As the temperatures begin to dip, we RV owners need to get our rigs all snug for winter. Whether you tow a trailer or drive a motorized RV, Winterization is a vital component of regular RV upkeep and helps you protect your investment while it’s not in use.
Step One: Clean & Repair
Start on the inside: give your interior a thorough cleaning and remove all food. Rodents spend the winter sniffing out any trace of food. If they are able to get into your RV, they will nest and do interior damage. And that is an unpleasant surprise come spring. The Pacific Northwest is also in the hantavirus zone; for safety, be sure all food is gone.
Then there is your RV’s outside. The camping season puts on a layer of dirt, dried on insect hits and streaky black road grime. Wash and wax your RV, or–
Let Poulsbo RV’s service department do a full detailing of your RV exterior. Plus we can inspect your roof, window and door seals, and the underbelly of your RV for any cracks or holes that need to be resealed or repaired. This is the best time of year to make sure your RV is sound and ready to go on the first day of next year’s camping season!
Step Two: Batteries & Propane
Depending on whether you’re storing your RV in a heated garage or outdoors under cover, you will probably want to remove your propane tanks and your RV battery for safe storage. Keep your batteries in a warm location where you can charge them in the off-season so you’ll be ready for that first camping trip.
If you have one, you will need to run the generator at least once a month under a load. Some house batteries will also need to have their water level checked. Now is a good time to inspect them.
Step Three: Winterize the Plumbing
Protecting your RV’s plumbing system from frigid weather is the primary focus of Winterizing, it includes tasks like bypassing your water heater, opening low-point drains on your RV’s exterior, draining your tanks and using a potable-water-safe antifreeze. If this is going to be a DIY project (as per your owner’s manual directions), making sure you use an RV/Marine anti-freeze is crucial.
At Poulsbo RV, our service techs Winterize RV plumbing as part of our Seasonal Maintenance packages. If trying this on your own seems daunting, we can do it for you.
Step Four: Dry & Covered
Keeping your RV dry is crucial to it maintenance over the winter. If your RV is hooked up to power, electric dehumidifyers are a great solution. If your RV is NOT hooked up to power, you can use one of several products to pull excess moisture out from the air. You can choose from products like Absorbag, DampRid, H2O Out, to name a few. These products can be placed in a home over to recharge their water absorption properties.
Others, like the Dry-Z-Air and dehumidifier will need to have their water catches emptied at least every two weeks.
Vent covers are also a good way to help control the moisture. Maxxair and Camco vent covers allow you to leave your vents open. This allows any moisture to escape, while keeping the weather out.
Finally, once everything is done, you will need to cover your RV with a UV-protected and mildew-resistant RV cover, especially if you’re storing your RV outside. Consider purchasing separate RV tire covers if your cover does not protect your tires.
All these products and more are available from any of our Poulsbo RV Parts Departments. Plus, our staff is trained and experienced at knowing what RV owners need. They’re happy to share their knowledge and recommend the perfect products for your individual needs.
