Professional RV winterization by rig size — travel trailers at the low end, Class A motorhomes at the top. DIY costs $20–$60 in antifreeze and a siphon kit.
KOAWhen to Winterize Your RV in Orem, UT
ON TRACK112 days until first 28°F freezeOct 31
In a typical year, winterize your RV in Orem by October 21. The median first 28°F hard freeze at Orem's NOAA station is October 31 (1991–2020 normals); one year in ten it arrives as early as October 16. Year to year the date swings about 30 days, which is why the live outlook beats the calendar.
Oct 21Local deadline
Oct 31Median first 28°F
30 days28°F window spread
45 inSnow per season
OUTLOOK
Typical first first 28°F freeze near Oct 31; local deadline about Oct 21. The live 10-day outlook loads here.
Local freeze dates for Orem
| Threshold | Early (1-in-10) | Median | Late (9-in-10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32°F (light freeze) | Oct 5 | Oct 19 | Nov 3 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Oct 16 | Oct 31 | Nov 15 |
| 24°F (severe) | Oct 25 | Nov 11 | Nov 25 |
Bars span the early (1-in-10) to late (9-in-10) window for each freeze threshold; the dot marks the median year. The dashed line is the local prep deadline.
NOAA station: Orem Trtmt Plt · 2.6 mi away · 4,510 ft elevation.
- A mid-fall first freeze gives Orem a moderate window; a warm October does not mean the deadline moved.
Numbers for Orem come from Orem Trtmt Plt, 2.6 miles away at 4,510 feet, where the medians fall 32°F by Oct 19, 28°F by Oct 31, 24°F by Nov 11. The 28°F freeze has come as early as Oct 16 and as late as Nov 15, a 30-day spread. Spring's last 32°F freeze clears around Apr 19. Snowfall averages 45 inches a year, first reaching an inch near November.
Expect the first frost near Oct 19 in Orem and the first hard freeze by about Oct 31. The 32°F date swings from Oct 5 at its earliest to Nov 3 at its latest, near 29 days. The last spring freeze averages Apr 19 and as late as May 9, which sets the safe window for reopening outdoor water and de-winterizing gear. Roughly 45 inches of snow fall in an average year, so a clear roof edge and a running snow blower matter as much as the freeze itself.
Your rv checklist
- Drain the fresh, gray, and black tanks, then drain the water heater only after it has cooled and lost pressure.
- Bypass the water heater so you do not waste six gallons of antifreeze filling the tank.
- 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
- Use a water-pump converter kit to draw antifreeze straight from the jug through the plumbing.Helpful gear: Water pump converter kit — Recommended pick
- Pour a cup of antifreeze into each drain trap and the toilet to protect the seals.
- Fit a blow-out plug at the city-water inlet so you can clear that line too.Helpful gear: Blow-out plug — Recommended pick
- Remove batteries or put them on a maintainer, and store them off a cold concrete floor.
- Cover roof vents, close the propane, and set out traps or deterrents so mice do not move in.
What to have on hand
As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. Product picks are editorial; links do not change what you pay.
RV antifreeze (6-pack)
Non-toxic pink fluid for the fresh-water plumbing and traps.
Recommended pickWater pump converter kit
Siphon kit that draws antifreeze straight through the pump.
Recommended pickBlow-out plug
Adapter that lets a compressor clear the lines before antifreeze.
Recommended pickHeated fresh-water hose
For anyone staying hooked up through a cold snap.
Recommended pickRV winterization cost & key numbers
Verified national benchmarks; sources open in a new tab (nofollow).
Non-toxic propylene glycol antifreeze a typical rig needs ($5–$10 per gallon); large fifth wheels take 4–5. Add a gallon each for a dishwasher or washer.
RV LifestyleAntifreeze wasted if you skip the water-heater bypass — the tank swallows it before any reaches the plumbing. A bypass kit pays for itself the first season.
CamcoReplacement cost of a freeze-cracked RV water pump; fittings, the toilet valve and the city-water inlet crack first. Most RV policies exclude freeze damage from skipped winterization.
ProgressiveWhat this means locally
Against its neighbors, Orem (first freeze Oct 31) runs close to Provo (Nov 1) and later than Lehi (Oct 22). Across Utah, local prep deadlines in our data range from Oct 4 to Nov 10, so a statewide rule of thumb would miss Orem by weeks. In Orem, that same cold is your cue to shut down your sprinklers and winterize a boat. Keeping an eye on the rest of the county? The same local math is on our Ogden page.
Other winter jobs in Orem
Every task below is dated to Orem's own freeze and snow normals.
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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 Orem?
Wait until the last spring freeze has passed, which averages near Apr 19 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.
How much does it cost to winterize an RV?
Professional service runs $150–$400 depending on rig size — travel trailers at the low end, Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels at the top, plus $15–$50 per add-on like a washing machine or ice maker. DIY costs $20–$60 total: 2–3 gallons of RV antifreeze plus a one-time water pump siphon kit.
What happens if I skip winterizing the RV?
Ice cracks the rigid parts first: the toilet flush valve, the water pump housing ($320–$800 to replace), the city-water inlet and the water heater tank ($500–$1,500 in parts). Hidden cracks often only show once the system is re-pressurized in spring, and most RV insurance policies exclude freeze damage caused by failure to winterize.
RV Winterization: related searches
Searches this guide answers: RV antifreeze how many gallons, water heater bypass kit, blow out RV lines with air, and RV winterization service near me.
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Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals via Orem Trtmt Plt, live outlook by Open-Meteo. Sources · Methodology. Last updated: July 25, 2026.