Winter is coming, and the cold weather isn’t ideal for RV usage. Many people choose to store their RVs for the winter, then they take their them back out on the road in the spring, when the warm air and weather returns. But how do you store an RV effectively? Let’s look at some options to help you determine which one meets your storage needs.
RV Storage Options
When you put your RV away for the winter, you have several options to choose from, including:
Using an RV Storage Facility
RV storage facilities rent out individual units that keep RVs inside during the winter months. This type of storage facility has a climate-controlled environment that protects your RV and its components out of the cold air and the other elements. It also prevents critters from crawling inside your RV and damaging the wiring or other RV parts. While renting an indoor RV storage unit offers a lot of RV protection benefits, you need to budget for renting the unit. This may fit some RV owners’ budgets, but not others.
Covering Your RV
If you don’t have the budget to rent a storage unit, you could store your RV in your driveway or garage. When you choose this option, it’s more hands on than renting a storage space is. You need to invest in an RV cover and an RV skirt to store your vehicle safely. Are RV covers a good idea? Yes, they are! A cover protects your RV from hail, snow, sleet, and UV rays that could damage its exterior.
Similarly, RV skirting for winter prevents freezing air and winds from traveling under your vehicle and damaging its plumbing system. If you don’t skirt your RV, parts of the plumbing system could freeze during the winter and stop running well after they thaw. An RV cover and an RV skirting solution help you store your RV outdoors while keeping it safe.
Using Manual RV Maintenance
If you can’t afford to rent a storage unit or cover and skirt your RV, you can always practice coverless outdoor RV storage. How much is it to store an RV outside? It doesn’t cost much money, but it does cost you lots of personal labor. With this storage method, you maintain your RV by hand throughout the winter, clearing snow and ice off of it periodically. Always bundle up when you go out into freezing weather, and be careful when you clear off your RV.
Other Tips for Outdoor and Garage RV Storage
If you store your RV in or around your home instead of in a covered RV storage unit, you should use the following tips to protect your RV throughout the winter:
- Critter-proof your RV: Take steps to ensure mice, squirrels, and other small animals don’t hole up in your RV for the winter. Remove all food from your vehicle first, then clean the floors, counters, cupboards, cabinets, and refrigerator in the living space. Seal all holes where rodents and other critters might get in, and set mouse traps throughout your RV.
- Drain and winterize your plumbing system: Winterizing your RV’s plumbing prevents water from freezing inside its pipes and fixtures. Water could damage your system if you don’t drain it properly before cold weather hits your area. The winterizing process could be simple or complex, depending on how complex your plumbing system is.
- Store your batteries: Disconnect your batteries from your RV and store them in a dry, cool place. (Make sure the environment doesn’t get too cold, though.) The cool environment prevents the batteries from losing too much charge and prevents them from being exposed to the elements.
Finance Your RV Purchase With Finance Solution
If you’re ready to purchase your RV and find a way to store it, connect with Finance Solution. We have the financing options that help you afford your new vehicle.
