Winter is on the horizon, which means that the freezing temperatures and icy mountain roads will make RV travel dangerous. As it gets colder, it’s time to start preparing your camper for storage. But you can’t just put it in the garage and call it a day. You’ll need to prepare your rig in such a way that it remains in pristine condition during the off-season. We have created this brief guide to RV winterization to help you get started. If you need additional advice, stop by Meridian RV in Port Coquitlam and 100 Mile House, British Columbia, and let us know how we can help you.
Clean the Interior
Take the time to thoroughly clean the inside of your RV before you store it. Remove anything that you know you won’t want to leave in your camper, including electronics, clothing, hiking gear, jewelry, and fishing gear. Then, go through each room and remove blankets, linens, curtains, and towels, which will need to be laundered so they’re ready for the next season.
Empty the fridge and cabinets of all perishable foods, then wipe down spills and sweep up crumbs to prevent pest infestation. Defrost your fridge after you power it down and lay down some towels to soak the water as it drains.
Sweep and vacuum all floors, and make sure that your safety gear and emergency supplies are replenished. Wipe the whole bathroom down, clean the toilet and make sure it’s dry to prevent mold. Get your RV as clean as you can now so that you have less to do before you hit the road for your next adventure.
Wash the Exterior
Once you’re finished inside, it’s time to go outside and thoroughly wash the exterior of your RV from top to bottom. Sweep off debris and leaves and wash the roof, using whatever supplies are recommended in your owner’s manual. Then, take a telescoping brush, some car-wash soap and a bucket of water to the sides of your RV. You can use a pressure washer to rinse the vehicle quickly.
Once your RV is clean and dry, you can apply a protective wax to the exterior for a nice shine. This is a great time to test and lubricate your windows, doors, and slide-outs so that they all open and close smoothly.
Tires
While winterizing your RV, it’s helpful to elevate your rig to remove the vehicle’s weight from the tires. This will prevent flats and prolong the life of the tires. If you leave too much pressure on one spot for too long, it can start to wear them down. Another option is to move the camper half of a tire rotation every month or so. Consider which option is the easiest for you and stick to it so you don’t have four tires to replace come spring.
Find Secure Storage
After your RV is ready for storage, you’ll need to find the right spot. Ideally, this should be an enclosed area, like a lockable barn or garage, but it might not be feasible for everyone. We recommend investing in a snug-fitting cover for your RV so that it’s sheltered from dust, debris, water, and pests. Don’t store your RV by parking it on the street, since vehicles that are left on the road can be considered illegally parked. Your driveway is also prone to theft. If you don’t have a space that fits the bill, you might want to consider renting out space in a special RV storage facility.
We hope this guide to winterizing your RV has come in handy. If you have additional questions or if you’d like to browse our campers for sale, stop by and see us at Meridian RV in Port Coquitlam and 100 Mile House, BC. We proudly serve our customers from Vancouver and Kamloops, BC.
