Get DirectionsEasy Ways to Protect Your RV During the Winter
You’re in the middle of enjoying life on the open road right now, but cooler weather is just around the corner. At Meiners Insurance, we like to help our clients in Avon Lake, OH protect all of their assets, including their recreational vehicles. While a solid insurance policy can protect your recreational vehicle from damage and protect you from liability, there are also simple steps you can take to winterize your RV and keep it in top condition for years to come.
Three Ways to Protect and Store Your RV for the Winter
Clean it Thoroughly, Inside and Out. You’ve heard of new car smell, but what about musty RV or boat smell? Anytime you’re storing a recreational vehicle for the winter, you should give it a top to bottom cleaning so that you don’t come back to unpleasant odors, stale air, or, worse, bugs and rodents. Pay special attention to the floors, fridge and cabinets, making sure all food and crumbs are removed. Applying a wax coat as your final stage of cleaning will protect your RV from UV damage.
Unplug Everything! Next, go through your RV and unplug everything. And we mean everything. Turn off the main circuit breaker, unplug all appliances, remove batteries from clocks, flashlights, and other gadgets. Finally, remove the RV’s battery and store it in a cool, dry place. Do not leave your RV connected to shore power for the entire off-season as this can deplete your cell battery. Instead, keep the battery on a maintenance charger designed for long-term storage. Taking these steps will prolong the life of your RV and prevent short circuits and fires.
Plug Everything! We know we just told you to unplug everything, but you should also plug (or cover) everything. Critter damage and sun damage are two dangers recreational vehicles face during the off-season. To protect from nesting birds and rodents, step inside your RV when you’re ready to store it and see if light is getting in anywhere. If light can get in, then small animals can get in. Use expanding foam or wadding to plug all entryways. To protect against sun damage, either choose covered storage or use a tarp to keep your RV fully covered throughout the winter.
Top Off All Fluids. Last but not least, take a moment to get an oil change and make sure all your fluids are topped off. Fuel naturally deteriorates while an RV is in storage, so add a fuel-storage stabilizer to the tank to keep the air around the fuel from condensing and to prevent deterioration.
Taking these four simple steps will ensure that you’re ready to roll at the first signs of spring and keep your RV running smooth for longer. Looking for more ways to safeguard your assets? Contact Meiners Insurance to request a quote for Recreational Vehicle Insurance. We’ll protect your investments so you can spend your time enjoying the open road.
