How to Prepare Your RV for Long-Term Storage
Owning an RV means adventure is always within reach. It's a great feeling to travel and explore in the comfort of your recreational vehicle. But sometimes, it’s just not possible to use your RV. You must ensure your RV is stored securely and safely during these times. Placing it in an RV storage facility is the perfect solution.
Before storing your RV, you’ll need to take care of some tasks. These include choosing the correct storage facility and ensuring your RV is properly prepared before stowing it away for a while.
Choose the Right Storage Location
When it comes to your RV, only the best facility is good enough. So, how do you decide where to go? Ask yourself these questions:
- Do you want indoor or outdoor storage?
- Will you require access to your RV while it’s in storage?
- How long do you plan to keep your RV in storage?
- How much are you prepared to pay for storage?
River Valley Storage, located in Rigby, Idaho, offers convenient, secure storage that RV owners can depend on. A few key services provided include:
- Secure storage with controlled gate access and 24/7 surveillance
- Flexible storage options with indoor and outdoor storage available, differently sized units, and no minimum stay
- Affordable RV storage with no hidden fees or deposits needed
Exterior Cleaning and Maintenance
RVs are continually exposed to the elements when in use, making it tricky to keep them clean. But before you put your RV into storage, giving the exterior a thorough clean is essential.
Thoroughly washing the entire exterior of your RV, from the rooftop to the tires, is crucial. Dirt, salt, grit, and debris can eat away at the paintwork and seals if left unchecked. Check for signs of rust developing around the bumpers or A-frame. Corrosion can progress fast when your RV is in storage, so it’s wise to deal with rust beforehand—especially if you’re storing your RV for the winter.
Once it’s clean, remember to check the roof, awnings, and slideouts. Inspecting these for signs of splits, cracks, and wear will help you catch necessary repairs and keep moisture out of these areas while in storage.
Don’t forget to protect your paint. Applying wax or a protective coating should help retain the luster throughout storage. Dust and debris accumulated in storage will sit on top of the wax, ready to be washed away when you decide to travel again.
Interior Cleaning and Organization
It’s not just the exterior of your RV that needs attention. Cleaning and organizing the interior is just as important. If it’s not clean when it goes into storage, it will look a lot worse when it comes out.
Simply giving the interior a good scrubbing will make a world of difference. Clearing out perishables from your RV and checking there’s no food hiding anywhere is a must. Leaving food or perishables around provides ideal conditions for mold and pest infestations.
Giving your RV’s interior a good cleaning with disinfectant will help remove spores that could breed mold. Wiping over surfaces and inside cupboards will help keep the interior fresh in storage.
When the cleaning is complete, store your electronics and valuables securely. If possible, place electronic devices such as radios or TVs out of sight.
Mechanical and Electrical Preparation
After getting your camper looking clean and fresh, the mechanical elements will need your attention before storage.
Drain and flush your tanks
First, thoroughly empty and clean your black tank (also known as the sewage tank). Residue can build up on the interior surfaces of the black tank. If left unattended, this can damage the sensor and greet you with an unpleasant smell when you take your RV out of storage.
Flushing out your gray tank (a tank that collects wastewater) is also essential. Grease and residue can be stubborn and build up fast. Draining your gray tank after the black tank will help remove any black water residue lurking in the discharge pipe.
Draining your freshwater tank is advised after every trip, but it is especially important before winterizing your RV. If you’re storing your RV over winter, ensure no water is left in the tanks. Frozen water in the tanks can cause burst pipes.
Take care of your fuel tank and battery
Your RV manufacturer will have specific advice for storage procedures you should follow. Usually, it’s advised that you take the following steps before storage:
- Change the oil and filter.
- Add fuel stabilizer.
- Check the antifreeze level.
- Replace spark plugs if needed.
- Disconnect the battery.
Prepare your tires
Before you store your RV, ensure you inflate the tires to the correct level. Using tire covers will help keep them from degrading by limiting their exposure to UV rays and the elements.
If there’s anything you’re not confident figuring out yourself, don’t risk it. Get a professional to help.
Protecting Against Pests and Moisture
Pests and moisture are two potentially huge problems you need to avoid. Sealing potential entry points with caulk will help limit moisture inside the RV and keep pests out. Placing rodent repellents around the RV and traps will provide extra protection against pests.
Moisture absorbers and dehumidifiers will help you keep moisture to a minimum and mold at bay when your RV is not in use.
Documentation and Inventory
Creating an inventory of items stored in your RV and taking photos of them provides a detailed record of their condition and contents before they go into storage. If anything happens to your RV while it’s stored, your documentation could serve as crucial evidence to support an insurance claim.
Checking your documentation and ensuring that your insurance is up-to-date is recommended, even if you aren’t actively using your RV.
RV Storage in Rigby, Idaho
Thorough preparations before storing your RV are essential to retaining its condition and ensuring it’s ready for your next adventure. Taking care of everything from pest prevention to tire protection will give you peace of mind that you’ve done all you can to prepare it for storage.
One of the most important preparations is choosing the best RV storage facility. Contact River Valley Storage for more information about our safe and secure RV storage in Rigby, Idaho.