Canadian RV life is about freedom — hitting the road when the leaves turn, chasing late-season fishing trips, or squeezing in one more weekend by the lake. But when temperatures start to dip, every RV owner faces the same question: when is the right time to winterize?

If you wait too long, frozen pipes and costly repairs can turn next year’s adventures into headaches. Winterize too early, and you might miss out on those crisp autumn getaways. Here’s how to find the sweet spot for Canadian conditions.

But wait - why trust Hitchweb’s advice?

We’re not just another big-box store. Hitchweb is Canadian-owned and operated, with real people behind the screen who camp, tow, and RV in the same conditions you do. Our RV parts and winterizing supplies are sourced from trusted manufacturers with Canadian warehouses, so you get:

• Products that work in real Canadian winters (tested, not generic).

• No duties, no surprise fees — shipped within Canada.

• Helpful, human service — no overseas call centers.

Now, let's get to it. Why Winterization Matters

Most RV plumbing systems aren’t built for freezing. Some four-season RV's are made for cold weather with heating, covered tanks and thick insulation. But your average model is not and the exposed pipes and tanks hanging out in the open will freeze fast.

Once water sits in lines or tanks below 0°C, it can expand, crack fittings, and damage your pump. Repairs often cost hundreds (sometimes thousands). Winterizing protects your investment — and keeps your RV road-ready for next season.

Timing Your RV Winterization in Canada

There’s no one-size-fits-all date because Canada’s climates vary so widely. Instead, watch for these indicators:

• Consistent Overnight Freezing: Once local temps dip below 0°C for more than a few nights, it’s time.

• End of Your Travel Season: If your last planned trip is over Thanksgiving or Halloween, plan to winterize right after.

• Your Storage Setup:

  • Outdoor storage = winterize early (before first frost).

  • Heated indoor storage = you can wait longer, but still winterize before long-term storage.

• Location, Location, Location:

  • Prairies & Interior BC → September or early October.

  • Ontario & Quebec → October (sometimes earlier in northern regions).

  • Atlantic Canada → Mid to late October.

  • Coastal BC → Often safe into November, but a surprise cold snap can still hit.

Rule of Thumb: If temps dip below -2°C overnight, don’t wait — winterize before damage occurs. PLEASE

Exceptions to the Rule

• Full-Time RVers: If you’re living in your rig, you can winterize while still using it with heated hoses and skirting.

• Indoor Heated Storage: You can skip antifreeze if temps stay consistently above freezing, but many RVers still winterize “just in case.”

Quick Pre-Winterization Checklist

• Drain water tanks (fresh, grey, black).

• Bypass and drain the water heater.

• Blow out lines with compressed air OR pump RV antifreeze through.

• Don’t forget the outdoor shower, ice maker, or washer/dryer connections.

• Check seals, roof, and tires before long storage.
  
  Check out our detailed Winterization how to and check list HERE

Don't skip out.

There’s a million kilometres of road in Canada — and the last thing you want is a broken pipe cutting your first camping trip of the spring short. Watch the temperatures, plan around your last trip, and winterize before the frost sets in.

When it’s time, shop RV winterizing supplies at Hitchweb Canada — trusted parts, shipped locally, with no duty or border delays.