Winterizing Your RV in Texas: Why It Matters — And How It Protects Your Tankless Water Heater

Texas winters may be mild compared to other parts of the country, but a single hard freeze is all it takes to cause thousands of dollars in damage to your RV. At Vogt RV, we see it every year — RVs coming out of storage with cracked plumbing lines, ruined valves, and worst of all, destroyed tankless water heaters that were never properly winterized.

If you own a travel trailer, fifth wheel, motorhome, or luxury coach, winterization isn’t optional. It’s the simplest, most affordable way to protect your investment from freeze damage — especially when modern RVs rely on advanced tankless water heater systems.

Below, we’ll walk you through why winterizing is so important, how Texas weather can still cause serious problems, and why tankless systems are the most expensive component to lose to a freeze.

---

Why Texas RV Owners Need to Winterize — Even in Mild Winters

Here in North Texas, temperatures can drop below freezing with little notice. Even one overnight freeze can cause:

• Cracked PEX plumbing lines

• Damaged elbows, fittings, and valves

• Failed water pumps

• Split water filters

• Leaking faucets

• Broken holding tank connections

Most of this damage stays hidden until spring — when you de-winterize and everything starts leaking.

The most expensive repair of all?
Freeze-damaged tankless water heaters.

---

Tankless Water Heaters: The Expensive Freeze Risk No One Talks About

Newer RVs from brands like Airstream, Jayco, Tiffin, and many luxury manufacturers now use tankless systems such as Truma AquaGo, Girard, or Furrion. They give you endless hot water and faster heating — but they’re extremely vulnerable to freeze damage.

Here’s why:

• They contain multiple internal chambers that trap water

• Precision sensors and flow valves cannot tolerate ice expansion

• Internal copper lines burst easily when frozen

• Even a small pocket of water left inside can ruin the system

A replacement tankless water heater typically costs:

$2,000–$4,000+ installed.
Repairs, when possible, can still exceed $1,000.

And no — freeze damage isn’t covered under warranty.

This is why proper winterization done by a certified service team is critical.

---

What Proper RV Winterization Includes

When you schedule winterization at Vogt RV, our technicians follow manufacturer-approved steps to ensure every part of your RV is protected — especially your tankless water heater. Service includes:

✔ Draining and clearing all water lines

A drain alone is not enough. We remove all water from the plumbing system using the correct method for your RV.

✔ Protecting the water pump, valves, and fixtures

These components can crack from even a small freeze.

✔ Correctly bypassing tankless water heaters

This step is often done incorrectly by DIYers — and it’s the most expensive mistake.

✔ Adding RV-safe antifreeze where required

Used to protect components that cannot fully drain.

✔ Verifying that tanks, low-point drains, and appliances are safe

No hidden pockets of water, no surprise failures in the spring.

---

When Should You Winterize in DFW?

Plan to winterize when temperatures dip to 28°F or lower, especially if:

• Your RV is stored outside

• You’re not camping during the cold spell

• Your tankless water heater sits on an exterior wall

• You own a luxury coach or late-model RV with advanced plumbing

In Texas, freeze damage most often happens when owners think, “It won’t get that cold.”
But all it takes is one night.

---

Signs Your RV Wasn’t Fully Winterized

Common symptoms we see in the service department:

• No hot water or errors on tankless control panel

• Water leaking from the water heater compartment

• Faucets or showers that won’t pressurize

• Water pump not priming

• Wet floors or cabinets after turning on water

If you experience any of these, schedule service immediately to prevent additional damage.

---

Protect Your RV — Schedule Winterization at Vogt RV

Winterizing is fast, affordable, and gives you peace of mind all season long. Our team specializes in protecting advanced tankless water heater systems, ensuring your RV is safe during North Texas freezes.

👉 Winterization starts at $197
👉 Same-day appointments available

Book your winterization now and avoid a $3,000 surprise in the spring.

---

Bottom Line

Your RV is a major investment — and the tankless water heater is one of the costliest components to replace. A quick winterization appointment at Vogt RV protects your plumbing system, prevents freeze damage, and ensures your coach is ready for adventure when warmer weather returns.