Freeing Up Space At Home

How To Prepare Your Recreational Vehicle For Long-Term Storage

12 May 2017

Billie Gonzalez

If you need to store your RV in a rented storage space for the long-term or over the winter, then there are many things you need to do to properly prepare it before you do so. RVs that have not been properly prepared for long-term storage are susceptible to damage from rodents and mechanical failures from sitting unattended. For this reason, it is vital that you make the effort to prepare your recreational vehicle for storage by following this procedure:

Step 1: Thoroughly Clean the Inside of Your RV

Since food particles and human trash are attractants for rodents and insects, you need to take the time to thoroughly clean out the inside of your RV before placing it into storage. While cleaning, make sure that you:

• remove all food and drinks stored in the RV
• wipe down all hard surfaces with disinfectant
• vacuum all carpets and soft surfaces
• remove all trash

When you finish cleaning the interior, you should open up all of the kitchen and bathroom cabinets, as well as the doors to the refrigerator and freezer, to allow them to breathe while your RV is being stored. This will keep them from developing an unpleasant odor.

Step 2: Dump All Clean and Waste Water from Your RV's Tanks

If you used your RV this season and have not yet dumped the waste water tank, then you should do so prior to storing your RV. In addition, due to the possibility of freezing temperatures, you should also remove all of the water from the clean water tank. If you do not dump your tanks before storage, then the liquids within them can freeze and cause the tanks to crack or suffer other damage. 

Step 3: Wash and Inspect Your RV for Any Damage

Once the interior of your RV has been cleaned and the tanks drained, then you need to wash and wax its exterior. Washing and waxing will help to protect your RV's paint job while it is being stored. As you are washing and waxing, check for any gaps in seams that need to be caulked or any damage under the RV that needs to be professionally repaired before putting it into storage. 

Step 4: Close All Curtains and Blinds 

Finally, when you park your RV in its new storage space, make sure that you close all of its curtains and window blinds. This will prevent the sun's rays from fading the carpet and interior fabrics while your RV is in storage.

To learn about your RV storage options, contact a company like Sentry Mini-Storage Inc.

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