Are you looking for ways to winterize your Recreational Vehicle? The article brings you quick tips to winterize the RV the right way.
After all the summer adventures, we suggest winterizing your Recreational Vehicles to save them from any damage. It also gives you a smooth start on the next trip. You can do it yourself, or you can use an RV garage. Keep reading to know more about it.
What does winterizing an RV mean?
Before discussing further, let’s discuss what is meant by winterizing an RV. Due to freezing temperatures, the waterlines of an RV get frozen. So, winterizing an RV means keeping the water lines smooth by flushing and adding some anti-freezing material. But, this is not all. Pest controlling, maintaining the engine, electric supply, and tires are also included.
Tips to winterize an RV
Water system
During winters, the pipes of an RV get frozen. It causes cracks and holes in the pipeline. To eliminate the likelihood of these chances, you need to winterize your RV’s water system completely. Each unit of your RV has a separate water system. Ways to winterize your pipes will be mentioned in the owner’s manual.
If you have a huge RV with dishwashers, washing machines, and ice machines, you need to follow some additional steps for winterizing them. Winterizing the pipes is very easy. First, make sure that all the heaters are off. Next, you need to drain all the pipes while keeping all the faucets on. It will remove the stored water from your system. Then, you can fill the pipes with an anti-freezer. Do not forget to make sure that the anti-freezers have reached all your faucets.
Batteries
Winter can destroy your RV if you are not taking precautions. You must switch off all of the breaker and disconnect switches to save the batteries. While removing the batteries, do not forget to remove the negative ones first. Labeling the cables will help you to reconnect the batteries for the next season. If you have single batteries, charge them and store them in a dry place.
For large system batteries, you need to follow the instructions mentioned in the manual. It is better if you keep these batteries in your RV but always disconnect the negative cables. Throughout the winter, keep the batteries charged.
The exterior
When you are winterizing your RV, you aim to protect it from all outside elements. For protecting the exterior of your RV, apply a good quality protectant or wax. Make sure that the formula is suitable for the composite of your RV. First, you need to clean the exterior of the RV. If you find any cracks, you must seal them immediately. Next, you need to apply the wax carefully to fully winterize your RV.
Clean the awning
At the time of cleaning the RV’s exterior, do not forget to clean the awning. The fabric must be completely clean and dry to avoid molding. If you have fold-out or pop-up trailers with fabric, clean them as well. Nothing can be worse than the disgusting smell of mildew.
AC filters
Cleaning your Air Conditioning system is also important for winterizing an RV. After months of traveling, the exterior of an AC gets really dusty. So, remove the filters of your AC and clean them thoroughly. If needed, you can replace the filters before winter comes. The main purpose of winterizing an RV is, keeping it clean, dry, and well-maintained throughout the season.
Locks
Keeping all the locks and hinges of your RV working is also important. This process takes only a few minutes. You need to apply a little lubricant on each lock to prevent them from any jams or blockages. Thus, you can use the RV without any hassle. Moreover, if the locks get damaged, fixing them will cost a lot.
Interior
Keeping the interior of an RV super-clean is a must, and it helps prevent any pest infestation and germ formation. So, sanitize your RV and keep only essential items inside. Do not forget to throw away all leftover food items. A clean RV always feels better.
Wheels
To make your RV winter-protected, you need to cover the wheels, and it will save the material from sun damage and snow. You can cover the wheels using a tarf, but make sure that it is made of a breathable shell.
Dehumidifier
If you wish to protect your RV from moisture damages, use a dehumidifier. Running it sometimes will be beneficial. You can also leave moisture-absorbent inside the RV during the winter.
These are some effective ways to winterize an RV. If you are a seasoned RV user, you already understand the importance of winterizing your vehicle. So, use these effective tips and protect your RV from the winter.
