Your RV is an investment and you want to be able to enjoy it for years to come. In order to get a long life out of your RV, storing it properly is extremely important.
Here are 11 tips to make sure you store your RV properly:
Clean Inside And Out
Check All Seals
Protect Your Battery
Protect Your Tires
Retract Slide Outs
Have Proper Ventilation
Protect Against Pests
Drain All Fluids
Have RV Insurance
Visit Your RV Regularly
Invest In Proper Storage
Wash down the entire outside of your RV with soap and water. Make sure you get the roof and the tires as well. Giving the outside of your RV a good wash will make sure to get off any dirt, dust and debris that slowly cause damage and discolouration while in storage.
After you have completely washed and dried the exterior of your RV, apply some wax. This will give you an extra layer of protection from build up while in storage.
On the interior of your RV, clean every surface and go from top to bottom. Wash all counter tops and inside and out of all cabinets. Vacuum any dust that may have accumulated on the vents and any fabric surfaces.
Completely clean out the fridge, freezer, microwave and stove. Leaving anything, including the smallest of crumbs, can attract pests to your RV. Prop the doors open on your fridge/freezer to prevent any mold or mildew from forming.
Once your RV is completely clean and dry, walk around and have a look at all seams and seals, inside and out. If any have cracked or deteriorated, now is the time to repair them. Making sure all seals are in good condition will help prevent against any sort of water or pest damage while in storage.
If you will be storing your RV while it is cold, it is usually best to remove the battery to prevent it from freezing over the winter. When storing the battery, make sure it is kept in a dry place and off of any cement floor.
Take everything that you can out of the RV. This will minimize the weight that is put on the tires.
Place a piece of plywood under all tires to help evenly distribute the weight.
Try to move your RV every month or two to prevent any flat spots from forming.
Direct sunlight can cause damage to your tires over time. Pick up some tire covers to prevent UV rays from compromising their integrity.
For long term storage, it’s always recommended to retract your RV’s slide outs. This will help protect them, and any seals and mechanical parts, from the elements.
Moisture build up in your RV can become a major problem, causing mold and mildew to grow. To make sure that your RV is properly ventilated, keep all of the roof vents open to provide air circulation throughout the RV. There are special covers that you can also purchase so they can be kept wide open without any rain or pests getting in.
Plug all pipes with steel wool and make sure to remove them in the spring before you take your RV out.
Mice can end up chewing through the walls, wires and pretty much anything they get access to. Making sure there is no type of food in your RV, even crumbs, will help prevent them from making a home in your RV. They won’t want to stay if they don’t have access to food.
When storing your RV for the winter, make sure you winterize and drain all fluids. Your pipes could end up bursting if they freeze. After draining all water, pour antifreeze down all pipes, drains and even toilets to prevent any left-over water from freezing.
Storage facilities are not responsible if anything happens to your RV while in storage, so make sure to have the proper insurance on it just in case. There are policies that are for storage only and can be pretty cheap, so they are worth the peace of mind.
Once you have stored your RV, don’t forget about it. Visit it every month or so to make sure everything is good. If you notice a leak or any mouse droppings, this will allow you to address the problem right away, before it gets out of hand.
Storing your RV in the proper place is just as important as preparing it for storage. Don’t just throw it in your yard or a field and expect it to be in tip top shape come spring. Avoid some common mistakes when storing your RV as they can be costly mistakes.
At Riel Park RV & Self Storage, we have a fully paved and secured compound with individual gate code access, security cameras, great lighting and regular security patrols, you can rest assured that your RV will be safe while stored here. Not sure how RV Storage works? If you have never used RV Storage before, check out our guide on how RV Storage works.
Give one of our storage rental experts a call at 780-459-6435, and rent or reserve your spot today!
