The Ultimate Guide to Storing Your RV

Storing your recreational vehicle (RV) properly is crucial for maintaining its condition and ensuring it remains in top condition for your next adventure. There are several essential steps and precautions you should take to protect your RV. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you.

Preparing Your RV for Storage

Before you store your RV, there are several preparatory steps you need to take. These steps include:

Unplugging and Disconnecting: Ensure all electronic devices and batteries are unplugged if you plan to store your RV for more than a month. This prevents any unnecessary drainage or damage. Securing the Tires: Cover the tires with UV-proof cloth bags or covers to prevent dry rot. This helps preserve the integrity of your RV's tires. Shutting Off Propane: Turn off all propane valves to prevent gas leaks and ensure safety.

These preparations are essential to ensure your RV is ready for safer and longer storage.

Choosing the Right Storage Space

The location where you store your RV is as important as the steps you take in preparation. Here are some recommendations:

Indoor Garage: The best practice is to store your RV in an indoor garage. This protects it from direct sunlight, rain, and snow, which can significantly degrade its condition. Shelter or Cover: If an indoor garage is not an option, opt for a shelter or cover to protect the paint from fading and the tires from direct sunlight. This can extend the life of your RV.

Proper storage can make a significant difference in your RV's longevity.

Winterizing Your RV

If you store your RV in temperatures below freezing, it's critical to follow the manufacturer's instructions for winterizing. This typically involves:

Draining Water Tanks: Empty all water tanks and blow out the plumbing and water heater to prevent freezing. Using Pink RV Antifreeze: After operating the water heater's bypass valve, pump pink RV antifreeze into the pipes and drain traps to prevent damage from frozen pipes.

Winterizing your RV is essential to prevent damage from freezing temperatures.

Maintaining Batteries and Fuel

Maintaining your RV's batteries and fuel is equally important. Here’s how:

Battery Maintenance: Keep your RV plugged in to maintain the battery charge. If this is not possible, use a solar battery maintainer. Fuel Stabilization: If your RV is a motorhome, add a couple of ounces of fuel stabilizer for every 5 gallons of fuel before filling up the tank. A full tank of fuel reduces oxidative damage and keeps the fuel fresh for up to a year.

Detailed maintenance tips can help ensure your RV remains in excellent condition year-round.

Expert Recommendations

For more specific advice, consider these recommendations we followed:

Garaging: Our RV remained plugged in during storage to keep the battery charge stable. We also kept the refrigerator on and took a trip about once a month to maintain the internal environment. Shelter Construction: We purchased weatherproof material and poles from Amazon to create a shelter for our RV if an indoor garage wasn't available. Cover for Tires: We covered our tires with UV-proof covers to prevent dry rot and maintain tire integrity.

By following these guidelines, your RV will withstand the ravages of time and weather, ensuring it remains a reliable and enjoyable travel companion.