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Calcimator

RV Winterization Calculator

Calculate how much RV antifreeze you need to winterize your plumbing system, plus DIY time and professional service cost estimates.

Inputs

ft
gal

Results

Antifreeze Needed

6 gal

≈ 6 milk jugs

Antifreeze Cost$30
DIY Time Estimate1.8 hrs
Professional Service Cost$135
Total Steps8
Heater (gal)6
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter your RV length and number of faucets/fixtures.
  2. Set water heater size (gallons) and indicate if washer/dryer or ice maker is installed.
  3. Review the amount of RV antifreeze needed and the step-by-step winterization checklist.
  4. Check estimated time to complete winterization and recommended annual maintenance tasks.
  5. Winterize before the first freeze -- even one night of freezing temperatures can crack pipes and fittings.

What each input means

RV Length
Overall length of your RV. Longer RVs have more plumbing lines to fill.
Number of Faucets / Fixtures
Count every faucet, shower head, toilet, and outdoor shower. Each needs antifreeze in its trap.
Water Heater Size
Water heater tank size. You will bypass this during winterization, not fill it with antifreeze.
Washer/Dryer Installed
Washer plumbing needs extra antifreeze.
Ice Maker Installed
Ice maker water line needs antifreeze protection.

What each result means

Antifreeze Needed
Gallons of RV-safe antifreeze required, including a 20% safety margin.
Antifreeze Cost
Estimated cost at ~$5 per gallon of RV antifreeze.
DIY Time Estimate
Approximate time to winterize the RV yourself.
Professional Service Cost
Estimated cost to have a dealer or mobile tech winterize your RV.
Total Steps
Number of discrete winterization steps for your setup.

How this is calculated

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    4 parameters
    RV Length = 28, Number of Faucets / Fixtures = 5, Water Heater Size = 6, Washer/Dryer Installed = 0 = 5 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Antifreeze Needed
    Antifreeze Needed
    6 = 6
  3. Calculate Antifreeze Cost
    Antifreeze Cost
    30 = 30
  4. Calculate DIY Time Estimate
    DIY Time Estimate
    1.8 = 1.8

Engine last updated . Checked against 2 independently-derived tests — how we verify calculators.

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