The cost to buy an RV can range anywhere from $10,000 to $300,000, depending on the styles and features you select. Because an RV is such an expensive investment, it is essential that you learn to properly maintain it to extend its lifespan.
One important aspect of RV maintenance is RV winterization. Winterizing RVs is necessary to keep them running smoothly, protect them from the elements, and prevent unnecessary repairs.
Do you want to learn more about how to winterize RVs? Keep reading this guide for the top tips to follow when winterizing an RV.
Protect the Plumbing
Protecting your plumbing system is one of the most important things you must do when winterizing your RV. Because there are so many different water systems in the RV, leaving water in the system can lead to frozen or broken pipes.
To prevent this, you must first drain all the existing water from your RV. This includes draining holding tanks, water heaters, and drain lines.
Once the water has been drained, you can add RV antifreeze to the water pump of your RV. This will allow the antifreeze to go through your entire system and will protect your pipes.
Don’t Forget the Interior
Next, you should finish winterizing the interior of your RV. This includes doing a thorough deep-clean of your RV and winterizing the appliances inside! Not only will this help you prevent rodents and other pests, but it will ensure that your RV is ready for use when the winter is over.
During this step, you must take care of all of your appliances. Thoroughly clean off each of your appliances and make sure they are all unplugged and covered to protect them from dust and other debris.
You should also ensure that there is no standing water left inside any appliances, like a fridge or ice maker.
Make Exterior Repairs
After the interior has been winterized, you can move on to exterior RV winterization. One of the most important steps you must take is to inspect the exterior and make necessary repairs.
Otherwise, the issues with the exterior of your RV may worsen over the winter as they are exposed to the elements.
Make sure you check the roof for leaks and make repairs as needed. You can also inspect the exterior of your RV for rust and make sure that every entrance to your RV is sealed properly.
This includes closing roof vents, removing awnings, and sealing or caulking gaps in the doors or window seals.
Pest-Proof Your RV
When you haven’t used your RV in a while, it makes it a perfect place for different types of pests to stay warm for the winter. To keep insects and rodents out of your RV, you should find ways to pest-proof your RV for the winter.
There are a few easy steps you can take. First, you must make sure that you don’t leave any food in your RV during the winter. Not only will this attract many different pests, but it will also leave a terrible odor in your RV.
Next, you need to cover any openings in your RV. This includes vents, pipes, and even the exhaust of your RV. Pest-proofing your RV will prevent pests from doing serious damage to the mechanical system of your RV and will keep your RV clean during the winter.
Protect the Tires
Even if you are not driving on your tires, tires can go through a lot of wear and tear during the winter. Because of this, you must find ways to protect your tires.
One thing you can do is put your wheels on blocks. If they are left sitting on the concrete throughout the winter, the weight of the RV can cause splat spots in your tires and can damage your rips.
Using wheel chocks can help you prevent this damage. Parking your RV inside during the winter can also protect your tires from the elements.
Save Your Batteries
To ensure that your RV is ready for use in the spring, you should also protect your batteries when you winterize your RV. If you leave your batteries in your RV, there is a chance that they can freeze and will need to be replaced.
Instead, you should remove your batteries, clean the terminals, and store them in a safe place.
Utilize RV Storage Solutions
Finally, you should consider utilizing an RV storage solution. There are many self-storage companies that provide RV and boat storage, which makes it easy to care for your RV in the winter months.
If you want to keep your RV in a secured location, finding covered RV storage may be the best solution for your needs. This way, your RV will be protected from the harsh winter weather, pests, and even criminals.
In fact, many storage companies provide 24/7 monitoring of their facilities, so you can feel confident that your RV is safe even when you aren’t using it.
Need Help With RV Winterization in Kingston, WA?
As an RV owner, there are many things that you can do to protect your investment and keep your RV in pristine condition for years to come. To protect your RV during the winter and to avoid unnecessary repairs, you should follow each of these RV winterization tips!
Do you need help learning how to winterize RVs? Ideal Storage can help! We provide RV storage solutions to keep your RV secured all winter.
Contact us today to learn about our RV winterizing kit and to rent a storage space.