It’s fall and the leaves are donning their party colours before they say goodbye to the year. It also signals it’s time to start seriously thinking about packing your RV away until spring. As a home-on-wheels, your RV needs a little more care than your car to prepare it for the colder months ahead. If you are a first time RV owner, it can seem a little daunting. Read on for our tips on how to properly prepare your RV for the winter.
1. Storage
You can’t park your RV in your driveway over winter, so it’s a good idea to look for RV storage close to your location. If renting a specialised space is not an option, then try and find a covered area with solid ground to store your RV. Avoid storing your RV under trees or in tall grass and find a breathable cover for it. This will allow air to flow and prevent mold from growing under it.
2. Inflate Your Tires
Inflate your tires to the maximum recommended pressure and make sure they are shielded from the elements including the sun. Show them some TLC by giving them a good wash first. Storing your RV on blocks or jacks is a good idea when you’re storing it for a long time. If not, make sure your tires are resting on some plywood to protect them from wear.
3. Prep the Exteriors
Taking care of the exteriors can go a long way towards protecting the interiors of your RV. Give your RV a good wash and wax. Check all the seams and windows for cracks and tears and seal any openings you find to make it watertight.
4. Prevent Mildew and Bugs
Open your rooftop vents to allow airflow with a proper vent cover to keep leakages out. Use screens over gas vents and pipe ends and plug any openings underneath the RV with foam or silicone. This will stop bugs and rodents from wintering in your RV.
5. Clean and Dry the Interiors
Clean the interiors of your RV thoroughly including any cupboards and your fridge. This will make sure it looks inviting when you reopen it in spring. Cleaning it also makes sure that you get rid of any spills that may attract bugs and other pests. Leave your fridge open to prevent bad odours from developing. Check for any possible cracks and leaks while cleaning the insides and repair those. Make sure you remove any liquid items like soaps, sodas etc., from your RV too.
6. Plumbing and Gas
The last thing you want is to deal with burst pipes. Drain your plumbing system completely including your water tanks. You can use a blow out plug and air compressor to do that after draining all the water from your taps. Another option is to run anti-freeze through your RVs pipes.
Turn off the LP-gas supply valve and switch off the main breaker too.
7. RV Batteries
What you do with your batteries depends on where you’re storing it. If you are storing your RV indoors in a space where you can plug them into shore power, then you can leave them in as long as you make sure you charge them up for at least eight hours each month. If not, then remove your batteries and store them in a warm, dry space.
Making sure your RV is properly prepped for the winter can mean you can hop into your RV and get going as soon as the weather permits. If you need help winterizing your vehicle in BC, get in touch with the experts at Trademasters Vehicle Solutions. We’re always happy to help!