Winter Storage
Tim: Welcome to another edition of tech Tips, I’m Tim.
Al: And I’m Al. What are we going to talk about today Tim?
Tim: Well, I know it seems like summer just got started, but it’s time to talk about how to get your RV Ready for winter.
Al: Do you mean getting it ready for camping on the ski hill and using the RV like a ski in ski out condo or boon docking on the beach in Mexico?
Tim: Those are both excellent options but I’m talking about winter storage.
Al: Ah yes, very important. Ensuring your RV is ready for winter can drastically increase the RV’s life expectancy and reduce maintenance costs. So what do we need to do Tim?
Tim: Well one very important step is to remove the water from the plumbing systems and use RV antifreeze.
Al: You can check out the guidelines on how to winterize you RV at www.arbutusrv.ca . Just go to the “parts Specials” section and then click on RV Checklists.
Tim: Good point Al, there’s lots of great info on that website.
Al: OK, let’s presume your water system and holding tanks are winterized, is that all we need to do?
Tim: No, that would just be one part of the bare necessities; you also want to make absolutely certain that you have no exterior water leaks.
Al: All of the RV’s seams and sealants should be closely inspected, and even better is a Seal Tech test.
Tim: A Seal Tech test safely increases the air pressure inside the RV so technicians can check for leaks, kind of like checking for leaks in a tire. If there is an air leak somewhere that could leak water, it can be detected and repaired before the leak would have even been noticed otherwise.Al: In order to reduce mould and mildew, you want to ensure your RV is clean and dry for storage.
Tim: Clean the roof, if you have a rubber roof also use rubber roof treatment to reduce future cleaning requirements. Wash the side walls, regular waxing will go a long way in making the streaks easier to remove next time.
Al: On the inside of the RV make sure there is no place for moisture to get trapped.
Tim: Trapped moisture turns to mould and mildew. Opening cupboard doors and turning up cushions and mattresses can help reduce mould and mildew. You should also have one or more Dry the Airs or an electric Store Dry to help fight moisture problems.
Al: Another very important consideration is to cover your RV.
Tim and Al: Cover your RV for Longer Life with Less Maintenance.
Al: You don’t want to wrap your RV in a tarp and leave it sit for months on end, this can create problems of its own, but for 3-5 months of idle time a tarp that is properly installed can prevent a lot of clean up and maintenance in the spring.
Tim: Even better than a tarp is an RV Cover. Good RV covers are typically made of several layers of material that will keep out moisture, dirt and debris and still allow the unit to breathe.
Al: RV covers are much easier to put on than a tarp, won’t scratch your RV and most will have zipper openings so that you can still get in and out of the RV without untying the cover.
Tim: Covering your RV will prevent water from getting into cracks. Water expands when it freezes and can make a small crack bigger.
Al: In our climate water can freeze and thaw a lot of times over the winter, and each time it does, small cracks filled with water will get bigger and bigger.
Tim: That’s all the time for today folks, stop in and see the pros at Arbutus RV with any questions.
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Tim and Al: Happy & Cool Camping!
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