[Complete guide] How To Winterize A Travel Trailer For Storage

Winter is on its way. A good time to store your RV until the temperature warms up again in the spring is when the fall foliage starts to turn brown and fall to the ground. Preparing your RV before putting it up for the winter can help protect your investment, according to Art Dack, parts programs manager at RV Care, a dealer network for recreational vehicles.

So here is How To Winterize A Travel Trailer For Storage, ensure the Water System is Drained, inspect the RV exterior to check for damages, Be Sure To Choose A Safe Location to park your RV, Cover Up Your Rv, protect the RV Tires, look out for the RV Battery, Fuel Stabilizer Should Be Included, Avoid Critter Contamination, Verify That Your Stored Rv Is Safe in whatever location you choose.

How To Winterize A Travel Trailer For Storage

The temperature at which water freezes is 32 degrees Fahrenheit, so when you’re done using your RV for the season, Dack recommends executing these pre-storage procedures to guarantee that your RV is road-ready when spring arrives.

The Water System Must Be Drained

And according to Dack, it just might be the most important step in winterizing your RV. Dack warns that if there is any water remaining in the plumbing system, it can freeze and shatter pipes and fittings, resulting in costly repairs.

Winterizing your RV’s plumbing system may be a do-it-yourself project depending on the complexity of the system, he says. The fresh and waste water tanks must be drained, the pipes drained, and nontoxic RV antifreeze pumped through the entire water system. According to Family Motor Coaching, nontoxic RV antifreeze removes water from your plumbing system. Draining the water system should be documented in your owner’s manual.

Instead of spending your valuable time and energy on something you don’t feel comfortable doing, you may have it done by a skilled professional at a well-known service center.

Read Also: How To Winterize An Rv Without Antifreeze [Complete Guide]

Care For The Outside

It’s also possible to have a service center perform a comprehensive inspection of the roof, sidewalls, seams, windows and outside doors, and reseal or re-caulk any holes or cracks. So you can avoid having to pay for pricey repairs in the spring by keeping water out of places it shouldn’t be.

Consult your RV dealer before re-sealing any holes or cracks. According to Dack, it’s critical to pick the proper sealant for your RV and climate. If you use the wrong sealant, your RV may be vulnerable to water damage because the sealer does not completely cure. Re-sealing and draining the water system of your RV may be more pleasant for you if done by a knowledgeable professional.

Be Sure To Choose A Safe Location

If you’re lucky, you can store your RV in a shelter or under a roof for the winter, according to Dack. Nevertheless, he adds, “for some RV owners, that’s simply not practical.” During a wind or ice storm, it’s best to keep your RV out of the path of any falling trees if you’re planning to park it in your driveway or yard.

Winter RV parking on the street may be illegal in some areas, so check your local ordinances first. Parking restrictions for motorhomes may vary from city to city, although many prohibit street parking, says the Family Motor Coach Association.

Cover Up Your Rv

Dack recommends purchasing an RV cover if you want to leave your RV outside all winter. The cover will preserve the paint finish from long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Protecting your car from wind damage, tree sap, and bird droppings is also a benefit of this product.

There is no need to use a plastic tarp, because it will trap moisture between the RV and the tarp, according to the author. Additionally, a tarp’s tendency to flutter around in the wind can cause harm to any nearby surfaces.

Instead, Dack recommends purchasing a cover tailored to your RV and the temperature where you live. According to Family Motor Coaching magazine, universal or custom-designed coverings contain a system of straps to keep your RV wrapped up tight. You can also enter the RV through the zippered ports if necessary.

As Dack suggests, “Follow the manufacturer’s directions for placing the cover on” Make sure it’s tightly fastened so that water and wind can’t get in.

Read Also: How To Winterize A Travel Trailer For Storage [Complete guide]

Guard Your Tires.

When exposed to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays (UVR), tires can be damaged. Tire covers, which you can typically find at an RV shop, are an easy way to keep your wheels safe. It’s important to remember that not all RV coverings are meant to protect the RV’s body and tires, Dack explains. Properly fitted tire covers are likely to keep your tires safe throughout the winter.

The Family Motor Coaching magazine recommends that all tires be inflated to their recommended levels prior to storing them. To ensure that your RV’s tires are properly inflated before you take it out on the road again, check the tires and re-inflate them.

Read Also: How To Winterize A Travel Trailer With Antifreeze [Full Guide]

Preserve Your Battery Life.

KOA.com suggests removing the batteries and storing them in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight. Temperature-controlled storage decreases the loss of battery charge. For best results, Dack advises checking the charge every four to six weeks and charging the batteries as needed to keep them completely charged. According to KOA.com, a partially charged battery is more likely to freeze up than one that is fully charged. Batteries can be damaged or even destroyed by freezing.

Fuel Stabilizer Should Be Included.

The Wall Street Journal reports that gas can degrade with time, resulting in resin deposits. Dack warns that these sticky deposits, which are the result of oxidation, might damage an engine. As a result, RoadandTrack.com recommends using a gasoline stabilizer, which prevents deposits from accumulating.

According to KOA.com, you should first add the stabilizer per the product’s package directions, and then finish filling the tank with gas. Once you’ve started the engine and generator, follow the guidelines on the stabilizer bottle and let them run for the recommended amount of time (5 to 10 minutes), so that the stabilizer can work its way through the complete fuel system. To prevent corrosion, KOA.com recommends changing the engine and generator’s oil, as well as the oil filter, prior to storing.

Avoid Critter Contamination

According to the Family Motor Coach Association, mice and squirrels prefer wintering in RVs, where they may eat through wiring, plastic, and rubber components. Removing all sources of attraction will deter rodents. Remove any food from the RV and clean it well, advises Dack, before putting it back together.

KOA recommends that you place mouse and ant traps about your RV. As a final precaution, keep an eye out for places where rodents can enter. The underbelly of your RV can be inspected by your RV dealer or service provider, and any holes or cracks can be sealed. Rodents prefer to climb into the RV’s electrical power wire, which runs through the wall, he says. As a result, unplug the cable, disconnect the RV, and ensure the cable hatch is securely closed.

Read Also: How To Winterize A Travel Trailer/RV [Complete Guide]

Verify That Your Stored Rv Is Safe

While your RV is in storage, Dack recommends conducting a short inspection every few weeks. Make sure there are no leaks or scents from the outside. “If you see any issues with your RV, don’t wait until spring to get it fixed; the damage will only become worse.”

During The Winter, Should I Remove The Batteries From My Rv?

Yes. During very hard winters, it’s usually a good idea to remove all of your batteries completely. Before putting them away, make sure they’re fully charged and in a dry, warm place like a shed or garage.

Should You Leave Your Leveling Jacks Down In The Winter?

You should utilize your stabilizer jacks whenever you’re camping in your camp trailer, and you may keep them up whether you’re storing your camp trailer between excursions or during the off-season.

How Should I Store My Rv’s Battery?

In order to avoid battery drain while in storage, it is important to disconnect the RV’s battery. This keeps the battery’s charge intact. Leaving a battery to drain while in storage will cause it to degrade and lose its ability to hold a charge.

Does Rv Need To Be Level When Stored?

As much as feasible, the RV should be positioned level. The fuel tank should be placed near the lower end of the vehicle if there is a slope.

Does My Rv Battery Need To Be Trickle-Charged?

Battery sulfation is the term for this. Your battery will be permanently damaged and you will have to buy a new one if you continue to use it at this level. Your RV battery’s overall health depends on it being trickle-charged appropriately while it’s in storage.

In Cold Weather, How Do You Keep Your Rv’s Batteries Warm?

Your battery bank will survive longer in cold weather if you use a heated battery or battery warming pad. To keep your batteries working within their recommended temperature range, you can use either an electric or a battery warming pad.

Conclusion

To guarantee that your RV is ready to take the road in the spring, follow these nine steps.

 


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