The cold weather is upon us, and for RV owners, this comes with a slew of considerations and to-do lists! In order to ensure that you can continue to get the best out of your RV during the warmer months, you are going to want to make sure that you are investing in the proper RV storage.
Why Store Your RV in the Winter?
If you own an RV, chances are that you have a blast exploring North America with your family on the regular. While this is a dream come true for many, it can be admittedly hard to explore the majority of the continent during the cooler months.
8 Tips To Prepare Your RV For Winter Storage
Your RV is likely one of your most — if not your most — prized possessions. Because of this, you will want to make sure that you prepare it to the best of your abilities for a long winter in storage. Even if you are choosing a professional storage service that you trust (and you should be), you will still want to make sure that you do everything on your end to set your trailer up for a good winter.
1. Clean Your RV On the Inside And the Outside
Have you ever gone on vacation only to return home to a messy home or a messy car? Much like this is an unpleasant experience for a traveller, starting the warm seasons off with a dirty RV is similar. Taking the time to prep your RV for long storage by doing a deep clean of the inside and outside is a great way to ensure a smooth start-up on the other side of the winter. It wouldn’t hurt to give the outside of your vehicle a wax, either!
2. Open Your Rooftop Vents
In order to allow for the best degree of airflow when your RV is in storage, you will want to make sure that your rooftop vents are open a crack. Failing to do so could result in a musty smell come springtime.
3. Inflate Your Tires
As your tires are about to spend a long time in stagnation, it’s always a good idea to fill them with the maximum amount of air before putting your RV away. It’s a good idea to give your tires a deep cleaning, too, while you’re at it.
4. Place Plywood Under Your Tire
If the ground of your place of storage is not flat enough underneath the tires, you will want to make it flat by putting even pieces of floorboards underneath the tires. This will not only help prevent the possibility of your tires being punctured but will also help your tires not pick up the oils from the asphalt that could weaken their performance.
5. Cover your RV
Even if your RV is going to be kept in an indoor environment, it’s still not a bad idea to give it some coverage in the form of a tarp. Make sure you are using a fabric that is breathable enough to prevent the build-up of mould and mildew.
6. Remove Any Food Residue
It’s common to use your RV for cooking and snacking during the months you have it in use, but don’t forget to remove these food items before you close up your RV for the season. Failing to do so could attract unwanted pests.
7. Remove All Fuses
If you are not using your RV, you do not need to keep the fuses intact. If you leave them running, they could lead to a faster battery drain. You may also turn off your RV’s gas valve for the winter months.
8. Remove the Batteries of Your RV
This one is important — if you forget to remove your batteries, they may otherwise freeze. Make sure that you take your RV’s batteries out before storing it, and keep the battery instead of in a climate-controlled, dry place.
Safe and Secure RV Storage in Vancouver
If you are looking for a reputable storage facility for your RV, look no further than Annacis Lockup. As a trusted professional storage facility in the Metro Vancouver area, we are well-versed in the particular requirements that come along with storing large personal property such as RVs or trailers. For your peace-of-mind, we offer nightly patrols, an on-site resident manager, and of course 23/7 surveillance.
We also have a series of in-ground motion sensors all over our facility and require that every stored RV has a wireless sensor inside of the unit. Our RV storage facility is open seven days a week so that you don’t ever have to worry about whether or not you can gain access to your RV. Get in touch today to learn more about our competitive rates!