When it is time to store your RV, simply parking it somewhere and just leaving it can be a very costly mistake. It may seem overwhelming to winterize your RV, but taking it step by step and avoiding these 6 mistakes will protect your RV for many years to come.
1. Forgetting To Empty The Fridge And Storage Compartments
2. Not Emptying And Treating Your Water Lines
3. Not Removing The Battery
4. Not Investing In A Cover
5. Forgetting About Your Tires
6. Not Shopping Around For The Best Storage Space To Suit Your Needs
Not emptying your fridge, freezer and storage compartments can lead to catastrophic damages done by the time you take your RV out again. Food products and other perishable items can attract pests and rodents. Once these get into your trailer, the damage they can cause is unthinkable.
Other items, such as toothpaste, shaving cream and sunscreen, can freeze over the winter, causing the containers to crack and rupture, creating a huge mess.
Empty everything out of your fridge and freezer and make sure to wipe them down with a cleaner. Put a box of baking soda in both to absorb any remaining odors. Make sure to keep the doors propped open to prevent any mold or mildew.
Any water left in your pipes and water lines can freeze over the winter, causing all of them to crack. Come spring, this could ruin your entire camping season. Besides the very costly repairs you will have to make, it could take months for all the repairs to be completed.
Drain all the water and make sure to run antifreeze through all pipes for added protection. Make sure to pour antifreeze down all drains, as well as toilets.
Not removing your RV batteries before you store it could be a costly mistake. When batteries freeze, the casing could crack. As batteries are not cheap, it is important to take proper care of them when storing you RV. After removing your batteries, store them in a dry place with minimal temperature fluctuations. With some basic care and maintenance, you can extend the life of your RV batteries and get the most out of your investment.
Not investing in an RV cover may not seem like a big deal. A cover can end up saving you lots of time and money. A proper fitting RV cover can keep it clean and protected from the harmful rays of the sun. It can also prevent any leaks from happening through any seals from around your trailer when it rains or snows.
Forgetting about protecting your tires while in storage is quite common, but they also require some attention when storing your RV.
Long term exposure to the suns rays can cause the rubber to deteriorate and crack. Special tire covers are inexpensive and can be found at most RV dealers.
Make sure to park your RV on a level surface so the weight is evenly distributed.
It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when storing your travel trailer, recreational vehicle or motorhome, but finding the best storage solution for your RV is essential. When looking for RV Storage in St. Albert, find a storage facility that offers appropriate safety and security measures.
At Elite Self Storage St. Albert, formerly Riel Park RV & Mini Storage our RV lot is completely paved and fenced in. With great lighting, security cameras, individual access code entry and nightly security patrols, you can put your mind at ease that your RV is safe and secure. Our storage facility is conveniently located minutes from downtown St. Albert with access to your stored RV from 6 AM to 10 PM, 7 days a week.
Call us today at (780) 459-6435 and talk to one of our storage rental experts.
