How do I use the water heater bypass valves on my trailer for normal use and winterizing?

Please take a moment to watch the video below for step-by-step guidance, or follow the step-by-step written directions.

If you need additional help, our After Sales team at Escape Trailer will be happy to assist you. You can submit a support ticket using this form. 

1. What a water heater bypass valve does

• A bypass valve system lets you redirect water so it either:

  • goes through the water heater (normal use), or

  • goes around it (winterizing)

• It’s mainly used to save antifreeze when winterizing an RV or trailer.

2. Step-by-step: Normal (summer/camping) mode

• Locate the 3 valves:

  • Cold water inlet valve

  • Hot water outlet valve

  • Bypass valve (connects the two lines)

• Set valves for normal use:

  • Open the cold inlet valve

  • Open the hot outlet valve

  • Close the bypass valve

• Result:

  • Water flows into the heater

  • Water is heated

  • Hot water comes out normally

3. Step-by-step: Winterizing (bypass mode)

• Turn off or drain the water heater if needed.

• Set valves for bypass:

  • Close the cold inlet valve

  • Close the hot outlet valve

  • Open the bypass valve

• Connect antifreeze to the system (if using RV antifreeze).

• Result:

  • Water/antifreeze flows through the plumbing lines

  • It skips filling the water heater

  • You use much less antifreeze

4. Valve position tip (ball valves)

• Handle pointing along the pipe = open

• Handle turned across the pipe = closed

• (Some setups also use handles pointing toward each other or away depending on layout, so confirm flow direction.)

5. Important seasonal check

• Before each trip or season:

• • Check valve positions

  • Make sure:

    • Summer: bypass is OFF (heater in use)

    • Winter: bypass is ON (heater skipped)

• Why it matters
  • Using the bypass correctly:

    • Prevents wasting antifreeze

    • Protects your water heater in freezing weather

    • Makes seasonal setup faster and easier