In Part 2, we continue our advice on best practices to keep to help protect your investments. If you missed Part 1, you can read up on it here: https://passchristianboatrvstorage.com/tips-for-preparing-for-boat-rv-storage-p1/
Protect your RV plumbing system
Water is the worst enemy of your RV during winter storage, so remove it from your tanks and fill them with anti-aging. If you are not confident with this relatively easy procedure, we suggest that you keep your RV in the winter through a local dealer or mobile RV repair service. It only costs a hundred rupees. If you want to do this yourself, make sure you follow the instructions of your dealer or manufacturer, as each RV has different requirements.
Cover your tires
We did not cover our RV tires until a maintenance teacher came into our podcast and explained the importance of this simple and inexpensive precaution. RV tires look healthy to the eye and have excellent gait, but exposure to the sun can cause the rubber to shrink and crack in the atmosphere.
Buy and use a quality RV cover
When we buy our second RV, salesmen recommend not using the cover for the RV in the winter. He suggested that water could accumulate inside the cover and cause damage. I didn’t really want to spend the extra money so I listened to their advice and it came cheap. I regret that decision. The front cap of our RV is well worn and looks a lot older than it actually was. In case of water accumulation inside the cover, the problem can be easily avoided by moving the cover occasionally in winter.
Exterior cleaning
Wash time! Make sure debris such as leaves, soil, tree sap or bird droppings are removed from the surface of your vehicle. Leaving them there will cause the paint to deteriorate, rust and corrode and eventually weaken the body. Speaking of rust, check the locks on the doors and spray them with anti-rust treatment so that they do not get stuck when you store it.
Inspect the sides as well as the hinges, windows, doors and roof of the vehicle to see any cracks in the water. It is a well-known fact that leaking ceilings and walls are a big headache, and repairing water damage can be very expensive. For this, prevention is really important. If necessary, close the problem areas again.
Also clean the interiors
It is important to remove all perishable items from refrigerators and cabinets. Clean carpets, tables, chairs, and countertops from any debris or leftovers. Use an all-purpose cleaning solution on non-porous surfaces to get rid of viruses and bacteria. For smooth surfaces such as carpets, seats and curtains, vacuuming can help prevent the spread of germs such as dust mites and mold and fungi. Do not forget the electronics! Switch off and unplug any device. Unplug the refrigerator, wipe dry, and place it on the door to take it out. For the series hood, double-check the valves and regulators of the propane tank and close them tightly.
Water system maintenance and tank holding
During the colder months, people often park RVs and boats in garages and storage facilities. For RV owners, frozen waterways are often a curse to their survival. Extreme temperatures harden residual water or liquid in tanks and pipes, which can become brittle, crack, and eventually break.
To prevent this from happening, experts recommend that owners dismantle the water system before it goes into storage. Stagnant water allows germs to grow, which can damage filters and pipes. You should also empty and clean the holding tanks. If you want to have long-term storage in the winter, it can be treated with antifreeze designed specifically to protect water systems and tanks.
Be sure to keep outsiders out
An upright RV or boat trailer is a hot spot to get insects out of extreme conditions like rats, cockroaches, ants and birds! Many troubled RV owners return to their vehicles after a long storage to search for animals and insects obtained through numerous cracks and crevices. Since this is not enough to build a small house, these critters also enjoy fine wires, rubber lining and other plastic parts.
In addition to thoroughly cleaning the interior, adopt pest control measures such as mouse trap. You may want to spray the bottom of seats, tables and cabinets with Roach repellent. People who do not know what kind of pest control products to buy for RVs and boats often take the advice of exterminators on this matter. Most importantly, close any openings where organisms can enter. Make sure the windows are tightly closed. Range vents and furnaces can cause air vents, as well as intake temp.