As temperatures decrease, we RV owners need to turn our attention to storing and winterizing our cherished campers.  Adequately preparing your RV for the winter season is crucial to shield it from the unforgiving elements mother nature can throw at it. And while Little Guy’s Micro Max may be small, there are still several steps to take to properly winterize it. In this article I will outline how to winterize your Micro Max.

Location, Location, Location

Where will you be storing your RV?  An indoor storage facility is ideal, followed by carport type structure to protect it from the elements.  But if you’re like me and have neither of these options, your camper is going to be stored outdoors.  If you can’t keep it on your own property, look for an outdoor storage lot with good security and proper drainage.  Try to park it so that the door to the camper is facing South in case you want to get into your camper over the winter.  Facing South will help lessen snow and ice buildup in front of the door.  You’ll also want to consider investing in a high quality, breathable, vented RV cover for extra protection.  The Tear Drop Shop is a great source for covers.  Make sure the tires are inflated to their proper pressure and it doesn’t hurt to cover them with tire covers too to protect them from UV rays.

Clean It Out

You’ll want to make sure that all food and liquids are removed from your camper, its refrigerator, and cabinets.  If you don’t intend to do any winter camping, you may also want to remove any sheets, towels or other things a sneaky mouse may love to chew on and store them in a secure bin.  I also like to use a natural repellant like Fresh Cab.  It’s also not a bad idea to put a small packet of a moisture absorber in the camper to help with any condensation that may occur.

This is also a good time to check the exterior of your camper for any cracks or damage that you will want repaired over the winter.  Also check the seals around the windows, doors and on the roof.  And while you’re at it, give your camper a bath and a fresh coat of wax to protect its finish.

Battery Maintenance

One if the reasons I love my GoPower lithium battery is that I don’t have to do anything to my battery in the winter.  I can leave it connected  and it has a built-in DC heater to help keep it working in cold temperatures.  But even if it drains down and I want to winter camp, I can restore it to full power by plugging my camper in for a few hours.  However, if you don’t have a lithium battery, you are going to need to disconnect the battery or use a battery tender to keep it charged.  And you’re going to need to remove the battery from the camper and store it in a warm place.

Winterize The Plumbing

Don’t let this part scare you, it’s actually easy to do.  Start by draining the freshwater tank and the grey water tank.  While the Micro Max doesn’t have a black water tank, if it did have one, you’d drain that one too and give it a good flush and cleaning.  Turn on the water pump and the sink faucet and outside shower and run until no water comes out.  Once everything is drained, close the drain points and turn off the sink faucet and shower.

Next, drain the hot water tank.  Make sure it is turned off first.  To drain the hot water heater, remove the cap located in the hot water heater panel on the outside of the camper.  Be sure to push the pressure relieve valve first just in case there is any pressure build up in the system.  The Micro Max does not have an anod rod but if it did, that would be what you would remove instead of the cap.  You’d also check it for wear and consider getting a replacement for spring.  Leave the cap or anode rod off and put them in the camper for the winter.

Now, move inside your camper and locate the hot water heater.  For the Micro Max, it is under the driver’s side dinette seating.  You should see a red and blue pex (plastic) pipe.  The red pipe has two valves and the blue will have one.  Turn all three valves so that their handles are pointing up and down and perpendicular to the pipes.  You have now “bypassed” the hot water heater so that liquid can not get into it.

The next step is to fill the plumbing system with RV specific antifreeze.  I recommend having at least 4 gallons.  DO NOT USE automotive anti freeze as it is poisonous and not for use in drinking water systems.  Using a wide mouth flexible funnel, pour the antifreeze into the fresh water tank.  You will need to use enough to fill the tank so that when turned on, the water pump will  draw the antifreeze through the system. Turn the water pump switch on and open the kitchen faucet first to cold and then hot and run on each setting until anti-freeze comes out.  Do this also for the outside shower.  Once you see the pink antifreeze coming through, turn off the faucet and the water pump.  AND YOU’RE DONE!

Here’s a little fact about RV antifreeze….it can freeze.  It’s actually designed to become solid in low temps.  What it is doing though is protecting your pipes from bursting.  While it may be frozen, it is not expanding and thus protecting your system.  😊  Follow me for more camping advice and adventures!

About Lesa McDermott & Girl Camper

Lesa McDermott is the Vice President of Operations for Girl Camper. In addition to running the day to day operations of Girl Camper, she also writes for Girl Camper and plans events. She is a member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America and lives in Custer, South Dakota with her husband Karl and several fur monsters that often camp with her. She and her husband own a construction company and she is an attorney. She is also very active with Casting For Recovery, whose mission is to enhance the lives of women with breast cancer by connecting them to each other and nature through the therapeutic sport of fly fishing.

Girl Camper is a women’s lifestyle and media brand focusing on camping, outdoor activities, camaraderie, and travel. It produces the Girl Camper Magazine, has a website with informative and fun blog posts, hosts events, and maintains national and local social network communities on Facebook. Search for Girl Camper on Facebook and find your local chapter.