Tips to Live By When You Need to Store Your RV

Purchasing your RV is one of the biggest purchases you will make.  We know everyone loves their RV and would hate to see anything happen to their investment while in RV storage. The following is a list of tips to keep your vacation safe, secure and protected.

 

 

1. Drain all tanks; fresh, black and grey water.  Failure to do so can result in serious damage to the tanks, piping and valves.
2. Clean and check all seals. When putting your RV away for the season, it’s a great time to check seals for damage and prevent any chance of future leaks that can cause damage.
3. Drain all waterlines, pump in plumbers anti-freeze and pour it down your sink and tub drains. This will prevent the p-traps, waterlines and pumps from freezing and cracking.
4. With storage during the summer months, ventilation is crucial. Any moisture that develops can leave a musty smell and even worse develop mold. Leaving your roof vents open a crack can allow airflow and dissipate moisture.
5. When storing for the winter, shut off all power and ensure you have a way to trickle charge your batteries. If it is not possible to trickle charge, pull out all batteries and store them in a warm, dry place. Batteries that freeze with no charge on them are often damaged beyond repair and may need to be replaced.



6. Remove all food and clean up any food particles left behind. Do not leave anything that will attract mice or any other rodents.
7. Go through your RV and plug any openings that bugs and rodents can get through. Steel wool is an excellent way to plug openings and prevent rodents from entering.
8. Cover tires and windshield wipers. Over time the sun can be quite damaging and covering these items can vastly prolong their life.
9. Double check that all windows and doors are closed and locked.
10. Whether it is a fifth wheel, travel trailer or motorhome, lock it up.  It does not matter how secure a storage facility is, if someone wants in bad enough, they will find a way.
11. Finally, last but not least, go check on it.  When you check on your RV periodically you can discover small issues and correct them before they become much larger and more expensive.