Winterizing and Storing an RV for the Offseason [Quick Tips]

Fall has arrived, bringing cooler temps, falling leaves, and a choice for all RVers. While some choose to say, “Winter be damned,” and continue to be road warriors throughout the year, others will decide to take a break from traveling.

For those taking the winter months off, the chore of winterizing the rig and ensuring it remains in good shape until spring can seem a bit overwhelming.

The following tips will help you winterize your RV and create a monthly routine to keep your RV in proper working condition throughout the winter.

Pro tip: Add a reminder to your phone’s calendar to keep you on track. It will help you count down the days until spring departures begin.

Quick Tips on Winterizing an RV

Here’s a brief outline of steps to winterize an RV:

Drain the holding tanks, flush with water, then sanitize the tanks. Since the process varies from model to model, be sure to reference the owner’s manual for precise directions.
Blow out water lines, then add antifreeze to the plumbing system.
Seal doors and windows.
Cover the tires and the roof if storing in an uncovered space.
Remove all food and valuable items. Remove hand soap, deodorant, and other hygiene products as their scent can draw unwanted attention from rodents and bugs.
Disconnect RV batteries.
Keep drawers and cabinet doors open for air circulation. Circulation will help prevent mildew and mold growth.

Pro tip: Charge your RV’s batteries before disconnecting and storing.

Monthly Maintenance

Once the full winterization process has been completed, all that is left is a routine check on the RV and all components within the rig. Checking all the major areas of the RV each month while it is stored for the winter will help ensure an easy and inexpensive spring cleaning.

Checking and Rechecking Your Hard Work

During the winterization process, you made sure all windows and doors were sealed properly. While stored throughout the winter months, checking and then double-checking your handy work is a good idea. Checking the window and door seals is quite important, so catching an issue earlier rather than later will save you time and money. Wipe down the cabinets, quickly sweep the floor before leaving, and ensure everything is in order.

Rebuke Rodents

Field mice and rats can wreak havoc throughout an RV. Since the scent of food and hygiene products can attract these unwanted critters, the best way to prevent an infestation is to remove all food and daily-use products. Even with that preventive measure, chances are still great they will enter for shelter.

Suggestions to help keep rodents from entering your RV include:

Wipe down kitchen cabinets and fridge regularly (probably each month).
Use natural deterrents such as mothballs, peppermint spray (great for spiders, too) or ultrasonic products.
Consider a product such as Grandpa Gus’s extra-strength repellent pouches.
Store the RV on a concrete surface.
Place lights under the RV.

Keep Your Big Wheels Turning

While fully inflating tires before storing is suggested, checking air pressure and avoiding adding excess weight to the RV throughout the storage period is also recommended. Some also recommend moving the RV forward slightly every couple of months to prevent ‘flat spotting’ the tires. Additionally, if possible, remove all weight from the tires by lifting the RV up off the ground with jack stands or lift blocks.

While it has been suggested to park on concrete as a method of rodent prevention, if you go that route, there is an extra step to help protect your tires. The downside of parking on a concrete drive or slab is that it can damage your tires. A way to counter the potential wear and tear concrete can cause is to place plywood under each tire when parking for the season.

Maintain Fresh Batteries

While the RV batteries are stored in a dry, cool place, they shouldn’t be overlooked during the winter. On your monthly checklist, be sure to include checking the charge level of the batteries, ensuring they maintain the recommended charging level. Checking the charge will help ensure a long lifespan. If the power level is less than the maximum, be sure to charge to full before re-storing.

Checking the batteries in the smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors is also a good idea. This process doubles as a way to ensure the products are still in proper working order. Although this step is technically something that belongs in your spring cleaning process, checking more frequently won’t hurt.

Tips for Storing an RV

Storing your RV in an interior RV garage or under an awning or storage shelter is the best option. Whether inside a rented RV storage building, your own RV-covered carport, or an RV garage bay, storing your rig under some sort of shelter is ideal. Protecting it from harsh temperatures, snow and ice, and sunlight damage is important and can help extend the life of the RV and tires.

If storing the RV under a roof or inside a garage, there are some other steps to take in order to protect the RV and tires. Placing tire covers on will protect the tires from UV ray damage from the sun and potential tire rot from excessive rain, snow, and ice. Remember, if parking on a concrete slab, place plywood under the tires for extra protection.

Purchasing and installing an RV cover will protect the interior of the rig from condensation damage. The cover will also protect the window seals, helping prevent dry rot and thaw/freeze cycles.

Pro tip: Check your owner’s manuals before covering the exterior of your RV. Some manufacturers, like Airstream, don’t recommend covering your trailer or motorhome.

Spring-Ready RVs

Being off the road during the cold winter months can be a difficult time when the road trip withdraws begin to soak in. But, by putting the work into winterizing your rig and doing monthly checks on the highlighted areas outlined above, your RV will be ready to hit the road as soon as spring begins blooming.