When it comes to RV storage, the best thing to do to avoid
missing any steps is to make a checklist. Start with utilities like
turning off heat, electricity and AC circuit breakers. Here are a few tips to get you started:
1. Inspect and unplug electrical devices and the battery. Your RV
storage checklist should also include inspecting all devices that could
drain the battery if you forget to turn them off, including alarms, shut-
off valves, TV antenna boosters and any other plug-in electrical
element inside the RV. To be extra safe, disconnect the negative cable
on your battery. If you're storing your RV during the winter and your
area experiences freezing temperatures, it's best to remove your
battery entirely and store it in a room-temperature place.
2. Clean out your water tanks. Clean-out jobs for RV storage should
cover sewage tanks and water tanks. Empty both the wastewater and
the freshwater tanks at a dump station before storing the RV. Also
empty toilets and the water heater. One recommended way of cleaning
out your tanks is to fill them with a mixture of water and baking soda
or bleach, then drive your RV around for a short period of time so that
the liquid sloshes around, cleaning out your tanks. Make sure to empty
the tanks immediately afterwards.
3. Dry out your pipes. After your tanks have been cleaned out, it's time
to attend to your pipes. This is particularly important if you're storing
your RV during the winter, when water can freeze and expand,
bursting your pipes. It's impossible to completely dry out your pipes,
but one way of expelling as much moisture as possible is to send
compressed air through the system. Consult your owner's manual or
an RV mechanic before doing so, as compressed air can damage some
plumbing systems. Otherwise, your safest bet is to add antifreeze to
the system in sufficient amounts to ensure that all pipes have been
treated. Don't forget to pour a little antifreeze down every drain and
toilet in your RV as well.
4. Close off the gas tank. Propane tanks should be topped off and gas
supplies shut off. Remove propane tanks if possible and store them
somewhere cool and dry, like a basement. Turn off any appliances that
use gas (stoves, ovens, furnaces, water heaters).
5. Take care of the engine. Change or top off your oil, radiator,
windshield wiper fluid and brake fluid. Add antifreeze to the radiator.
Fill up your gas tank, adding the appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer
along the way. Filling your tank will prevent moisture from building
up in your tank and corroding the material, while the stabilizer will
make sure the fuel doesn't break down. Run the engine for a few
minutes so that the stabilizer can spread.
6. Take off the tires. When your RV rests on the same spot on its tires
for a long period of time, its tires can develop flat spots that will ruin
them. Cold temperatures can exacerbate this issue. This isn't much of
a problem if you're able to take your RV out and drive every few
weeks, but if you aren't, removing your tires and setting the RV up on
jacks or blocks will extend the life of your tires. If you decide not to
remove your tires, make sure to put chocks around the wheels. Don't
engage the emergency brake, as it can fuse with the rotors over time.
7. Take care of the roof. If you're storing the RV in an uncovered
space, a leaky roof could damage the interior and prevent you from
getting back on the road when the time comes. Ensure that you've
closed and sealed the roof vents, and make sure you don't need roof-
sealing maintenance. Using mesh screens on the inside of vents and
covering them up with cardboard can prevent squirrels, birds and bugs
from entering. It's best to have your roof inspected once per year to
keep it in good shape, so get into the routine of doing this before you
store for the winter. Minor cracks and exposed seams can be covered
with a good outdoor sealer.
8. Clean it out. Empty and unplug your refrigerator, then leave the
door open with a bucket underneath so that the ice in your freezer
thaws. Thoroughly clean the RV of any food or crumbs. Take any
perishables out of your vehicle. It's even a good idea to spray ant killer
or leave ant traps inside the RV. Lubricate the hinges on all doors.
9. Cover it up. Get an RV cover to protect your RV from dust, sun
damage, hail, birds and other animals. Don't just rely on a cover to
protect you from water damage if the roof needs repair. Reseal the
roof or find a covered storage space to prevent serious damage.
