When it comes to RV and vehicle storage, the best thing to do to avoid missing any steps is to make a checklist. Start with utilities like turning off heat, electricity and AC circuit breakers. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Inspect and unplug electrical devices and the battery
Your RV storage checklist should also include inspecting all devices that could drain the battery if you forget to turn them off, including alarms, shut-off valves, TV antenna boosters and any other plug-in electrical element inside the RV. To be extra safe, disconnect the negative cable on your battery. If you’re storing your RV during the winter and your area experiences freezing temperatures, it’s best to remove your battery entirely and store it in a room-temperature place.
Clean out your water tanks
Clean-out jobs for RV storage should cover sewage tanks and water tanks. Empty both the wastewater and the freshwater tanks at a dump station before storing the RV. Also empty toilets and the water heater. One recommended way of cleaning out your tanks is to fill them with a mixture of water and baking soda or bleach, then drive your RV around for a short period of time so that the liquid sloshes around, cleaning out your tanks. Make sure to empty the tanks immediately afterwards.
Dry out your pipes
After your tanks have been cleaned out, it’s time to attend to your pipes. This is particularly important if you’re storing your RV during the winter, when water can freeze and expand, bursting your pipes. It’s impossible to completely dry out your pipes, but one way of expelling as much moisture as possible is to send compressed air through the system. Consult your owner’s manual or an RV mechanic before doing so, as compressed air can damage some plumbing systems. Otherwise, your safest bet is to add antifreeze to the system in sufficient amounts to ensure that all pipes have been treated. Don’t forget to pour a little antifreeze down every drain and toilet in your RV as well.
Close off the gas tank
Propane tanks should be topped off and gas supplies shut off. Remove propane tanks if possible and store them somewhere cool and dry, like a basement. Turn off any appliances that use gas (stoves, ovens, furnaces, water heaters).
Take care of the engine
Change or top off your oil, radiator, windshield wiper fluid and brake fluid. Add antifreeze to the radiator. Fill up your gas tank, adding the appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer along the way. Filling your tank will prevent moisture from building up in your tank and corroding the material, while the stabilizer will make sure the fuel doesn’t break down. Run the engine for a few minutes so that the stabilizer can spread.
​
Take off the tires
When your RV rests on the same spot on its tires for a long period of time, its tires can develop flat spots that will ruin them. Cold temperatures can exacerbate this issue. This isn’t much of a problem if you’re able to take your RV out and drive every few weeks, but if you aren’t, removing your tires and setting the RV up on jacks or blocks will extend the life of your tires. If you decide not to remove your tires, make sure to put chocks around the wheels. Don’t engage the emergency brake, as it can fuse with the rotors over time.
Take care of the roof
If you’re storing the RV in an uncovered space, a leaky roof could damage the interior and prevent you from getting back on the road when the time comes. Ensure that you’ve closed and sealed the roof vents, and make sure you don’t need roof-sealing maintenance. Using mesh screens on the inside of vents and covering them up with cardboard can prevent squirrels, birds and bugs from entering. It’s best to have your roof inspected once per year to keep it in good shape, so get into the routine of doing this before you store for the winter. Minor cracks and exposed seams can be covered with a good outdoor sealer.
Clean it out
Empty and unplug your refrigerator, then leave the door open with a bucket underneath so that the ice in your freezer thaws. Thoroughly clean the RV of any food or crumbs. Take any perishables out of your vehicle. It’s even a good idea to spray ant killer or leave ant traps inside the RV. Lubricate the hinges on all doors.
Cover it up
Get an RV cover to protect your RV from dust, sun damage, hail, birds and other animals. Don’t just rely on a cover to protect you from water damage if the roof needs repair. Reseal the roof or find a covered storage space to prevent serious damage.
