending on the model you have, the space you have to work with in installing your winterizing system might be limited.
If so, you don’t want large adapters and stiff hoses that make accessing the parts you need almost impossible. Ultra-flexible hoses are what you’ll want to look for in your search for a winterizing kit.
But, in some cases you might need a long stiff hose to get into the area where you can attach your kit. It’s good to assess what you need beforehand so you know the style of hose to look for.
Materials
Most RV winterizing kits are made of brass and reinforced rubber or plastic.
However, since the kit will be sitting for sometime while your RV hibernates for the winter, you want to ensure your kit is corrosion-resistant, durable, and made of quality materials.
Something else to look for when checking out the materials is lead-free brass valves and adapters. The last thing you want is harmful chemicals near your water supply!
RV Winterizing Kit Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between male and female connections?
Male connections are typically what comes to mind when you think of a plug, and as such, female connections are the socket or outlet.
In this case, male connections for winterizing kits are pronged, and female connections have a space to insert the prong. It’s important to know what kind of adapter or connection you need in order to correctly set up your kit!
Otherwise, you’ll need to find either a male or female adapter in order to make your kit function properly.
Why do I need an RV winterizing kit?
Pipes or lines in your RV are susceptible to freezing or busting just like in your house where you might prepare the pipes for colder temperatures by dripping taps.
Since your RV is both your home and vehicle, you need to prepare it for winter, too!
This is where a winterizing kit comes in handy. You can use it to help flush the waterlines in your RV and keep them from freezing.
Do I need an RV winterizing kit with a gauge?
Not necessarily, but you’ll be using an air compressor to blow the water out of the lines, so you may want one to monitor the pressure.
Different RVs require different things, and various winterizing kits function variously, so a gauge may not be necessary.
If you’re not super familiar or comfortable with the winterizing process yet, you may want to have a kit that includes a pressure gauge just to be sure.
Should I use antifreeze?
Again, different kits will require different things. Some winterizing kits will specify that they don’t require antifreeze, which is a much more environmentally friendly option.
Antifreeze is a chemical compound that is toxic to plants and animals. Though a necessity for many vehicles, it should be handled with care!
Kits that don’t require antifreeze are definitely an environmental win, but they may not have the same efficacy as the ones that do.
Additionally, you can experiment with marine-safe, non-toxic anti-freeze and see how that works in keeping your RV in good shape through the winter.
Final Thoughts on RV Winterizing Kits
Whether your RV is your seasonal or permanent home, it needs careful attention throughout the winter season just like a house would.
Luckily, there are plenty of winterizing kit options out there to fit your budget, need, skill level, and preference.
Extend your camping season with a quality RV winterizing kit, and be sure to check out the best RV heaters to keep you warm through your winter travels!
