Winterizing Your RV

If your travel schedule is slowing down now that the colder months are approaching, it’s time to consider winterizing your camper. You’ll have various options on how and where to store your RV, but first, you need to prepare it for storage. 

Razorback Camper Sales has got the lowdown on the winterization process. We’ve gathered some important tips to get you started. For more information, visit our dealership near Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas today! We also serve Texarkana, Texas.

Clean The Interior & Exterior

When you know that your travel plans are coming to a halt for the winter season, you’ll want to give your RV a thorough cleaning. You can start with the interior. Remove any camping gear, clothing, towels, electronics, and so on. This is a crucial step in the process, especially if you live in an area that experiences below freezing temperatures. You want to ensure that nothing left in the RV will collet mildew. Strip the bed sheets, launder them, and store them.

Remove everything from the fridge and pantry. Next, clean up any spills or crumbs in the cabinets. You’ll also want to set some ant traps to ensure your camper remains free of pests. Once the fridge has been emptied, give it a good cleaning, then defrost it. You can lay down some towels to soak up any water that drips out. Lastly, make sure you wipe down all surfaces, sweep, and mop. Remove clutter and tidy up as much as possible so you have less to worry about come springtime.

Now that the interior has been addressed, it’s time to move to the exterior. You should at least wash your RV from top to bottom, which means from the roof down to the tires. Be sure to use a gentle detergent and soft brushes to avoid damage. Use proper safety practices when washing the roof, since you’ll most likely need a ladder. You can add a coat of wax once it’s nice and dry.

Battery And Engine

Remember to remove the battery before you store your camper. Place it on a trickle charger or a tender in a cool, dry place. This guarantees it’ll remain charged and prolong the battery life. This step is critical, especially if you plan to store your rig outdoors. When exposed to drastic temperature changes, your RV battery can end up damaged. Top off the battery fluid and check the posts for corrosion. Lastly, stuff some steel wool into the exhaust pipe to keep pests out.

Your engine will require some attention, too. Top off all the fluid levels, like the oil, coolant, and gas. You should also make it a point to add the appropriate amount of fuel stabilizer to the tank. This will ensure that your gas does not separate over the winter months and it’ll also prevent corrosion. Don’t forget to add antifreeze to the radiator. 

Storing Your RV

The last step in the process is finding a safe and secure place to store your camper. If you have access to a spacious garage, barn, or carport where it can be stored, that would be ideal. Depending on the size of your RV, it might not fit into any of those areas. If that’s the case, you might consider renting a storage space. While you’ll have to pay for this, you can’t beat the peace of mind you’ll have knowing your rig is safely stored for the winter.

If a storage space isn’t within your budget means, you can park your RV behind a tall fence, or a long, gated driveway. You should also throw a well-fitting cover on it. We don’t recommend leaving your camper parked out in the street as this can result in a fine and leave you vulnerable to theft. If your rig is towable, turn the hitch away from the road to prevent it from being removed from your property. For extra security, consider adding a wheel lock.

Stop by Razorback Camper Sales near Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Arkansas to learn more about RV winterization. We also serve Texarkana, Texas. If you’re looking for assistance with storage, service, parts, or financing, we’d be happy to help.