RV Storage Tips – Preparing your recreational vehicle for storage? Follow these useful RV Storage Tips to assure your RV is ready:
-Avoid parking your RV underneath trees or in areas where weeds and grass grow. (Not a problem when you store your RV at In Towne Storage!)
-If you decide to purchase a cover for your recreational vehicle, confirm it’s made from a “breatheable” material. This will serve to prevent mold and mildew from growing.
-Chock the vehicle’s rear and front wheels. Make sure the parking brake is off. If you’ll be storing a pop up outdoors, be sure to angle the tongue in a downward direction. This helps with water and snow run off.
RV Storage Tips
-Inflate the vehicle’s tires to the maximum cold pressure according the manufacturer’s recommendations. Cover the vehicle’s tires in order to protect them against the sun’s ultraviolet rays. If you do not plan to take off the tires for longer-term storage, occasionally move your RV a few feet. This helps to avoid flat spots upon the tires.
-Shut all the window blinds to prevent sun exposure on drapes, carpet and upholstery.
-Wash the exterior of the RV. Also, give the interior a thorough cleaning.
-Ensure the awning’s fabric is dry and clean before putting into storage.
-For a pop up, confirm that the fabric is dry and clean prior to storing. This is an optimal time to look for rips and make repairs to the fabric.
-Look at all the roof and body seams. In addition, check the window sealant for gaps and cracks. Moisture can seep into even the tiniest openings, so thoroughly inspect all the sealants. Consult with your dealer for window sealants which are compatible with the materials.
-Service all the locks on your RV with a quality spray lubricant. Lube all the moving components and hinges with a product like WD 40.
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-Shut off all LP gas appliances. Switch off the main LP gas supply valve too. If you’ll be storing a travel trailer or pop up make sure to cover the LP gas regulator.
-Take out the fuse from the LP gas leak detector before putting the RV in storage. This helps prevent the battery from discharging. Remember to replace it when you take the RV out of storage.
-Odorant that’s in LP gas tends to attract insects. To keep wasps from building nests in gas appliances, cover up the refrigerator, furnace and the water heater vents.
-Look at your RV’s underside thoroughly. Look for any areas where rodents could access and seal them up as necessary.
-Strategically locate mouse and bug traps in and near the unit. Avoid using mice repellent and poison inside the RV. Many RV owners find that dryer sheets are effective for keeping mice out.
-Remove any items that could freeze as well as other perishables.
-Leave drawers and cabinets partly open.
-Dispose any consumable products that risk attracting mice and other pests.
-Defrost your RV’s freezer and clean out the refrigerator. Leave the refrigerator door ajar and put some baking soda in it to prevent odors.
-Clean the air conditioning filters and cover up the air conditioner unit.
-Switch off your RV’s main breaker. Make sure to unplug all the appliances.
Take dry cell batteries out of items like clocks and flashlights.
-When preparing a recreational vehicle for storage, it’s a smart idea to remove the vehicle’s batteries and store them too. This is a fairly easy task. As you remove the batteries, remember to remove the negative terminal first. Clean the battery with a 50/50 blend of water and baking soda as necessary. Store your batteries in a dry and cool place where they will not be at risk of freezing. While in storage batteries loose their charge. Check the state of your batteries charge once per month. Charge batteries that fall below 80 percent state of charge.
-Check and refill the water levels in all your batteries that aren’t maintenance free. Check the electrolyte levels and, if necessary, add water.
-As necessary, charge all your batteries before putting in storage. Discharged or partly charged batteries tend to freeze much sooner than those with a full charge. Additionally, remove and clean battery posts and terminals. Spray the terminals with a quality terminal dressing to safeguard against corrosion.
-Do you plan to start your RV while it is in storage? If so, periodically plug the RV into shore power once monthly for approximately eight hours. This keeps the coach batteries at sufficient charge.
-If you place the unit in storage for a long time, remove batteries and put them in storage where they won’t freeze.
During a short-term storage, start up the RV each month. Let it run it with the dashboard air on for 30 minutes at least.
If you do not plan on starting the RV buy fogging oil from a local marine supply store. This helps protect the cylinder walls. After parking the RV in storage, spray fogging oil into the vehicle’s engine intake downstream from the air filter while the engine idles. Perform the same steps with the generator. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. However, do not use the product on a diesel engine.
-Fill your RV’s fuel tank before putting it in storage. Also, add fuel stabilizer. Run the vehicle’s engine and generator for enough time to allow the stabilizer to move through the system. Naturally, follow the manufacturer’s suggestions. If the vehicle will not be in long-range storage, run the generator for at least two hours every month.
-Change the oil and the oil filter for the engine and the generator before putting in storage. Acids can collect in old oil and possibly corrode the engine bearings.
-Look at the engine radiator for the correct concentration of antifreeze. Look at your owner’s manual for the proper variety of engine antifreeze. Drain, flush and fill the system every two to three years.
-Also, drain your RV’s windshield washer reservoir. Or, you can add some antifreeze solution to prevent it the washer fluid from freezing.
-Conduct a complete chassis lubrication before putting your RV into storage.
This post about putting your RV into storage wouldn’t be complete without a few tips for taking it back out of storage in the spring!
-Sanitize your RV’s water system and inspect it for water leaks. Switch the 12-volt water pump on while there’s water in the fresh water holding tank. After it pressurizes the system and switches off, it should not switch on again until you open a faucet. If the pump does switch on sporadically, even for a brief time, it’s a sign of a water leak.
-Verify correct toilet function.
-Remove tape or protective coverings over LP gas or external vents to keep bugs and rodents out. Check and empty any mousetraps you set when you first put your RV in storage. Open doors and compartments to look for mouse intrusion and moisture damage.
-Wash your RV thoroughly. This offers an ideal time to assess the roof and vehicle body seams. Check window sealant for cracks that might permit water in. Consult an RV dealer for sealants that are compatible with these types of materials.
-Inspect your tires for indications of wear and dry rot. Also, check all the lug nuts for correct torque.
