Sadly, the summer camping season is all but over. Snow has fallen in the Canadian Rockies and, while temperatures are still warmer in the east, the long Summer Season will soon end.
With overnight temperatures beginning to drop below the freezing mark, those who own an RV need to prepare them for winter storage. Obviously this involves winter-proofing it, but exactly what does that entail?
Start with the interior ...
- Defrost the freezer and clean the refrigerator. When you've finished, prevent the doors from closing by using a towel or rag between the door and the fridge and freezer. It's a good idea to place a box of open baking soda inside to prevent smells.
- Clean all appliances.
- Remove all bed linens and store them inside over the winter.
- Thoroughly clean the inside of the RV, making sure all traces of food are removed.
- Make sure all your gas appliances are turned off then turn off the gas supply valve.
- Clean the air conditioner filters.
- Remove any dry cell batteries from smoke alarms etc.
- Close all curtains and blinds.
- Open cabinet doors and drawers and look to see if you can see any sign of daylight - especially in areas where plumbing and wiring enter the RV. Fill these areas with silicone to prevent mice from entering the RV over winter then leave the doors and drawers open for winter storage.
- Ensure the coach battery is fully charged. If the RV will be in storage until late Spring/early Summer, you might like to consider removing the batteries and storing them where they won't freeze.
Move on to the exterior:
- Inspect the underside of the RV for gaps or holes. Again, you want to make sure there are no places for mice or other rodents to enter. Fill gaps with silicone.
- Thoroughly clean the exterior of your RV, including the roof.
- Lubricate locks and hinges.
- Cover LP gas vents to prevent insects from entering.
- Inspect all roof, body and window seams and ensure these are water tight. If you need advice on this, contact our parts department.
- Extend the awning and thoroughly clean the fabric. Make sure it's dry before retracting it.
- Inflate the tires to recommended pressure.
- Change the oil and oil filter on the generator.
- Winterize your RV plumbing systems - If you choose not to do this yourself, CanaDream is happy to offer winterization at a competitive cost.
- First ensure you remove any inline water filters.
- Ensure your black and grey water tanks are empty.
- Drain your hot and cold water lines. Remember to put the plugs back on after draining.
- Drain, then bypass the hot water heater.
- Add anti-freeze to your plumbing system. Make sure it's non-toxic and specifically designed for RV plumbing systems.
If you're not planning to store your RV under cover over the winter, consider investing in a quality breathable RV cover. If your RV is motorized, fill the fuel tank and add a fuel stabilizer. Change the oil and oil filter before putting the RV into storage. If you don't have a place to store your RV at home, most towns and cities offer RV Storage lots at a monthly cost. Minimum rental periods may apply. Choose your RV Storage provider with care - is it convenient for you to store your RV next to a service facilitiy or is a barebones location right for you?
While Spring and Summer 2022 might still seem far off, following these steps to winter proof your RV now will lead to trouble free camping come Summer. When you're ready to bring your RV out of storage, CanaDream will be here to help make that happen.