Three Interior Preparation Mistakes To Avoid When Storing Your RV

Posted on: 26 April 2017

Unless you live in your RV full time, you will eventually need to put it into long-term storage, usually for the winter season. Unless you plan to continue using the RV at least once a month, you will need to make sure that it is properly prepared for storage so you don't have any unwelcome surprises when you are ready to use it again. Overlooking the following interior storage preparation tasks can be costly mistakes, in terms of both time and repairs.

#1: Not winterizing the water system

It just takes a freeze to expand any leftover water in your holding tank or hoses, which will then lead to a crack and leakage. Best case scenario is you will need to replace hoses, while the worst case is that water damage occurs to the interior of your RV. Take the time to drain the water tanks and then flush them out. Follow this with an antifreeze treatment. Yes, it does mean you have to flush the antifreeze from the system before using the RV again, but this is much preferable than fixing a freeze-damaged system.

#2: Skipping the fridge cleanout

Food residue attracts pests. It also can lead to foul odors that linger for months. Make sure all cabinets, doors, and the fridge are emptied off all food items. Then, wipe everything down with a dilute bleach solution to remove any crumbs, stickiness, or remaining food odors. If you do leave some dry goods in tightly sealed, pest-proof containers, then make sure the exterior of the containers are wiped clean of any food residue. When removing possible food sources, don't overlook the bathroom. Toothpaste and other personal hygiene products can also attract pests, so remove these from the RV or store them in a pest-proof container.

#3: Ignoring the possibility of pests

Food isn't the only thing that attracts pests ā€“ the possibility of a warm, safe place to nest for the winter can also cause an infestation. If possible, choose a facility that has indoor RV storage and treats for pests. You should also package any linens that you leave in the RV in sealed plastic bags, such as in vacuum sealed space saver bags, tied off garbage bags, or even in plastic storage bins. Remove any linens from the beds or bathroom and store them in the same manner. Then, verify that all outdoor hatches and entry points into the RV are closed and that vent covers are fully attached.

For more help, contact an RV storage facility in your area.

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