The road can be tough on your RV. Whether you’re traveling cross country or just a few miles to the next campground, following the proper steps to prepare your RV for storage is essential to keeping your motorhome in its best condition. To keep your RV running smoothly and in top shape for your next road trip, it’s essential that you follow these tips before parking it in self storage. Follow these 8 easy steps before winter and you will have a much better experience when it comes time for spring.
Step 1. Wash the Exterior before Self Storage
Many people don’t think about cleaning their RV until it is time to use it. Just like washing your car, you should wash the exterior of your RV to clean off any dirt, salt, bugs, etc. before storing it for the winter or all year long! We recommend doing this every fall after you are done going camping for the season because washing it before storing will save you a whole lot of work when it comes time to fire up that engine in the spring!
Step 2. Clean the Interior
Reach in the storage unit and pull out the vacuum cleaner — it’s time to get cleaning! If you’re providing self storage for your RV, you are going to want to make sure you clean those surfaces very well. Vacuum all carpets, rugs, and upholstery; clean the inside of your oven, stovetops, and cabinets with a baking soda paste; wipe down or polish countertops, appliances, and knobs; scrub the flooring in between the walls, underneath the furniture, and every nook and cranny of your bathroom. Taking time now to deep clean your RV before storing it away for winter will ensure it’s ready for use once you take it back out into the sunlight.
Step 3. Seal Entrances
In a perfect world, all of the little critters you see scurrying around would simply stay where they belong. Unfortunately, nature has other plans that oftentimes include these animals invading an RV. There are a few things you can do to prevent this from happening – seal off any entrance to your RV including pipes, vents, or windows. Sometimes small animals end up crawling in these tight spots and cause lots of damage to the inner workings of your vehicle. After doing this, also place some kind of pet deterrent near these areas for extra precaution.
Step 4. Remove Battery
If you’re using outdoor RV storage, take out the battery and keep it in a temperature controlled area. If not, your battery will die and could get damaged from hot and cold temperatures. When you are storing your RV in a climate controlled indoor facility, you can leave your battery in the RV and keep it on trickle charge. Either way, charging the battery frequently (every few months) is important to keep its lifespan.
Step 5. Add Fuel Stabilizer & Antifreeze before Self Storage
To make your fuel last longer, it’s a good idea to buy a fuel stabilizer. This product is added to your fuel tank that helps prevent corrosion and seasonal storage problems. You should add antifreeze to your pipes if your RV will be exposed to extreme cold weather.
Step 6. Put on RV Cover
Investing in a quality RV cover will be extremely beneficial to the exterior and overall appearance of your RV. Using a proper RV cover can block out outside elements as well as debris and dust when storing inside. This helps prevent fading, cracking, mold and mildew. Aside from protecting your RV, you’ll also get extra self storage space while things are covered.
Step 7. Use a Jack
One of the best things you can do for your RV tires is to leave them jacked up and off the ground. This allows the tires to be aired up, instead of sitting on the bottom of a deflated tire and it helps prevent flat spots on your tires.
Step 8. Check on your RV in Self Storage
After you choose a storage unit for your RV, make sure you are checking on the vehicle periodically to catch any issues that may have occurred. This is especially important for those storing long-term.
Did you find our tips on storing an RV in winter useful? Let us know what you think in the comments. Additionally, visit our website or contact us today!