Preparing Your RV for Winter

There are a number of tasks you should be sure to remember as your winterize your RV for winter.

If you are storing your RV in a below freezing climate, then your number one most important task is to protect your RV's plumbing from frost damage.  To do this you need to:

-empty water tanks
-drain your water heater
-drain your water pipes
-fill your water pipes with RV antifreeze or blow out all remaining water with an air compressor (be sure to only use RV antifreeze in your water pipes and tanks!)

To protect your battery, you should remove it from your RV and store it somewhere where it will not freeze.

Don't forget your refrigerator.  You should clean out the food, give the inside of the fridge a wipe down, and prop open the door. Don't forget to disconnect the ice cube maker if you have one!

Other things to remember:
-close all gas valves
-retract slideouts and awnings
-close windows and vents

It is best to store your motorhome for the winter with a full gas tank.  This will prevent condensation from forming in the tank.

Another concern is the build-up of moisture inside of your RV during the winter storage period.  To prevent this, you can leave a couple windows slightly ajar for air flow if you are storing your RV inside a garage.  Keeping a 40 watt lightbulb on inside of the RV is another idea that provides enough heat to prevent mildew.  There are also chemical absorbents you can use.  These normally come in plastic containers, and when you remove their lid, they work just as silica gel does, by removing the moisture from the air.

Other suggestions are parking your RV on a bit of a tilt to allow water and melting snow to drain off the roof, park on boards rather than sinking into the spring mud, washing and coating the exterior of your RV with a good coat of wax, covering your RV with a tarp, and making double sure there are no ways for rodents to take over your RV for the season!

Links:
Preparing your RV for Winter Storage - http://www.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/skp/winterizing.htm
Winterizing Your RV - http://www.rvsecrets.com/winterize.htm
Winterizing Your RV - http://www.gonecamping.net/stories/winterize.html

Submitted by Lisa - Sunday, September 25, 2005 23:37:36

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