FrostList

When to Winterize Your RV in Grapevine, TX

ON TRACK141 days until first 28°F freezeNov 29

Grapevine's deadline to winterize your RV is November 19: the local first 28°F freeze runs November 29 on average and November 9 at its earliest (1991–2020 normals). Cold deepens quickly here — only about 12 days separate the first frost from that hard freeze.

OUTLOOK

Typical first first 28°F freeze near Nov 29; local deadline about Nov 19. The live 10-day outlook loads here.

Local freeze dates for Grapevine

ThresholdEarly (1-in-10)MedianLate (9-in-10)
32°F (light freeze)Nov 2Nov 17Dec 4
28°F (hard freeze)Nov 9Nov 29Dec 20
24°F (severe)Nov 18Dec 13Jan 14

NOAA station: Grapevine Dam · 1.7 mi away · 585 ft elevation.

The reference station for Grapevine is Grapevine Dam (1.7 mi, 585 ft). First freeze there: 32°F by Nov 17, 28°F by Nov 29, 24°F by Dec 13. That hard freeze has landed anywhere from Nov 9 to Dec 20, a swing of roughly 41 days. Spring's last 32°F freeze clears around Mar 14. Snowfall averages 0 inches a year.

In Grapevine, freezing nights (32°F) typically begin around Nov 17 and the first hard freeze (28°F) follows near Nov 29. That first freezing night has ranged from Nov 2 to Dec 4, roughly a 32-day spread. On the spring side, the last 32°F freeze clears around Mar 14 and as late as Apr 3 — the green light for reopening water and de-winterizing. With almost no snow in a normal year, cold — not plowing — sets the calendar, and it centers on Mar 14.

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

Compared with nearby cities, Grapevine's first-freeze date near Nov 29 sits close to Coppell (Nov 29) and close to Flower Mound (Nov 29). Texas's deadlines span Oct 27 to Dec 29 statewide — one date for all of Texas would be off by weeks for Grapevine. Once you know Grapevine's freeze date, use it to shut down your sprinklers and winterize a boat too.

Other winter jobs in Grapevine

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

Sprinklers → Nov 19Frozen pipes → Nov 2Car battery → Nov 29Sump pump → Mar 14Boat → Nov 22Motorcycle → Nov 17

See the full Grapevine 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 Grapevine?
Wait until the last spring freeze has passed, which averages near Mar 14 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 Grapevine Dam, live outlook by Open-Meteo. Sources · Methodology. Last updated: July 11, 2026.