If you have to place your RV in storage, there are a few tips you need to follow to maintain its condition and to prevent damage. If you don’t want to run into any problems with your RV. make sure you do the following before placing it in storage:
Clean And Check The Seals
A good wash and wax will help protect your RV from sun damage and will also prevent dirt buildup. A coat of wax will also make the cleanup process after storage much easier, sO don’t forget to follow these steps. Pay attention to your roof when washing your RV because a lot of the black streaks come from dirt and road grime from your roof. Make sure you clean this aspect properly and once your rig is clean, take a close look at all of the silicon seams, caulking and rubber seals to see if anything is cracked or worn. If you detect such problems, repair them before you place your RV in storage; otherwise, you will have to pay a fortune on repair bills.
Leave Your Rooftop Vents Open
You need to install special vent covers for this so that you can leave them wide open, as this will keep the interior of your RV dry. It’s important that you keep moisture out of your RV; otherwise, you may experience mold growth and musty smells once you remove your RV from storage. The covers will stop rain from getting inside while allowing lots of airflows.
Be Careful With Blinds And Curtains
Do not use nighttime shades when storing your RV, and use translucent daytime shades instead. Keep these drawn so that daylight can still penetrate, as this will help prevent mould growth.
Block Off All External Openings To Prevent Bugs And Rodents From Entering Your RV
This would provide you with quite a shocking and nasty surprise, so make sure any external openings are blocked off or screened. Bugs love to find shelter in rooftop plumbing vents, furnace exhausts and inside the exterior fridge panel and vent, so pay extra attention to these areas and find screens for these openings before storing your RV. It’s also important that you remove any and all food sources and nesting materials so that rats and mice stay away.
Take Care Of The Electrical Components
It is recommended that you turn off all electrical appliances using a battery disconnect switch so that your battery bank does not drain. This step will also prevent you from dealing with a dead battery bank when you pick up your RV from storage, but you have to make sure the batteries are fully charged first so that it does not freeze during the colder months.
Winterize The Water System
Before the temperature dips below 0 degrees celsius, it is vital to winterize the water and plumbing systems in your RV. This is also important if you plan on making one last trip before storing your RV for the winter. If the water In your RV does freeze while it’s in storage, it will most likely cost you a lot of money to repair. The following are basic tips on how to winterize your RV, but please read the owner’s manual to check the winterization checklist for your specific unit.
- Turn off the water heater
- Flush and drain all water pipes by turning on all faucets
- Fill the system with antifreeze and double-check that it makes its way to all faucets
- Pour antifreeze down all drains for extra protection
If you want peace of mind knowing your RV is safe all winter long, contact Wheeler’s RV Storage today!
