If you aren’t going to use your RV over the winter, you will need to prepare your rig for long-term storage. You can’t simply park your RV in your garage, leave it unattended for several weeks, and expect it to work well when you are ready to travel again. Below, we cover key steps to take when preparing your RV for winter storage. If you want more tips or want to check out RVs for sale, head over to Chattanooga Fish-N-Fun LLC. Our dealership is located in Hixson, TN.

Clean Out the Interior

Your first step is cleaning out the inside of your RV. It’s amazing how many odds and ends can accumulate inside during your various travels, from the random stuffed animal to a half-eaten box of crackers. Clearing everything out helps prevent your RV from getting more and more cluttered every year. It also helps you do an inventory of what items you actually need and what items you never ended up using. Try to only keep your RV filled with the essentials so you aren’t bringing extra weight around on your travels.

Protect Against Pests

During the winter, your RV becomes an appealing place for pests to set up shop. There are plenty of dark, secure nooks and crannies they can settle into as they hide from cold weather and predators. Pests can be more than a nuisance. They can cause damage to your RV, which can result in expensive repairs. You’ll want to do what you can to prevent pests from entering your RV. Search your rig for any gaps and cracks that pests could use to enter, and be sure to fill them with expandable foam or silicone sealant.

Take Out Batteries

Your RV likely has a variety of batteries scattered about in its many small devices. If the batteries get wet during their time in storage, it can result in corrosion and even damage the device. It’s also wise to remove the batteries because it will keep them from draining energy.

Prepare Your Fridge

You will want to power down your fridge to avoid it draining power and adding to your energy bill. Start by removing all the food items inside. Next, you will want to defrost the fridge. Remember that all that water needs to go somewhere, so lay down towels to soak up that water. You can leave the doors open to help speed this process up.

Tend to the Tires

RV tires can end up with flat spots if they aren’t being used or rotated enough. One easy strategy is to elevate your RV to get the tires off the ground. If you can’t do this, then move your RV about half a tire revolution three times over the winter. 

Wash Your RV

Finally, you will want to give your RV a thorough wash. Sure, no one is going to see your rig in storage. But the gunk and grime left on your RV exterior can cause damage if left on it too long, so you will want to clear it away.

We hope you found this guide helpful! For all your RV needs, visit Chattanooga Fish-N-Fun LLC. We offer covered RV storage and expert RV services in Hixson, TN.