BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details
Menu
 
Expert Shopper Travel

Best RV antifreeze

Which RV antifreeze is best?

If you own an RV, it’s vital that you understand how to use RV antifreeze. As RVs continue to rise in popularity, there are a growing number of RV antifreeze brands to choose from, but which one is best? Splash RV/Marine Antifreeze is both popular and effective. Still, there are many other RV antifreeze brands out there that can get the job done.

What to know before you buy RV antifreeze

RV antifreeze vs. automotive antifreeze

Automotive antifreeze is typically incredibly toxic and used in your engine’s cooling system. As temperatures change from hot to cold, automotive antifreeze helps regulate your engine’s temperature and prevent corrosion. Alternatively, RV antifreeze is a non-toxic substance that keeps your RV’s plumbing system from freezing in cold temperatures. 

It’s incredibly important that you never attempt to use automotive antifreeze in your RV’s plumbing system, as the fumes could be fatal to you and your family. Likewise, you should never attempt to use RV antifreeze in your vehicle’s engine, as it may damage your vehicle.

How to winterize an RV

  1. Drain and clean your black and gray tanks:
  2. Flush and drain your water heater:
  3. Locate the water heater bypass:
  4. Drain your fresh water tank and locate the water pump:
  5. Open external and internal faucets and valves:
  6. Add extra antifreeze:

Professional RV winterization

If you don’t want to winterize your RV yourself, you can always pay a professional to do it for you. Many RV dealerships will winterize your RV for you for a fee. If you prefer to have a professional winterize your RV, give your local RV dealerships a call to see if they offer winterization services.

What to look for in quality RV antifreeze

Affordable

Some RV antifreeze brands charge exorbitant prices for their fluid. However, most RV antifreeze costs between $15-$30 a gallon and are more than adequate to get the job done. 

Bulk buying

With around four gallons of RV antifreeze, you can winterize your RV or trailer for two winter seasons. When buying RV antifreeze, consider buying two or four gallons at a time, as they will likely be cheaper per gallon.

Versatile

Most RV antifreeze can be used in swimming pools or marine vehicles as well as your RV. If you want to get the most bang for your buck and own a boat or swimming pool, it’s a good idea to buy RV antifreeze that has multiple uses.

How much you can expect to spend on RV antifreeze

Most RV antifreeze costs around $15-$30 per gallon. If you buy RV antifreeze in bulk, you can expect to pay around $12-$17 per gallon.

RV antifreeze FAQ

How much RV antifreeze do you need to winterize your RV?

A.

Do I need to winterize my RV if I live in it through the winter?

A.

What’s the best RV antifreeze to buy?

Top RV antifreeze

Splash RV/Marine Antifreeze

What you need to know:

What you’ll love:

What you should consider:

Where to buy: Amazon

Top RV antifreeze for the money

RecPro RV Antifreeze

What you need to know:

What you’ll love:

What you should consider:

Where to buy: Amazon

Worth checking out

Peak RV and Marine Antifreeze

What you need to know:

What you’ll love:

What you should consider:

Where to buy: Amazon

 

Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.

Cody Stewart

Share this post: