Weather & Storm Preparation

RV Freeze Protection for Central Texas Winters

Answers: How do I protect my RV plumbing during a Texas hard freeze if I'm living in it? · Updated August 2026

Central Texas gives you mild winters and then two or three nights that break pipes across the county. You cannot fully winterize a rig you are living in, so you protect it instead.

Quick answer

Before a hard freeze, insulate or heat-tape the water hose, keep the underbelly warm, let a faucet drip, open cabinet doors under sinks, keep propane full, and know where your low-point drains are in case you need to dump the lines.

Before the season

Heated water hose or hose insulation plus heat tape.
Insulate the pedestal connection and any exposed pipe.
Confirm your underbelly is enclosed and intact.
Check that the furnace runs and the propane tank is full.
Locate and label your low-point drains and water heater bypass.

The night before a hard freeze

Disconnect and drain the hose if you can run off the fresh tank.
Open sink and vanity cabinet doors so heat reaches the pipes.
Let a faucet drip if you stay on city water.
Keep the furnace running — it heats the underbelly on most rigs.
Close the sewer valve and keep tanks from sitting near empty in the cold.

Skirting

Skirting makes a real difference for a rig that stays through winter, but it must allow ventilation and follow park rules. Ask the office before installing anything semi-permanent.

After the freeze

Check for leaks as things thaw, especially under sinks and at the water heater. A split line often does not show until pressure returns.

Frequently asked questions

How cold does it get in Temple, TX?

Winters are mild, but Bell County typically sees a few nights below freezing and occasionally a multi-day hard freeze.

Should I use the electric heater or the furnace?

Electric heaters warm the living space; the propane furnace is what usually warms the underbelly. During a freeze, run the furnace.

Follow your manufacturer first. This guide is general information from a long-term RV park, not a substitute for the instructions that came with your RV, appliances, roof material, tires, or propane system. Those documents take priority. Use a qualified RV technician or licensed trade for propane, 120-volt electrical, refrigerant, structural, and suspension work.

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