Getting your RV Ready for Long-Term Storage
Making the most of your RV when traveling is ideal throughout the summer. Most of the year, driving your RV throughout the Southwest is OK, but there may be times when you need to park it for a prolonged period of time.
It’s never too early to start thinking about your checklist of things to do when you’re ready to put up your keys for a bit while you’re out enjoying the great outdoors. Here are 11 things you should do to get your RV ready for long-term storage:
- Thorough exterior cleaning
Give your RV a thorough wash and wax to remove caked-on grime and debris from your road trips. It’s lovely to return to a spotless RV when you’re ready to use it again. A thorough cleaning prevents corrosion, mold, and mildew from damaging the outside. A good wax will preserve the surface’s integrity and protect it from UV radiation, which is critical if you live in a hot area.
- Inspect the Tires
Remember to clean your tires and use a suitable sealant. You should also inflate the tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure and evaluate the tread to determine whether it’s time to replace the wheels. As a consequence of the heat, tires may bulge and expand. The last thing you want is for a tire to blow when you’re ready to use your camper again.
- Inspect the Seals
When cleaning the exterior, look for any gaps or fractures in the roof, window, and door seals. The dry, searing Arizona heat may cause your seals to dry out and shatter over time, so use a silicone or foam sealant to keep them healthy and undamaged. This will help deter critters from creeping inside your RV and making it their home.
- Cleaning the Interior
Start at the top and work your way down, cleaning the ceiling, walls, upholstery, surface surfaces, and floor with care. Because rats can smell food crumbs from a mile away, it’s vital to run your vacuum through the RV to collect up all of the crumbs.
Draw the blinds or shades down but don’t entirely close them since the sun may bleach the fabric on your couch. We recommend using transparent shades to let light into the RV while preventing mold and mildew from growing. Moisture may collect in your RV as a result of water seeping through cracks, so carefully inspect the structure for signs of water damage and make any necessary repairs.
- Get the Kitchen Organized
Thoroughly clean all of your equipment, then empty the fridge and freezer. Leave your fridge and freezer doors open with a package of baking soda inside for a fresh scent. Empty and clean the refrigerator and cabinets. You don’t want any food or crumbs lying around for hungry rats to eat. Wrap the stove burners with plastic wrap to keep bugs out. Close any appliance holes that may let pests in, such as gas lines and furnace exhaust.
- Let the vents open.
The interior of your RV might reach triple digits. Allow air to flow within the RV by opening the exterior air vents, reducing moisture and mold formation. However, use vent covers to keep rain and moisture out, or you may wind up with mold issues.
- Empty the Tanks
Empty the RV’s waste tanks at a dump station. Because toilet waste may harden and dry up in the black water holding tank, making removal difficult, flush and empty the tank before storing it.
The grey tank gathers waste water from the different lines in your RV, most notably the kitchen and bathroom sinks. It will collect anything from food stains to toothpaste.
Additionally, dump and clean your freshwater tank. Allowing some water to stay in the tank is acceptable for short-term storage but not for long-term storage due to the possibility of bacteria developing in warm water at high temperatures. Before your first trip after storing your car, remember to fill the freshwater tank with water.
- Remove the Batteries
To keep your RV’s batteries from dying while it’s in storage, remove and charge them. Charge the batteries in a temperature-controlled location of your home, such as the garage. Check the batteries on a regular basis to ensure they are completely charged and ready to go the next time you take the RV out.
- Place the Slides
Keep your slide outs closed. This will assist in balancing your RV and relieving strain on the slide joints. This will also keep any rain, dust, or debris from falling on the top of the slides and adding to the weight. As previously said, examine the seals around the slide outs since they may let water and damp inside your RV. By keeping the slides pressed in, creatures are kept out through the seals and joints.
- Buy an RV Cover
Whether you park in an open or closed place, a decent RV cover will protect your recreational vehicle in the long term and should fit tightly around the exterior of the vehicle. We recommend utilizing a permeable cover to allow air to circulate while keeping mold and mildew at bay.
- Find a Storage Facility
Not everyone has a big enough driveway or adjoining street to park a huge RV. You should also be mindful of violating HOA rules depending on where you live. Check out RV storage in mohave county to find a good storage facility that will give you peace of mind that your RV is secure and well-cared for.