Ready for the Off-Season? Your RV Winterizing Checklist

 A Step-by-Step Checklist for Winterizing Your RV

How do you prepare your RV to ensure it is safely stored over the winter? After a fun season of RV road trips and making memories with your family and friends, it’s important to store your RV the right way so you can easily start your next adventure in the spring. Here are five important steps to take when winterizing your RV…

Give Your RV a Post-Summer Cleaning

After a summer of road trips and adventures, your RV has probably picked up more than a few souvenirs along the way. Bugs, road grime, dirt, dust, pollen, and bird droppings can build up on your RV as you travel from one destination to the next.

A thorough post-summer RV cleaning is a simple way to help protect the paint and exterior from damage and rust during winter storage. Give your RV a good wash, paying special attention to areas where dirt and grime tend to collect.

Once your RV cleaning is complete, let everything dry completely before covering or storing your rig.

Drain Your RV Tanks, Drains, and Water Heater

One of the most important steps in winterizing your RV is removing water from the plumbing system to help prevent freezing, damage, and costly repairs. Before storing your RV for the winter, be sure to properly drain your black and gray holding tanks, fresh water tank, low-point drains, and water heater.

Start by completely draining and flushing your RV holding tanks. Emptying the black and gray tanks helps remove waste and buildup that can lead to unpleasant odors while your RV is in storage. Drain the fresh water tank as well so water isn’t left sitting in the system for months.

Next, open your RV low-point drains, typically located underneath the RV, to remove as much remaining water as possible from the plumbing lines. And while you know at this point the importance of maintaining your RV water heater, don’t forget to properly drain that, too.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, pump RV antifreeze through the RV plumbing system to protect the water lines from freezing temperatures, which can cause burst pipes and a huge repair bill in the spring.

Keep Pests and Mold Out of Your RV

Nobody wants to discover unwanted winter guests in their RV! As part of your RV winter storage routine, take time to keep mice, insects, and mold from making themselves at home.

Start by removing all food from your RV. Empty the refrigerator, clean out cabinets and outdoor storage compartments, and check those easy-to-miss spots under furniture, mattresses, and cushions. A few leftover crumbs from your grandkids’ crackers can attract unwanted visitors.

Next, inspect your RV for openings where pipes, wiring or hoses enter the rig. Seal gaps and openings and don’t forget to close any exterior roof vents or fans.

Finally, prop up your mattress and cushions to allow air to circulate and help prevent mold and mildew from developing during winter storage.

Control Moisture in Your RV Refrigerator

Moisture can quickly become a problem during RV winter storage, especially inside your fridge and freezer. Once you’ve removed all the food, take the time to defrost your RV fridge and freezer completely before putting your rig into storage.

If you find a buildup of ice, place towels inside the fridge and freezer, and on the floor underneath, to soak up the melting water. Just don’t forget to come back and grab those towels once everything has finished defrosting!

Before storing your RV, leave the fridge and freezer doors propped open to allow air to circulate and help prevent moisture, mold, and mildew. Most RV refrigerators have built-in latches that allow you to keep the doors slightly open, even when your RV is parked on a slope.

Give Your RV a Good Deep Cleaning

Doesn’t it feel great to walk into a spotless home? The same goes for your RV! Before you put your rig into winter storage, take some time to give it a thorough deep cleaning. A clean, organized RV will be much more inviting when you’re ready to hit the road again!

Here are a few RV cleaning tasks to add to your checklist:

• Vacuum the seats, carpets, and floors.
• Wipe down interior surfaces and wash the floors.
• Take out the trash and remove anything that could attract pests or create odors.
• Clean the refrigerator, sinks, toilet, and shower.
• Clear away clutter and return items to their proper place.

Walking into a spotless RV in the spring will only add to your happiness and excitement for the season! Forbes Health notes that cleaning and reducing clutter may enhance well-being, focus, and stress management.

Don’t Forget Your RV Battery

During camping season, your RV battery can easily become an “out of sight, out of mind” item. But when it’s time to prepare your RV for winter storage, your battery deserves some attention, too. Proper RV battery maintenance can help extend battery life and ensure your rig is ready to hit the road when spring arrives.

If you’re storing your RV for several months, check your battery manufacturer’s recommendations for winter storage. Depending on your battery type and RV setup, you may choose to remove the battery or leave it installed while using a proper battery maintenance system. If you remove the battery, store it in a clean, dry location protected from extreme temperatures, and follow the manufacturer’s storage recommendations.

Choose the Right RV Storage at the Right Time

As a general rule, you’ll want to complete your RV winterization before temperatures consistently reach around 32°F. The ideal timing is from late September through mid-November and varies depending on your location and local weather patterns. Keep an eye on your local forecast to find the timing that’s best for you.

Once your RV is winterized and ready for the off-season, it’s time to choose the right RV storage facility to protect your rig until spring. With more than 20 locations and growing, Outrig offers RV storage options across the U.S., making it easy to find a convenient place to store your RV. Outrig offers open and covered parking, enclosed storage units, self-storage, commercial storage, and premium amenities including wash stations, valet parking, and climate-controlled units at several locations. At Outrig, we're more than just storage. We're one less worry.