RV Winterization Tips
When the weather gets colder, it’s time to take extra good care of your RV. Snow, freezing temperatures, and other weather conditions can take a toll on your camper if you don’t take the proper precautions. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of RV winterization tips so your rig will be ready to hit the road as soon as warmer temperatures return.
Keep reading to learn more. If you have any questions, contact us at Minneapolis Trailers in Rogers, Minnesota. We are proud to serve the Twin Cities, so give us a call for all your RV needs!
Clean the Interior
The first step is to clean out the interior of your rig. Remove all personal items and valuables from your trailer. Check over any emergency gear and ensure that it doesn’t need replacing. Empty out and defrost your fridge and place a box of baking soda inside to deodorize it. It’s important to remove any traces of food from your pantry and clean up spills so no pesky pests invade while your camper is stored. Take out the trash and bring out any dirty laundry.
Wash the Exterior
Next, it’s time to wash the outside of your camper to get off all the road grime that could lead to corrosion if not addressed. This is a very important step for winterizing your RV. Use a brush with a telescoping handle to reach those high spots and scrub. If you need a ladder to get to the roof, have someone watch you on the ground. A pressure washer is a great way to speed up this part of the winterization process. You should use a gentle detergent and soft brushes to avoid inflicting any damage on the skin of the unit. If you have the time, we recommend applying a coat of wax.
While you’re washing, inspect the rig for any maintenance concerns that you may want to address before storing your RV. Apply proper lubricant to slide-outs so they don’t dry out over the winter. Don’t forget to lubricate doors and windows too.
Guard Against Invaders
Taking out all of your food doesn’t ensure that no pests will invade during the winter months. Another important step in RV winterization is checking for any holes or cracks that insects and rodents can fit through. You don’t want to take your camper out in the spring only to find that there was an invasion! You’ll want to close any gaps you find with some expandable foam or silicone sealant.
Remove Batteries
Next, it’s time to remove the batteries from all of the small devices around your RV. If these get wet during the winter, they may corrode and damage the devices. Removing the batteries will also keep them from draining energy.
Address Appliances
Another RV winterization task is shutting down and cleaning out all of your appliances. Power down your fridge and lay down some towels to soak up water as it drips out. If your appliances are powered by propane, make sure to unhook the tank.
Tires
Temperature fluctuations can be extremely damaging to your camper’s tires. One way to address this issue is by elevating your RV just enough so the tires are off the ground. If you are unable to elevate your tires as a part of your RV winterization process, you should move your trailer about half a tire revolution two to three times over the winter.
Storing Your RV
Now, it’s finally time to store your RV. It’s best to put your rig in a large, enclosed barn, garage, or covered area. If this doesn’t work for you, you should consider renting out a storage unit to hold your camper. As long as your RV is protected from the elements and potential theft, you’ll be good to go. After all, nobody wants to perform all of these tedious RV winterization tasks only to have no place to store your rig!
We hope these tips were helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Minneapolis Trailers! Located in Rogers, Minnesota we proudly serve the Twin Cities. Give us a call before your next outdoor adventure!