Freezing climates can damage the camper’s plumbing system and equipment. The camper must be drained and have antifreeze protection before storing or camping in below-freezing temperatures in fall/ winter. This is done through a process called winterizing.

Be sure to always use a non-ethanol-based antifreeze when winterizing your camper.

When getting the camper ready for camping season in spring you must cleanse the potable freshwater system to remove all the antifreeze. This process is called de-winterizing or sanitizing.

User instructions for winterizing, de-winterizing, and sanitizing can be found on the Nautilus plumbing control panel manufacturer’s website at www.bandbmolders.com/index.php/p3-2/

You may also find this step-by-step winterization video helpful.

While the Nautilus system instructions are generalized instructions, the following steps outline more detailed instructions for winterizing the freshwater & wastewater plumbing systems in your camper:

1. Empty all black and gray tanks into an appropriate disposal. They must be as completely empty as possible.  
2. Level your camper or tilt it in such a way that the water in the tanks flows toward the low point and tank drain openings.  
3. Turn the handles on the Nautilus Panel to Power Fill Mode.  
4. Open all drains in the unit:   
   1. Fresh water tank drain   
   2. Low point drains  
   3. Hot water tank drain (Yellow Alde drain valve. Vertical position is open, horizontal is closed)     
   4. Gray & black tank knife drains.  
5. Open all water fixtures.   
   1. Sinks   
   2. Toilet (Flush)    
   3. Shower   
   4. Exterior shower
6. When water has stopped flowing from all openings, close the drains and
7. Turn the handles to a 45-degree angle as shown in the Nautilus Panel Winterizing Instructions.
8. Connect an air hose to the city water connection. You will need an adaptor with an adjustable pressure regulator.   
9. When blowing out the system with air, DO NOT exceed 40 PSI pressure in the plumbing lines. Damage may occur to the inline water regulator and other plumbing components. The freshwater tank overflow drain is always open, so the tank does not become pressurized with either air or water. The freshwater tank should never have more than 2 PSI pressure in it.    
10. Blow air into the system and, always keeping one drain open, open each freshwater drain one by one until no more water is released.    
    1. Fresh water tank drain   
    2. Low point drains
    3. Hot water tank drain (Yellow Alde drain valve. Vertical — open, horizontal ‚— closed)  
11. When the water is all drained out of the lines and all openings are closed, turn off and disconnect the air hose.
12. Turn the handles to Winterize mode as shown on the Nautilus Panel Instructions.
13. Connect a short piece of garden hose to the Winterize inlet of the Nautilus Panel and place the other end into a non-ethanol-based approved RV antifreeze.  A short hose (cut off) will help the pump prime easier and sooner.
14. Press the pump switch to activate the water pump. The pump will run till the system is pressurized and will kick on when fixtures are opened. Note that the LED indicator light on the panel will be lit if the pump is powered.
15. With the system pressurized and one at a time, open each water fixture until antifreeze appears, then close. Remember to turn to both cold and hot so both lines are protected:
    1. Sinks
    2. Toilet (Flush)
    3. Shower
    4. Exterior shower
16. When all fixtures are protected, turn the water pump off and disconnect the hose.
17. Pour one cup of the RV antifreeze into each sink and shower drain to protect the traps.
18. Follow manufacturer instructions for winterizing the toilet.