Best RV Antifreeze (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

Risk-free anti-freeze protection for your RV.

byNorah Tarichia|
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BYNorah Tarichia/ March 3, 2021

The cold season can take a toll on your RV’s engine and plumbing system with the fluids freezing, expanding, and causing irreparable damage as they burst out of the lines. However, you can save both systems with the right antifreeze. While regular automotive antifreeze is effective in preventing frozen pipes, it’s toxic and can be harmful to the plumbing lines. This is what makes it necessary to have RV antifreeze, which is a non-toxic formula that helps to prevent pipe expansion and explosion as a result of freezing water.


If it’s your first time winterizing your RV, you may be uncertain about which is the best antifreeze for your RV. There are many choices available and we will help you find the best RV antifreeze that offers the best protection for your vehicle's water supply.

Best Overall
 Camco RV Antifreeze Concentrate

 Camco RV Antifreeze Concentrate

Summary

One 36-ounce bottle of this concentrate makes one gallon of antifreeze for your RV’s pipes. It provides up to -50 degrees of burst protection.

Pros
  • Reasonably priced for a two-pack 
  • Non-toxic and 100 percent biodegradable
  • Suitable for various applications
  • Comes in an easy-to-mix bottle
Cons
  • Doesn’t have a long shelf-life
  • Needs dilution 
  • Colorful packaging can be confusing for kids
Best Value

Splash RV/Marine Antifreeze

Summary

This 1-gallon bottle of ready-to-use antifreeze is safe for RVs and marine equipment. It offers up to -50 degrees of burst protection.

Pros
  • Non-corrosive
  • Can be used on almost all types of vehicles
  • Pink color can be used to detect leaks
  • Comes ready to use
Cons
  • Strong odor
  • May form a black residue or sludge if left open for too long
Honorable Mention

Star Brite Non-Toxic Antifreeze

Summary

Six 1-gallon bottles of this ready-to-use antifreeze provide up to -50 degrees of cold weather and anti-corrosion protection for your engine and plumbing system.

Pros
  • Non-toxic formulation 
  • Enough stock to last an entire season 
  • Designed with corrosion inhibitors to protect the metal components
Cons
  • Has an unpleasant smell
  • Six-pack may be too much for smaller RVs

Summary List

Types of RV Antifreeze

Ethanol-Based 

Also known as alcohol-based antifreeze, this type of antifreeze is the most affordable option available. It works by raising the freezing point of water to help keep your pipes from bursting. However, there are many downsides to using alcohol in your water system. For one, it can affect the taste of drinking water and the smell can be unbearable. Also, it may require quite some effort to flush it out of the system. Another thing is, alcohol tends to dry out rubber seals so you may experience leaks and have to replace the seals at the end of the cold season. 

Propylene-Glycol-Based

Propylene glycol is a synthetic type of alcohol that also raises the freezing point of water. It’s the best type of antifreeze for your RV’s water system since the compound is odorless, tasteless, and non-toxic. Also, it’s good at retaining moisture so it will help condition and prolong the life of the rubber seals.  

Propylene-Ethanol Blend 

Combining the best of ethanol- and propylene-based antifreeze, this option is just as effective at raising the freezing point of water and keeping your RV’s plumbing lines in good condition when the temperatures dip below -40 degrees. It’s also non-toxic but the alcohol content may still go a long way in damaging the seals. 

Best RV Antifreezes: Reviews & Recommendations

Protect your RV’s piping system from freezing and bursting with the Camco RV Antifreeze concentrate. For a reasonable price, you get two, 36-ounce bottles and each bottle can make up to a gallon of diluted antifreeze, which is enough to protect your RV’s entire plumbing setup. The concentrate comes in an easy-to-measure bottle that lets you dilute the mixture with water in the right proportions. The red fluid provides up to -50 degrees of burst protection, and it can also be used in swimming pools, boats, or at home to keep the pipes from freezing. It’s also a biodegradable and non-toxic formula that’s safe for pets. 

 

However, you should use the whole bottle right away once you’ve opened and diluted it — it loses its effectiveness the longer it stays in the bottle.

Recommended for RVs, motorcycles, ATVs, and speed boats, the Splash RV and Marine Antifreeze helps to keep the fluids in your engine and plumbing system from freezing. The formulation is effective, reliable, and safe for your water lines despite being budget-priced. It provides up to -50 degrees of burst protection and doesn’t need to be diluted. It’s packaged in an ergonomic one-gallon bottle, and the mixture is pink to help you easily detect if there are any leaks in the system.  


While it may be a non-toxic formula, you should still keep it out of reach from children since the pink color and graphics on the bottle may make it appealing to them. Also, the fluid might have specks of black residue if left open for too long. 

The Star Brite Non-Toxic Antifreeze provides a convenient way of protecting your RV or marine equipment’s engine and piping system for the entire winter season with six 1-gallon bottles of antifreeze. It’s a non-toxic, propylene-glycol-based formula that’s safe for copper, brass, and all types of plastics. It can also be used in the drinking water setup. The formula is designed to offer up to -50 degrees of burst protection and contains corrosion inhibitors to protect all metal engine components. It also acts as a lubricant to protect the rubber seals and gaskets in the engine. To save you the hassle of diluting the mixture, the fluid comes ready-to-use straight from the bottle. 


Although it has an appealing pink color, the fluid has a strong smell, but it’s tolerable. Also, the six-pack may be a bit much for small trailers.

Keep your RV smelling fresh and the piping in good condition with the Camco RV Winter Kit. It’s a 10-piece kit that comes with three, 32-ounce Premium Ban Frost Antifreeze Concentrate bottles, a mini dehumidifier, a fridge door stay, a hand pump kit, a hanging dehumidifier, a refillable dehumidifier, a moisture absorber, a blowout plug, and a 5-gallon bucket. You will need the blow-out plug to clear out the water lines before using the hand pump kit to add the antifreeze. You also get a manual with a step-by-step guide on how to use each of the products in the kit. The antifreeze is a non-toxic, propylene glycol concentrate that includes corrosion inhibitors, and protectors that will keep your water lines from freezing even in the harshest winter. 


However, if you only need the antifreeze, then you may find this winter kit to be an expensive and somewhat unnecessary purchase.

The Peak RV and Marine Antifreeze is a non-toxic formula that can be used on all types of portable water systems. It can also be used in swimming pool filtration systems. It’s designed to provide up to -50 degrees of antifreeze protection, and also contains additives that protect against scaling, rust, or corrosion in the pipes. The formulation is considered GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the Food and Drug Administration so it can be used in drinking water systems. The 1-gallon bottle comes ready-to-use and you can use it at full strength without worrying about corroding brass, copper, or plastic pipes. 


While it may be a safe formula, it has an unpleasant smell. However, the odor may not be an issue after it mixes with water in the plumbing system.

Ready your RV for the cold season with the RecPro RV Antifreeze, which offers boats and RVs up to -50 degrees of burst protection. It’s a non-toxic, propylene-glycol-based formulation that’s made with FDA-approved ingredients so it’s safe for drinking water. It doesn’t leave behind any unpleasant taste or smell in the water. The formula is also safe for copper, brass, steel, and plastic plumbing lines. On top of that, it lubricates seals and gaskets so they don’t freeze up and crack. Besides RV use, you can also use it in swimming pool filtration systems or your home’s plumbing and sewage system. This ready-to-use, purple fluid is packaged in a 1-gallon bottle. 


However, it’s only available in a bulk amount — either as a two-pack or a four-pack, which is a bit much for small RV owners. Also, the larger package might ship with a few leaking bottles.

Safe for marine and RV water systems, the Camco Easy Going Antifreeze is a propylene-glycol-based formula that provides up to -50 degrees of freeze protection. You get six 1-gallon bottles of red antifreeze that are ready to use straight out of the bottle. The formulation is non-toxic and tasteless so it’s safe to use in freshwater systems. It contains corrosion and fouling inhibitors to prevent rust and algae growth respectively. Also included are lubricating additives to help condition the seals and valves throughout the system. Its red color can help you detect leaks in your plumbing system so you can fix them before they get worse. 


The main caveat with this product lies with the color and packaging, which may appeal to kids and make them think it’s a fruity drink. 

Our Verdict on the Best RV Antifreezes

The Camco RV Antifreeze Concentrate is the best option for maintaining a steady flow in your RV’s pipes throughout the winter season. It also doesn’t affect the taste or smell of your water system. However, if you are looking for a budget-priced option that still gets the job done, we recommend the Splash RV/Marine Antifreeze.

Benefits of RV Antifreeze

  • Prevent freezing. RV antifreeze can be used in the RV’s plumbing system to keep water from freezing and bursting in the pipes. For the same reason, it can also be used in your RV’s water holding tank or sewer system. It will help save you the cost of expensive plumbing repairs. 
  • Non-toxic. Most RV antifreeze is safe for drinking water and won’t harm animals. Also, most are made of biodegradable material so they won't have any negative effects on the environment if they accidentally spill, leak, or are flushed down a sewer system. 
  • Convenience. Most RV antifreeze comes as diluted solutions so they are ready for use right out of the bottle. They are also easy to use and eliminate the need of having to blow out water from the plumbing lines. 
  • Multiple uses. Not only will you get antifreeze for your RV’s water system, but you can also use it in your vacation home, swimming pool, boat, and some formulations can also be used in the engine.  

RV Antifreeze Pricing

  • Under $30: Expect to find the inexpensive ethanol-based or propylene-ethanol antifreeze within this price range. Most are sold as single one-gallon bottles of pre-diluted formula.  
  • $30-$50: This price range mostly includes propylene-glycol-based antifreeze that is safe for your drinking water system. On top of acting as antifreeze agents, they also include lubricants and anti-corrosion additives to help keep your plumbing lines in good condition.  
  • $50 and up: Typically, the antifreeze within this price range comes as packs of two or more one-gallon bottles. Most are eco-friendly and have a long shelf-life so they can work for anyone who wants to buy antifreeze in bulk. 

Key Features

Temperature Rating

Most RV antifreeze have a temperature rating, or otherwise known as burst protection, of -50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is good enough for most locations that experience a frigid climate. But if possible, you can choose an antifreeze with a higher temperature rating of up to -100 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure your plumbing lines won’t freeze no matter how terrible the weather gets. 

Safety 

You want to prioritize a non-toxic solution so you can use it in your drinking water system, and not have to worry about harming your kids or pets in case they happen to consume the antifreeze. For this reason, prioritize propylene-glycol-based antifreeze that are eco-friendly and FDA-approved. Ethanol-based antifreeze is flammable and can be dangerous to have around children. 

Concentration 

Consider if you want an already prepared solution (pre-diluted) or if you would like a concentrated solution so you can prepare it yourself. The benefit of a pre-diluted solution is, it eliminates the risk of messing up the solution by preparing it yourself. However, a concentrated solution is typically more affordable and has a longer shelf life than a diluted formula. 

Other Considerations

  • Compatibility. Make sure to read the label and ensure the antifreeze is RV compatible. The last thing you want is having to flush it out only a few days after you notice that it’s clogging your pipes.
  • Additives. Prioritize formulations that come with extra additives that help to preserve the condition of your water and sewer system. This may include rust or corrosion inhibitors and lubrication additives to help condition the rubber seals. 
  • Liquid Color. Consider purchasing a colored antifreeze so it can help you detect leaks in the plumbing lines. Also, when it’s time to de-winterize your RV, colored antifreeze makes it easier to tell when the water system is clear after you start flashing it out. 

Tips

  • If you have a concentrated solution, we recommend mixing the entire bottle instead of dealing with smaller proportions. Also, mix in the proportions recommended by the manufacturer so you don’t end up with either a weak or strong solution.  
  • While most antifreeze are non-toxic, you should still exercise caution and keep them out of reach of children and pets, especially if you have a concentrated solution. RV antifreeze is colorful and some may smell fruity so kids may be encouraged to ingest it. 
  • Do not mix different types of antifreeze in your water lines — the two solutions can form sludge, which can be difficult to flush out when it’s time to de-winterize your RV. Be sure to flush out the older solution before adding the new one. 
  • Be sure to know what your plumbing lines are made of so you can purchase the right antifreeze for the material. 

FAQs

Q: How does RV antifreeze work?

RV antifreeze is a liquid solution that’s poured down your RV’s water tanks, drains, or sewer system. It helps to raise the freezing point of water so it doesn’t freeze, expand, and rupture the pipes. 

Q: Is an RV antifreeze toxic to animals?

Propylene-glycol-based antifreeze isn’t toxic to animals. Generally, it’s eco-friendly and safe for your drinking water system.

Q: Can I use RV antifreeze in cars?

Using RV antifreeze in a car can be a disaster since it’s not formulated with anti-boiling agents, unlike regular antifreeze. The engine may overheat and eventually get damaged. 

Q: How do I get the antifreeze out of my RV?

When the cold season is over, you can de-winterize your RV by running fresh water in the plumbing system. You can either connect a water pump from a nearby freshwater tank or use the city’s water inlet. You can also check out how to dispose of your vehicle antifreeze here

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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