Colorado RV Winterization for Travel Trailers and Fifth Wheels: Get the Water Out. Keep the Water Out.

By Donny Zwisler | Colorado RV Service

Colorado RV owners know how quickly camping weather can turn into freezing weather. Whether your travel trailer sits in Berthoud, your fifth wheel is stored in Longmont, or your last camping trip takes you into the mountains, winter preparation comes down to two big goals:

Get the water out. Keep the water out.

That means protecting your plumbing, addressing wheel bearing maintenance, and sealing the places where rain, melting snow, and unwanted guests can get inside.

1. Get the Water Out: Winterize Your RV Plumbing and Holding Tanks

Water left in the wrong place can turn into a cracked fitting, damaged valve, or expensive spring repair. Proper travel trailer winterization and fifth wheel winterization in Colorado start with your RV manufacturer’s instructions and the instructions for each installed appliance.

The job includes:

• Draining the fresh water tank and low-point drains.

• Emptying the black and gray tanks at an approved dump station and flushing as directed.

• Turning off, cooling, and depressurizing the water heater before draining it.

• Following the specific winterization procedure for your tank-style or tankless water heater.

• Protecting hot and cold plumbing, faucets, toilet valves, outside showers, and other water-connected equipment.

• Addressing filters, pumps, sprayers, ice makers, washing machines, and black-tank flush systems when equipped.

Use non-toxic RV/marine antifreeze approved for your system wherever your manufacturer requires it. Never use automotive antifreeze. Follow the specified product rating and dilution instructions.

You generally do not fill the fresh water tank or a bypassed tank-style water heater with antifreeze. Protect drain traps, toilet seals, and holding-tank components as directed by their manufacturers. Antifreeze does not replace properly emptying the tanks.

Every RV has its own plumbing layout. Missing one outside shower, valve, or appliance can leave a weak spot in an otherwise winterized trailer.

For an overview, see Winnebago’s RV winterization guidance, then follow the instructions specific to your RV.

Get Old Grease, Water, and Debris Out of Your Wheel Bearings

Your water lines are not the only place moisture can cause trouble.

Fall is a practical time to schedule travel trailer wheel bearing service or fifth wheel bearing repacking when maintenance is due, service history is unknown, or contamination is suspected.

A proper service on conventional, serviceable bearings means removing the hubs, cleaning away old grease and any water or debris, inspecting bearings and races, checking seals and brakes, and repacking with the correct grease.

Rust, pitting, and damaged parts need attention. Fresh grease cannot repair damaged metal.

Dexter and Lippert: What Do the Axle Manufacturers Specify?

Dexter and Lippert are major axle suppliers for travel trailers and fifth wheels. Their published guidance makes annual bearing maintenance an important part of RV ownership—even when you have not towed many miles.

Dexter bearing service

For conventional grease-lubricated bearings, Dexter specifies lubrication every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Dexter also says E-Z Lube hubs should be removed at that interval to inspect the bearings, with new seals installed. Having a grease fitting does not eliminate the inspection.

Sources: Dexter bearing lubrication guidance and Dexter service FAQs.

Lippert bearing service

Lippert’s current Super Lube guidance lists lubrication every 12 months or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Older Lippert axle manuals specify grease replacement every 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Use the manual that applies to your axle. Do not assume the longer mileage interval applies to every trailer.

Sources: Lippert’s current Super Lube guidance and Lippert’s axle operation and service manual hosted by Prime Time RV.

Colorado RV owners: Low mileage does not cancel the annual service interval.

If your bearing maintenance is due, fall is a practical time to clean out old grease, check for water and debris, inspect bearings and brakes, and prepare your trailer for storage.

These grease-service intervals apply to the specified serviceable bearing systems. Dexter Nev-R-Lube sealed cartridges are not repacked, but Dexter still calls for inspection every 12 months or 12,000 miles.

Putting a trailer away with contaminated grease means leaving that contamination in place throughout storage. Address it before it becomes next season’s roadside problem.

2. Keep the Water Out: Inspect the Roof, Sidewalls, and Underbelly

Colorado RV winterization should include a close look at the exterior. Rain and melting snow can find failed sealant, loose trim, and damaged underbelly material.

Inspect these common water-entry points:

• Roof seams, edges, vents, skylights, and other penetrations.

• Front and rear caps, corner moldings, and sidewall joints.

• Windows, doors, storage compartments, and exterior fixtures.

• Underbelly seams, tears, loose panels, and openings around pipes or wiring.

Reseal failed areas with products and methods compatible with your RV’s materials and manufacturer’s requirements.

Clean and prepare the surface properly. A fresh bead over loose, dirty, failing sealant may leave the original leak unresolved.

If an area is already wet, soft, stained, or delaminating, find the source and assess the damage before sealing it up. Do not trap moisture behind a cosmetic repair.

For Colorado travel trailer and fifth wheel owners, roof inspection, roof resealing, sidewall leak repair, and underbelly repair belong on the winter preparation list.

Your RV Does Not Need to Become a VRBO Winter Haven for Critters

An open underbelly can look like an invitation to mice looking for winter shelter.

Inspect and repair unintended openings, remove food and crumbs, and check storage compartments for signs of activity. Use suitable pest-resistant repairs around access points.

Keep required drains, weep holes, appliance ventilation, and combustion openings clear. Closing an unintended gap and blocking a required vent are very different jobs.

Your trailer is supposed to be ready for your next vacation—not hosting a winter rental for critters.

Schedule Colorado Travel Trailer and Fifth Wheel Winterization

Before putting your RV away, ask two questions:

Did I get the water out of everything that needs freeze protection?

Did I address the places where water—and critters—can get back in?

These two goals organize your water-related winter preparation. Complete your manufacturer’s remaining storage requirements too, including battery, tire, and appliance care.

Colorado RV Service provides mobile RV repair and maintenance for Colorado travel trailer and fifth wheel owners. Schedule plumbing winterization, wheel bearing service, roof inspection and resealing, or sidewall and underbelly repairs before winter storage.

Colorado RV owners: Call Colorado RV Service at 303-525-7894 to schedule your travel trailer or fifth wheel winterization, bearing service, and leak-prevention inspection.

Get the water out. Keep the water out.

Visit ColoradoRVService.com