While fall is just beginning and winter seems very far away, it’s really right around the corner. And while many travel south to avoid the freezing weather, many RV owners choose to store their RV for the cold months. If this is you, there are a few things to do to protect your ride.
Here are some steps to take to get your RV ready for winter and ready to be stored.
Prepare the Plumbing
You’ll want to prepare your plumbing from freezing which means draining all the tanks, draining the water heater, and draining the fresh water. If your RV has a washer/dryer and ice maker, you will also want to follow the manufacturer’s steps to protect those appliances. You will then want to use an RV antifreeze or air pressure to blow out all the remaining water. Antifreeze is the surest method to guarantee that your pipes will not freeze.
Decide What to Do with the Battery
There are a few options when it comes to the RV battery. If you’re not storing the RV in a location where AC power is available then it’s best to take the starting battery out and store it in a place where it won’t freeze. A discharged battery is more likely to freeze than a full one so if possible, charge it about once a month. If you don’t wish to disconnect from your RV, then it’s important to disconnect them. This will help keep the battery from draining. Again, you will want to top off the charge about once a month to help it from freezing.
Fill Gas & Get an Oil change
While it may seem a bit strange to fill your RV up with gas before storing it, it will help prevent condensation in the tank. As for the oil change, used motor oil contains acidic compounds that can cause corrosion and damage inside the damage.
Cover it up!
Most importantly, use a portable garage to store your RV. While it may be tempting to just throw a tarp over your RV, the plain plastic allows moisture to build up which means bad news. A portable garage, made of heavy-duty structural steel frames, can withstand heavy winds, rain, and snow. Plus, when you’re not using them for your RV, they also double as a storage space for your equipment, tools, tractors, etc.
There are so many storage options for your RV’s and other toys. Ready to buy? Have questions? Contact us at Portable Garage Depot and we can answer any questions that you might have!