FrostList

When to Winterize Your RV in Lodi, CA

ON TRACK162 days until first 28°F freezeDec 20

Lodi's deadline to winterize your RV is December 10: the local first 28°F freeze runs December 20 on average and November 30 at its earliest (1991–2020 normals). The early-to-late range spans roughly 55 days, so treat the median as a midpoint, not a promise.

OUTLOOK

Typical first first 28°F freeze near Dec 20; local deadline about Dec 10. The live 10-day outlook loads here.

Local freeze dates for Lodi

ThresholdEarly (1-in-10)MedianLate (9-in-10)
32°F (light freeze)Nov 17Dec 5Jan 3
28°F (hard freeze)Nov 30Dec 20Jan 24
24°F (severe)Dec 9Jan 1Jan 31

NOAA station: Lodi · 2.1 mi away · 40 ft elevation.

The reference station for Lodi is Lodi (2.1 mi, 40 ft). First freeze there: 32°F by Dec 5, 28°F by Dec 20, 24°F by Jan 1. That hard freeze has landed anywhere from Nov 30 to Jan 24, a swing of roughly 55 days. Spring's last 32°F freeze clears around Feb 9.

Lodi usually sees its first 32°F night about Dec 5, with the first 28°F hard freeze close behind near Dec 20. The 32°F date swings from Nov 17 at its earliest to Jan 3 at its latest, near 47 days. The last spring freeze averages Feb 9 and as late as Mar 7, which sets the safe window for reopening outdoor water and de-winterizing gear. Snow barely registers here; the freeze date, around Feb 9, is the one that matters.

Your rv checklist

  1. Drain the fresh, gray, and black tanks, then drain the water heater only after it has cooled and lost pressure.
  2. Bypass the water heater so you do not waste six gallons of antifreeze filling the tank.
  3. Blow out the lines with a compressor at about 30–40 psi, then pump non-toxic RV antifreeze through every faucet until it runs pink.
    Helpful gear: RV antifreeze (6-pack) — Recommended pick
  4. Use a water-pump converter kit to draw antifreeze straight from the jug through the plumbing.
    Helpful gear: Water pump converter kit — Recommended pick
  5. Pour a cup of antifreeze into each drain trap and the toilet to protect the seals.
  6. Fit a blow-out plug at the city-water inlet so you can clear that line too.
    Helpful gear: Blow-out plug — Recommended pick
  7. Remove batteries or put them on a maintainer, and store them off a cold concrete floor.
  8. Cover roof vents, close the propane, and set out traps or deterrents so mice do not move in.

What to have on hand

RV antifreeze (6-pack)
Non-toxic pink fluid for the fresh-water plumbing and traps.
Recommended pick
Water pump converter kit
Siphon kit that draws antifreeze straight through the pump.
Recommended pick
Blow-out plug
Adapter that lets a compressor clear the lines before antifreeze.
Recommended pick
Heated fresh-water hose
For anyone staying hooked up through a cold snap.
Recommended pick

What this means locally

Lodi freezes close to Stockton (Dec 23) and later than Elk Grove (Dec 16) — a reminder that even nearby towns differ by days. Statewide, California prep dates run Jan 6 through Dec 27, which is why Lodi gets its own number rather than a California-wide average. The same freeze also decides when to shut down your sprinklers and winterize a boat.

Other winter jobs in Lodi

Every task below is dated to Lodi's own freeze and snow normals.

Sprinklers → Dec 10Frozen pipes → Nov 17Car battery → Dec 20Sump pump → Feb 9Boat → Dec 13Motorcycle → Dec 5

See the full Lodi winter checklist, in order →

Frequently asked questions

At what temperature do RV pipes freeze?
An RV's exposed plumbing and thin-walled tanks can begin to freeze once temperatures sit in the mid-20s for a few hours, sooner than a house because there is little insulation around the lines. That is why the winterizing deadline tracks the first 28°F freeze rather than the first light frost.
How much RV antifreeze do I need?
Most travel trailers and motorhomes take about two to three gallons of non-toxic RV antifreeze, and larger rigs more. Bypassing the water heater saves roughly six gallons you would otherwise waste filling the tank. Buy an extra jug; stores sell out once the first freeze warnings hit.
Can I just use my RV furnace instead of winterizing?
Relying on the furnace is risky. A propane run-out, a tripped breaker, or a dead battery during a cold night leaves the plumbing unprotected, and the furnace may not keep the underbelly and bays warm enough anyway. Draining and adding antifreeze is the dependable way to protect the system.
How do I winterize an RV water heater?
Let the tank cool and lose pressure, then drain it and, if fitted, pull the anode rod. Do not add antifreeze to the water heater tank; instead, set the bypass valves so antifreeze skips the tank and fills only the lines. Fresh antifreeze in an unbypassed heater just wastes several gallons.
When is it safe to de-winterize an RV in Lodi?
Wait until the last spring freeze has passed, which averages near Feb 9 here. De-winterize by flushing the antifreeze from the lines, sanitizing the fresh tank, and checking for leaks before a trip. Reopening too early risks a surprise late freeze on a charged system.
Do I need to winterize an RV stored indoors?
A reliably heated indoor space that stays above freezing protects the plumbing, so full winterizing may not be needed. But an unheated garage or barn can still drop below freezing on a cold night. If you cannot guarantee the space stays warm, winterize to be safe.

Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals via Lodi, live outlook by Open-Meteo. Sources · Methodology. Last updated: July 11, 2026.