Tomorrow we will welcome the first day of fall, which means winter won’t be far behind. While there are many great places to go RVing even in the cooler winter months, it is a seasonal activity for many people. If you are one of those people it’s time to start thinking about storing your RV. That sounds like a simple task, but if you aren’t careful you could come back to an RV full of mold, mildew, pests, and rodents. These RV storage tips can help you have a good experience and an RV that is ready to go again next spring:
Give it a Deep Cleaning Inside and Out
Take the time to give your RV a detailed wash and wax of the exterior. And, don’t forget to clean off the roof of the RV. Many people are disappointed when they come back to pick up their RV only to find blacks streaks running down the sides. This is usually a result of the dirt that is on the roof from traveling.
Thoroughly clean out the interior of the RV as well. You will want to remove all food items and anything that rodents could use as nesting items if they were to get into your RV. Give each area in the RV a detailed clean before you put it away for the year.
Check the Seals
Leaks in the seals could potentially cause a lot of damage within your RV. Water damage typically occurs when an RV is in storage. Even the smallest of cracks in the seal could lead to big expenses in water damage repair. Look for areas that look cracked or worn and repair or replace them. You want your RV to be sealed up tight from any potential moisture or water.
While you want to keep any moisture from getting in you also want to provide any moisture that is a way to get out. One popular strategy for dealing with this is to leave the roof vents open but to install covers that will keep moisture from getting into them from the exterior. Moisture that cannot escape will cause mold in your RV, which is expensive to remove.
Install Rodent and Insect Screens
The last thing you want to find when you open your RV is signs of insect and/or rodent damage. Mice can cause a huge mess that you do not want to deal with. Install insect and rodent screens to help keep them out of your RV while it is in storage. It is much easier to prevent them from coming in than to get them out after the fact. There are many options for screens for each area that bugs or rodents might access to gain entry to your RV.
Prepare the Electrical and Plumbing
Make sure you address the electrical and plumbing systems. Especially if you will be storing it for more than several weeks at a time. There are many RV storage tips on how to winterize if you will be storing your RV where there is a chance of freezing temperatures. Make sure that your battery is fully charged. And, consider using a battery disconnect switch so you don’t need to worry about a dead battery come spring. This is a great time to clean out all your water tanks and lines to disinfect them. If you are going to be storing during freezing temperatures remove all water or other liquids that could freeze and burst a storage container.
Where to Store Your RV
Most RV owners don’t have a place at their residence to store their RV for months at a time. If you are in need of somewhere to store your’s, here are a few great options:
Ramada Storage
If you are looking for a premier RV storage facility in Paso Robles, look no further than Ramada Storage. Their site is more than secure with keypad entry, enclosed security fencing, 24-hour surveillance video with infra-red lights, photoelectric laser beam technology, check video analytics, and increased lighting along the fence. They offer indoor RV storage and outdoor parking.
Pismo Coast Village RV Resort
Pismo Coast Village RV Resort offers RV storage conveniently located close to the camp resort. The staff at Pismo Coast offers a great option if you want to enjoy your RV from time to time, but need to keep it in storage. They store it for you and will deliver and setup your RV for you at their resort or other campgrounds in the local area. If you want to allow a friend or family member to use your RV you can let the staff know and they will get it set up and ready.
A-AA SBRV Storage
A-AA SBRV Storage is conveniently located in Santa Barbara and is closely located near a diesel station, tire service, RV parts store, and propane supplies. The storage facility is carefully protected. It has security fencing, controlled entry gate with a keypad, surveillance cameras, increased lighting, and sensors, and additional fencing deterrents. They can easily fit your motorhome, 5th wheel, toy hauler, or RV.
And, if you are looking to have your RV serviced before you store it away come on into Sky River RV.
