what ground is best to store a rv
Introduction
Even though we now live in our RV as our just home in that location have been times in the final few years that we accept had to place our Cougar fifth cycle trailer in storage for a footling while. Luckily nosotros have plant a squeamish secure storage yard to keep our baby in. We actually love our RV and would hate to run into anything happen to it while in storage, and then I've done a lot of inquiry virtually RV storage and the best ways to foreclose whatever damage. Below you'll find my 11 Helpful Tips for RV Storage.
1. Make clean and Check all Seals
Earlier placing the rig in storage give it a good launder and wax. The wax will help protect the RV from sun damage and go on clay build up down. A expert glaze of wax as well makes cleanup after storage much easier. When washing pay special attention to the roof. Almost of those evil black streaks come from dirt and road grime on the roof, then the cleaner the better for the whole rig.
After the rig is all clean accept a close look at all silicon seams, caulking and condom seals. If anything is croaky or worn looking at present is the time to repair it. As they say "An ounce of prevention equals a pound of cure" or in the case of an RV a ton of money. One of the most expensive RV repair bills you can go is from water harm and nearly times information technology happens during time spent in storage.
2. Ventilation
Keeping moisture out of the RV is a major concern. If any wet develops it can pb to mold growth and musty smells when you retrieve your RV from storage. I find past far the all-time way to go on the interior of the RV dry is to leave the rooftop vents open. Nosotros accept installed special vent covers on our three roof vents allowing us to leave them broad open all the time.
They are designed in such a way to stop rain from getting within but at the same time allowing for lots of air flow. Equalization of air temperature within and outside the RV seems to be a large key to stopping moisture problems and the open vents do the job well. The proof is in the pudding every bit I have had to store the Cougar trailer several times on Vancouver Island in the fall. If y'all have never been to the west declension of Canada in fall, let's merely say information technology rains! When we walk within our stored trailer everything is dry as a os. I likewise exit open the interior cabinets, closets and prop open the refrigerator door.
The outset time I stored the RV I goofed big time. My starting time mistake was I thought the fridge was completely empty merely had missed a parcel of frozen chopped spinach in the freezer door. Second mistake was I failed to prop open the doors. Let's just say I'll never, never make that mistake once again. Arrgghhh! – Ray
3. Blinds and Defunction
Some other mode to combat mold growth is by non using the full dark time shades. I store the RV with the translucent daytime shades drawn which withal allows daylight to penetrate. I learned this lesson when I stored my old camper van for vi months and decided it would exist a adept thought to shut all the curtains. Well the van had a bit of a leak and moisture got into it. The whole back area that was concealed off was full of mold spots only the front driving area which had no curtaining was spotless.
iv. Slide Outs
I similar to take all my slides retracted when storing the RV. This style the mechanical parts, roof, slide toppers and condom seals are not exposed to the elements and at that place is less chance for leaks. Before placing the RV in storage I will clean the rubber seals, roof and mechanical parts underneath. Then I apply some Protect-All rubber seal conditioner and slide rail corrosion protector. On the inner seals I rub on some baby powder to go on the them from sticking when we go to open up the slide again.
v. Bugs and Rodents
Different parts of the country volition accept different problems with pests, and nigh of them can cause some sort of grief when storing the rig. First thing to practise is make sure all external openings are blocked off or screened. Popular spots for bugs to prepare upward store are rooftop plumbing vents, within the exterior fridge console and vent, the furnace exhaust and air intake piping. Most RV parts outlets sell made to fit screening for these openings.
The worse pests I remember are rats and mice equally they like to chew electrical wiring which can be very difficult to locate in closed up RV walls, plus they crap everywhere, yuck. The best fashion to limit them picking your RV as a happy domicile is to make sure to remove all possible food sources and nesting materials. Fifty-fifty things you wouldn't remember of similar soap, toothpaste and paper towels. They mostly won't hang around and nest if there isn't a proficient supply of nutrient. I've heard stuffing steel wool and spray cream into possible underbelly admission points may likewise help.
* For more tips and tricks for rodent control check out this interesting Mice Thread over in theLove Your RV Forum forums. 🙂
half-dozen. Electrical
When I leave the RV in storage I plough off all electrical using a battery disconnect switch located right beside my batteries. This way there volition be absolutely no drain on the battery bank and I won't have to worry about dealing with a dead battery bank when I go to pick upward the RV. Thing to remember though is to make sure the batteries are fully charged first. A fully charged battery volition be OK in common cold conditions and ordinarily non freeze. I say unremarkably because I've never lived in ultra-cold places where peradventure that tin be a problem. But I know for sure a weakly charged battery tin freeze much easier and damage it. Also yous don't want to be the rig in the storage chiliad with the weak battery alarm beeping all day long. 😉
If your lucky and have solar ability on the rig then leave that hooked up as information technology volition maintain the batteries at total accuse. It doesn't have much. My old camper van only had a 15 watt panel on it but kept the starting battery in nifty shape. Even afterward storing the van all wintertime the battery fired up the engine on the kickoff few cranks.
seven. Plumbing and Tanks
The temperature plays the biggest part in how we prep the RV for storage when it comes to plumbing. If there is no chance of freezing and I'm but storing for a few weeks I do very piffling. I'll generally flush out the waste matter tanks real well and then add back a ¼ tank of water to keep them from drying out inside. For the fresh water I fill it and add a ½ cup of bleach and so run it into all the pipes. That way I get to disinfect the water supply plumbing as it sits and nix can grow in it.
If in that location is whatsoever chance of beneath freezing weather I remove all h2o from the plumbing system including the water heater tank. Then I will add together antifreeze into the piping, valves, drain "P" traps and a little bit into each waste material tank. There are many great articles online on winterizing and several feasible methods. Last year I needed to practice it very fast and then opted for my ain very quick method. Information technology uses a lot of antifreeze merely worked well. Besides remember to remove any other liquids that may freeze and crack their containers to avoid unanticipated messes in the RV. An example would be dish washing soap.
8. Security
Motorhomes are a piddling harder to break into and steal just 5th wheels such as ours are an easy target. I attach a special hitch lock to the king pin. Some folks will as well chain the wheels or utilize a cycle lock. The best thing to exercise is leave it in a location that has some blazon of onsite security or at least someone that keeps an eye on things. The storage m we use has an owner who lives on the premises and a Rottweiler guard dog. I make sure to get the spot close to the doggie.
Making your RV a difficult target is the best defense. Thieves are generally lazy and will move on looking for an easier score. Another matter I've washed to make the rig a bit more secure is modify out the storage bay locks. Many folks don't realize that a majority of RVs use the same key but criminals sure practice! If they tin walk upward to an RV and open up things with a cardinal they won't look too suspicious to a casual observer. Bank check my contempo blog post for details of my storage door lock replacement.
nine. RV Insurance
Make sure to contact your RV insurance company and see if you lot have the proper insurance in place. Don't trust that a storage lot is going to cover whatever losses. Near policies for "storage merely" coverage are very inexpensive and well worth information technology for piece of mind.
10. Tires
Improper storage of tires causes a great many of those blow outs you hear RVers talking almost. Leaving the motorhome or trailer parked in the same spot on the tires for extended periods weakens the tire and may lead to sudden catastrophic failure. Hither are some tire storage tips I constitute in the Goodyear Recreational Vehicle Tire and Care Guide
Storing your vehicle properly helps protect your tires.
- Keep your vehicle in a cool, dry storage area out of direct sunlight and UV rays.
- Unload your vehicle then that minimum weight is on the tires.
- Inflate your tires to recommended operation pressure plus 25%, just don't exceed the rim manufacturer's aggrandizement capacity.
- Thoroughly clean your tires with lather and water earlier storing them to remove whatever oils that may take accumulated from the road.
- Movement your vehicle at least every iii months to help preclude cracking and flat-spotting, but avoid moving it during extremely cold weather condition.
- Place your vehicle on blocks to remove the weight from the tires. If the vehicle tin can't exist put on blocks, make sure the storage surface is firm, clean, well-drained and reasonably level.
Nearly manufactures and manuals I've read also state not to store with the tires on the bare ground but to put something like a plank of wood under them.
* Check out my tips post on RV tire age
eleven. Get Check on it
Finally, we can all go lazy or forgetful, out of site out of heed, just it'due south well worth stopping by and checking in on our RV from time to time. Problems tin be nipped in the bud earlier they go from minor petty problems to larger, more expensive issues. Ii large things to expect for are signs of rodent debris or moisture intrusion, each can crusade expensive impairment.
Conclusion
The best matter is non to have to shop the RV. In a perfect world nosotros would e'er be RVing, but if y'all do take to store it I hope these eleven Tips for RV Storage come are helpful. If yous accept whatever handy tips to add please get out a comment below, past using the contact link at the top of the website or share it in the RVHH forums. We dearest sharing RVing advice and tips.
Follow our RV adventures! Sign upwardly for the free monthly Love Your RV Newsletter – Receive the eBook "Tips for the RV Life" as a gift. – Cheers Ray
Source: https://www.loveyourrv.com/11-helpful-tips-for-rv-storage/
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