Investing in an RV is a great way to open up all sorts of vacation and travel possibilities for your family, but it also comes with some responsibilities. If you have recently purchased an RV, you need to understand the unique storage preparation and needs that it will require for winter. Here are some fundamentals to help you get started.
Choose a Storage Option
Before you can adequately prepare your RV for storage, you need to know where you will be storing it, since the environment that it is stored in plays a role in some of the preparation requirements.
While you can always opt to store it in your own yard, that can be cumbersome and may even limit the protections for the RV. As an alternative, you can consider covered or enclosed RV storage. There are plenty of places that offer RV self storage rentals, so consider the features available to choose the one that's right for you.
Prep the RV Exterior
The exterior of your RV needs particular attention before you put it into storage. First, start by cleaning the whole thing. Roll out your awning and ensure that it is clean and dry before rolling it back up.
Examine the entire exterior of the RV for any signs of damage, such as cracks, loose caulking, or deteriorating seals. Repair any and all of this damage before you put the RV into storage for the season.
You should also invest in a breathable cover for the RV unless it will be stored indoors in a climate-controlled storage area. The cover will allow for airflow while blocking UV ray damage and keeping dust and other debris off the RV. Tire covers are also helpful to prevent your tires from suffering UV degradation.
Clean the Interior
Remove all of your personal belongings from the RV, then thoroughly clean the interior. This removes any crumbs, dirt, grease, and other debris that could potentially attract pests. Avoid any moisture accumulation inside the RV by adding a few moisture absorbency containers throughout the RV before you close it up. This will prevent the musty, damp odors inside when you open it back up in the spring.
Prevent Water Damage
Work with your RV storage company to have a contractor help you flush and drain the water systems in the RV. The last thing you need is to have the water lines freeze up over the winter, since that can lead to cracked lines and all sorts of disasters.
Have your holding tanks flushed and drained as well, because anything sitting in those over the storage period could not only freeze but also breed bacteria.
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