Mistakes to Avoid When Storing Your RV for Winter
Fo
r many people who own recreational vehicles, the winter is a time of inactivity. Driving a large RV can be challenging for some under regular conditions, but winter roadways are particularly troublesome for RVs. Not to mention, the weather isn’t ideal for camping during the winter in most areas. Therefore, many recreational vehicle owners choose to put their vehicles away for the winter in affordable RV storage facilities to protect them from the harshest season of the year. There are many outlets that provide affordable boat and RV storage in Metairie, giving owners of recreational vehicles plenty of options in months when the weather is frightful. However, placing your RV in a facility offering affordable RV storage in Metairie is not enough to protect your home away from home from the winter weather. There are a few other tasks you need to perform to make sure your RV is safe and ready to roll when the spring emerges. Read here to learn what mistakes to avoid when storing your RV over the winter.
Poor Battery Maintenance
As is the case with any vehicle, your RV relies on batteries to start and power some of the equipment that is carried on board. However, when the vehicle is scheduled to sit idle for a few months, it’s a good idea to disconnect the battery to prevent it from being trickled down during periods of infrequent use. That can result in batteries that won’t hold a charge in the spring, which could leave you frustrated when you attempt to crank your RV for the first time after the winter. Also, because batteries contain liquids, it’s important that you pull them from the RV and store them indoors if you expect temperatures to remain below freezing for extended periods.
Failure to Drain Water Systems
When water freezes, it expands, no matter where it is or what may be holding it. That’s particularly problematic when it’s in your plumbing, whether in your household or your RV. Failure to drain all the water lines in your RV could result in thousands of dollars in damage and a huge mess when the water thaws. Some non-potable water systems in your RV can be treated with antifreeze, but it’s important that all water systems are tended before the first freeze arrives.
Failure to Stabilize Fuel
Most fuels used in RVs will degrade as they sit in the tank, particularly over long periods of infrequent use. Your RV can hold dozens of gallons of fuel, and it’s not feasible to think that you’ll be able to use it all immediately before storing your vehicle for the winter. The next best thing that you can do before storing your RV for the winter is to add a fuel stabilizer to any gas left in the tank. That will keep the fuel in working order and keep it fresh while your RV is in hibernation. It’ll also prevent resin deposits from forming that can damage the internal spaces of your engine and cost hundreds or thousands of dollars in repair work.
F
orgetting Your RV Until Spring
For many RV owners, out of sight means out of mind. However, one of the worst things you can do with your RV is store it and never check on it. It’s a good idea to visit it at least once a month to make sure there are no surprises waiting for you when you return your vehicle to regular use in the spring. You can check for leaking fluids, tire inflation, and secured doors and windows. A quick inspection takes less than 15 minutes and will make sure you find your RV in ideal condition when you put it on the road in the spring.
If you plan to store your RV through the winter months, make sure that you avoid these costly mistakes when putting it away. To learn more about some of the mistakes you should avoid when storing your RV for the winter and how we offer FREE 24/7 access, NO administrative or hidden fees, and don’t require you to purchase insurance through us, contact Affordable Self Storage at (504) 833-1717.
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