Tips to Ensure Your RV is Well Protected

Storage


Brennen Durka
April 18th, 2022


Have you recently bought a new RV or are you thinking of getting one? The popularity of RV travel is growing. Recently, 68% of people stated they feel safer traveling by RV than by plane.

While the RV lifestyle adds convenience to road trips, there are special considerations for storing your unit when not in use. Harsh weather conditions and sitting for months at a time will damage your RV. Optimize RV storage to keep your investment in tip-top shape!

Follow these steps for RV storage to keep your 'home away from home' in great condition over the winter season.

Why RV Storage Is Important

Most RV users want to use their vehicle during the prime nice weather months. This means they need to provide motorhome storage for at least six months of the year. Not everyone has a large enough driveway for RV safekeeping.

Finding a reputable storage facility that specializes in mobile home storage is essential for keeping your RV protected. While some RVers might scoff at the idea of paying for storage space during the off-season, the cost is worth it. A secured and gated storage facility ensures no one can get into your RV while you're not using it.

For the best RV safekeeping, you need to get prepared for the weather in your region. In areas that experience heavy rain, it's best to keep your RV parked under a cover. Some facilities offer canopy parking, or you can purchase overhead shelters designed for RV use.

RV Off-Season: General Storage Tips

Using a carport or overhead canopy is the number one tip for RV storage because it keeps water and sunlight from directly hitting the exterior of the vehicle. Even if you follow these next steps perfectly, adding a canopy as the first layer of protection will extend the life of your RV. But, let's dive into the top five general storage tips for your motor home!

1. Drain the Plumbing

Just like your house, the plumbing in your RV requires winterizing to survive the elements. If you live in a climate that experiences snow, hail, or freezing temperatures, dealing with the plumbing is important. Even climates that don't get to freezing levels require draining the water system before a period of storage.

Water expands when it freezes. If you have left water sitting in pipes or tanks in your RV, it can cause pipes to break open during winter. The cost of replumbing an RV is expensive.

Take the time to ensure your plumbing system is clean and drained before putting the RV into storage. For an extra safety measure, you can put antifreeze into the system. Be sure to use proper RV antifreeze, not the same stuff that goes in your car.

It's still important to drain the plumbing in hot weather climates. Flushing gray water and black tanks with bacterial treatment are important for safe hygiene.

2. Inspect the Seals

While you're taking care of the unit's plumbing, take the time to clean and wax your RV's exterior. This removes dirt and grit that erodes the RV's surface. Waxing provides a protecting seal on the surface of the paint.

After your unit is fully cleaned, take the time to inspect the window, door, and piping seals. All silicone seam or rubber seals must be in good condition to prevent humidity or moisture from seeping into your RV.

It's recommended to caulk your RV twice a year before putting it away in storage or hitting the road. If moisture gets into the vehicle during the dormant season, it can create invasive mold and mildew.

3. Prevent Pests

Insects and rodents think motorhome storage is their ideal new home. This is another reason why ensuring the seals are all in great condition is so important. Take the time to plug up the pipes with steel wool so rats can't chew through it.

Put rubber plugs in all sinks and make sure to put the toilet seat down in case something manages to climb through the pipe. Inside the unit, store mothballs in closets to discourage insects. If roaches or ants are a pest in your area, sprinkle insect repellent powder around the tires or anywhere the RV makes contact with the ground.

Make sure your RV storage is away from the trees. Pests, like ants and squirrels, use trees to get into the roof of an RV.

4. Prevent Odors

All perishable items must be removed from the RV before putting it into storage. This means cleaning out all pantry cupboards and the refrigerator. Wiping out all shelving and storage with disinfectant makes sure there are no crumbs left out for pests to get drawn to.

RVs get musty if left for long periods, so keep the cupboards and fridge doors open. This helps prevent unwanted smells. Leaving a dish of clean kitty litter or baking soda in the RV is recommended to absorb unwanted, stale smells.

5. Disconnect the Battery

The last step for RV safekeeping is disconnecting the battery. The battery keeps all the appliances working properly. Some RVs have a battery switch while others require manual disconnection.

If the battery is not disconnected, it gets drained during storage. Even if the unit isn't in full use, just being connected to the appliances and the engine cause the battery to draw a charge. By disconnecting it, you preserve the longevity for when you're ready to use it again!

Find the Ideal Motorhome Storage

Before any of these steps get done, you need to find the best place to store your recreational vehicle. GreenFill Storage specializes in RV safekeeping and has locations in both Arkansas and Texas for RV storage.

For more information on how to properly care for your recreational vehicle, reach out to the storage experts. Contact GreenFill today to secure all your storage needs!

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