How do I winterize a camper van?

Water systems that survive the freeze

Cold snaps are unforgiving to plumbing. Your first goal is simple: remove water from every place it can expand. Start by draining the fresh tank, gray tank, and black tank. Open low point drains and let gravity do the work. If your van has a water heater, use its drain and relief valve, then set the bypass so you are not filling the heater with antifreeze later.

Two common methods protect the lines. Compressed air clears residual water from faucets, showers, toilets, and sprayers. Use a regulator to keep pressure conservative and move fixture by fixture until only air spits out. The second method uses nontoxic RV antifreeze, which displaces any remaining water and adds freeze protection. Either approach requires removing or bypassing any inline filters and purifiers so media does not absorb antifreeze or dry out improperly.

Do not forget the outliers. Exterior showers, quick connect sprayers, bidet sprayers, and hand wands often hide small traps of water. If your van has a recirculating hot water loop, run it briefly while pushing air or antifreeze through. Cassette and portable toilets need their own attention since they have seals and small passages that can crack if neglected.

Air or antifreeze, which is better

Both approaches work. Air is tidy and fast, while RV antifreeze gives a safety margin in tiny dips or p traps. Many owners combine them, blowing out the lines first and then adding a touch of antifreeze to drains, traps, and the toilet bowl to keep seals lubricated.

Special fixtures and appliances

Instant water heaters, on demand pumps, macerators, and accumulator tanks require a few extra minutes. Follow the device manual to either drain or cycle antifreeze through them. Outdoor quick connects and spray ports need caps reinstalled after you push air or antifreeze to prevent intrusion.

Power, batteries, and climate control during storage

Batteries dislike deep cold and excessive discharge. Lithium batteries store best at a partial state of charge around the middle of the range. Many battery management systems include low temperature charge protection, but you still want to keep things within spec. If possible, enable storage mode on your charger, or disconnect nonessential loads so parasitic draw does not creep the bank down over time. Keep solar clean and shaded if you plan to disconnect charging, or leave a quality charger maintaining the system if storage has shore power.

Furnace and heater prep is about safety and reliability. Shut off propane at the tank, check for leaks at connections, and make sure regulators and lines are dry and capped. Diesel air heaters should be run briefly on a clean cycle before storage so carbon does not build up. If your van uses air conditioning as a dehumidifier, run it briefly to clear moisture, then power down for storage unless climate control will stay active.

Moisture control inside the cabin matters as much as plumbing. Clean every surface, vacuum soft goods, and make sure the van is completely dry before closing up. Place desiccant canisters or a small dehumidifier if the van will sit in a damp climate. Crack a roof vent slightly if the storage location is secure to promote air exchange. Remove all food, even shelf stable items, to deter rodents.

Mold and odor prevention checklist

• Clean, then dry every cabinet and cubby
• Remove bedding and textiles or store them in sealed bags
• Place moisture absorbers and check them monthly
• Leave the fridge door propped open after cleaning

Body, tires, and gear prep that pays off in spring

Salt and slush are hard on finishes. Wash thoroughly and rinse the underbody to remove grime. Apply a quality wax or sealant to paint and a protectant to rubber seals. Inspect roof seams, window surrounds, and any penetrations for cracks, then reseal as needed. Lubricate hinges, latches, and sliding door tracks to prevent sticking in the cold.

Tires flatten slightly during long storage. Inflate to the correct pressure for storage, then move the van a little each month if possible to avoid flat spots. If the van will sit for a very long period, consider using tire cradles or jacking per manufacturer guidance. Check that your spare is in good condition and inflated properly.

Rodent prevention is easier than eviction. Seal gaps, add stainless wool to small openings, and remove all attractants. Store gear clean and dry. Remove lithium tool batteries and store them indoors at moderate temperature. If you cover the van, choose a breathable cover made for your vehicle size so moisture does not get trapped.

Where and how to store

Indoor storage with moderate temperature swings is ideal. Outdoor storage works well when the van is clean, sealed, and covered with a breathable cover. Avoid trees that drop sap or debris, and choose a surface that drains well.

Quick recap for reliable winter storage

• Drain fresh, gray, and black tanks and bypass the water heater
• Blow out lines or add RV antifreeze to lines and traps
• Remove or bypass filters and purge exterior fixtures
• Store lithium batteries at partial charge and control parasitic loads
• Shut off propane, check for leaks, and run heaters briefly before storage
• Clean, dry, and dehumidify the interior and remove all food
• Wash, protect, inspect seals, and manage tires for long sits

If you prefer a professional set of eyes, cold weather prep can be bundled with an inspection so minor issues do not become spring surprises.

When you want it done right, end to end

OZK Customs builds and protects adventure vans that work through the seasons, not just sunny weekends. Our team in Fayetteville has seen what winter does to plumbing, seals, and power systems, and we set up rigs to handle freeze risk with smart routing, access points for service, and the right materials from the start. If you are researching future upgrades or a complete transformation, our crew can map a cold season strategy into the design so winterization is quick and repeatable.

Explore our recreational vans to see purpose built layouts that simplify winter prep. If you are planning a from scratch build, start with our custom build van process and we will engineer water, heat, and power for your climate. New to the platform and comparing options that hold value and can finance, our OZK Customs home base shows how we work and what to expect at handoff.

Ready to winterize with confidence or upgrade before the cold sets in? Share your goals and timeline and we will guide you through a sensible path that keeps your van protected and your trips on schedule.

Ready for a professional winterization or a build that holds strong in all seasons? Book a consult with OZK Customs. Our Fayetteville team will inspect your plumbing, power, and seals, and set up your van for worry free cold storage. Tell us your travel plans and we will dial in the right solution. Fill out the form to get scheduled.